tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383646633516777192024-03-13T11:24:45.016-04:00encouraging womenencouragingwomenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09283065006059900219noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-12668361154629658322017-08-15T06:00:00.000-04:002017-08-15T06:00:15.862-04:00Does Your Life Feel Cracked?<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Marvelous are Your works,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">And that my soul knows very well. (Psalm 139:14, NKJV)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">A few months ago, I leaned down to pick something up in the church parking lot not knowing what it was. On further examination, I realized it was a piece of jewelry. But, there was a problem. The bracelet had a crack directly in the center. I'd never known jewelry to do that before-just crack right down the middle. But there it was. That got me thinking about our lives. We go through things in life that make us fragil-it may make us crack under the weight and pressure. But, my friend Carolyn Knefley said it best. She says: "Teacups are like </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">lives, some are beautiful while others cracked, but they're all worthy </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">just because they were made." Though the bracelet wasn't a teapot, it's the same principle. Do you feel like your life is cracked? Let me encourage you ladies, God made you, so you're worthy. It doesn't matter what you're going through, it doesn't matter how bad the pain. You're worthy just because you were made.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Father, I ask You to give each reader the strength to get through what she's going through. No matter what the pain, no matter the discouragement, calm her heart. Calm her fears. Most of all Lord, remind her just how worthy she is. In Jesus Name, Amen. </span></span>Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-42546343399583160322017-08-08T06:00:00.000-04:002017-08-08T06:00:24.111-04:00An Identity Crisis<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502149847369_18346" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, </span><span style="font-size: large;">His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who </span><span style="font-size: large;">called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The royal air is here!" Those were news reports several years as </span><span style="font-size: large;">Prince Charles and Kate welcomed their first child into the world. The </span><span style="font-size: large;">media-both national and international were on the edge of their seats </span><span style="font-size: large;">wondering when the big moment would finally arrive. And when it did, </span><span style="font-size: large;">every news network and magazine reporter were there to capture it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever felt like you weren't as important as the world's </span><span style="font-size: large;">definition of royalty? Let me encourage you with some fantastic news. </span><span style="font-size: large;">God says you are more important than anything going on in this world! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ladies, you were so important to the Lord that He sent His son to die</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for you! In this verse, we're reminded of a few names that God has for </span><span style="font-size: large;">us. He calls us a royal priesthood, a chosen people! Did you get that? </span><span style="font-size: large;">He chose you! My sister, what is it you're struggling with today? Your </span><span style="font-size: large;">identity is only found in one person, one place. Jesus!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Father, I pray for each reader. Help her realize her identity is only f</span><span style="font-size: large;">ound in You. Show her that as special some people may think worldly </span><span style="font-size: large;">royalty is, You see her as so much more. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></div>
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Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-39721416645002119852017-08-01T09:15:00.000-04:002017-08-01T09:15:13.568-04:00A Shining Light<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9WMW0DXYEk/UznWhTJ4-DI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/_jLBs23EQvE/s1600/shirley+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9WMW0DXYEk/UznWhTJ4-DI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/_jLBs23EQvE/s1600/shirley+l.jpg" width="167" /></a>By Jamie Britt<br />
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mathew 5:16, NKJV)<br />
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"You have stage 4 ovarian cancer."<br />
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Those are words no woman ever wants to hear. But, those are the words my dear friend Shirley Lee<br />
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heard 5 years ago. She immediately had surgery and began aggressive chemo treatments. Ultimately though, the surgeries and treatments still didn't save her life.<br />
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I first met Shirley at a retreat last March. Until I was told by someone else, I never had a clue Shirley had cancer. That's not something she immediately shared. It's not that she was in denial about it, she just didn't want everyone focusing on that one thing. She didn't let the cancer define her, she let Christ define her. Shirley was a perfect example of this verse. She did let her light shine. When you were around Shirley, you knew the presence of God was in the room. She exuded it. What is it you're going through today? Is it cancer? Job loss? Marital problems? Let me encourage you, be like Shirley. Let your light shine. Be like the shirt someone had made in her honor that says "Shirley shines." Today, shine that light and shine it brightly. By the way, Shirley didn't lose her battle to cancer, she won her victory crown!<br />
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Father, thank You for Shirley and her life. I ask that You minister to each reader right where they are. Lord if they're facing what Shirley faced, give them the strength to shine Your light to the world. In Jesus name, Amen.<br />
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Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-35409225647224374882017-07-25T06:00:00.000-04:002017-07-25T06:00:31.361-04:00With Friends Like These<em><span style="font-size: large;">With Friends Like These…<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>“After Job had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the
Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not
spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and
seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for
yourselves. My servant will pray for you. And I will accept his prayer and not
deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me which is right
as my servant Job has.”</em> Job 42:7-9<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After my husband lost his job in Chicago several years ago, we spent months
trying to sell our house. The recession has just hit and home buyers were
jittery about buying property. After several months went by, I talked to the
pastor of congregational care at our church and asked if he could pay a visit
to our house to cheer us up. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After a short visit over coffee we shared with him a vision we had and how because
of the vision we’d sunk some money into the venture. But far from being
enthusiastic, he decided to give us a reality check.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He turned to my husband. “You’ll never get that money back,” he blurted out
with amazing confidence. “I’ve seen investments like that and they never work.”
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were sliding our way towards broke and needed prayer. What we got was an
uneducated opinion. I kicked myself for ever inviting one of Job’s friends
over. Why was I so foolish?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the above scripture, God reminds us to be very careful with those bearing
weighty burdens. Tread lightly with those suffering and be cautious before
suggesting that the victim has brought the situation on himself. And even if he
has, where does, “I told you so,” help anyone? Yes, Job’s friends sat down with
him in the ash heap as they watched him scrape his boils with pieces of broken
pottery but their “wisdom” only sunk Job to lower levels of despair.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And as I study Job, I have to ask myself if I’ve ever been one of Job’s
friends. I, who can have an overabundance of advice and an active tongue have
been known to add my two cents before I know what I’m talking about. It’s a
short trip across the line from helpful to an obnoxious know-it-all. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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And in case you missed it, Job’s friends were personally chastised by God.
Their pride and arrogance led God to tell them they needed offer a sacrifice
for how they treated Job. Now that’s a scary thought. It should make us all
cautious about giving advice. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We all need encouragement whether we have done some stupid or stupid has been
done to us. Life is hard enough without unnecessary guilt.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prayer: Lord, help us to consider what to say when we counsel those
struggling. Keep pride out of our exhortations and let our words never let
stumble. Let us not harbor resentments to those who have intentionally or
unintentionally hurt us. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcNhRWxByzM/WXZhpkzIJdI/AAAAAAAAAfA/WDvEBk9yNOIWT0rN2b7Lixk6kKpABPpowCLcBGAs/s1600/carol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="444" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcNhRWxByzM/WXZhpkzIJdI/AAAAAAAAAfA/WDvEBk9yNOIWT0rN2b7Lixk6kKpABPpowCLcBGAs/s200/carol.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Carol Grace Stratton has written two books. Her first book, Changing
Zip Codes is a devotional to help people move and adjust to a new location. Her
second book and debut novel, Lake Surrender tells the story of a single mom who
moves from California to Northern Michigan to start her life over as a cook in
a Christian camp.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Currently Carol lives in North Carolina with her husband, John She’s working
on a sequel to Lake Surrender and blogging at carolgstratton.com. You may
contact her at contact@changingzipcodes.com.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-59316963110397506662017-07-18T06:00:00.000-04:002017-07-18T06:00:08.372-04:00The Call<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: large;">"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and </span><span style="font-size: large;">your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come </span><span style="font-size: large;">to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14, NKJV</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"God has called you." We hear this statement constantly, don't we? </span><span style="font-size: large;">But, if you're anything like me, you wonder what in the world God has </span><span style="font-size: large;">called you to do. For Esther, it was to be queen of an entire nation. </span><span style="font-size: large;">God called her to save an entire nation of Jewish people. Though the </span><span style="font-size: large;">name of God isn't mention in the whole book, we see his fingerprint </span><span style="font-size: large;">all throughout. Just as He called Esther, God is calling you for such </span><span style="font-size: large;">a time as this. Maybe the call is to be a speaker. Maybe it's to write </span><span style="font-size: large;">a book. Let me encourage you ladies, seek the Lord diligently for His </span><span style="font-size: large;">instruction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Father, I pray for each reader. Lord, show her what her call is in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">serving You. Make it clear. In Jesus Name, Amen</span></div>
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Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-22059258338615958532017-07-11T06:00:00.000-04:002017-07-11T06:00:05.816-04:00Don't Change Your Name<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1499305895448_491295" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And He who formed you, O Israel:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have called you by your name;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You are Mine. (Isaiah 43:1, NKJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking through the bookstore, I spotted a row of cards. On closer </span><span style="font-size: large;">inspection, I realized they were "name cards." They were cards with a </span><span style="font-size: large;">person's name, a Scripture and what the person's name meant. As I </span><span style="font-size: large;">searched through, the Lord began speaking to my heart. Though the card </span><span style="font-size: large;">had a meaning written on it, it was what the world thought the name </span><span style="font-size: large;">meant. But ladies, there's an even deeper meaning. There's the meaning </span><span style="font-size: large;">that the Lord gives us. It's the meaning that's stamped on our heart. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He says that we are His. He created us, so therefore we have His name </span><span style="font-size: large;">stamped on our heart. No matter how were raised or what we go through, </span><span style="font-size: large;">nothing can take that name away or change it. Ladies, your name isn't</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">defeat. It isn't hopeless. It isn't unworthy. It's beautiful, worthy, </span><span style="font-size: large;">joy, and adored. There are so many more. What are you naming yourself </span><span style="font-size: large;">today? What name has someone else given you? Whatever that name is, if </span><span style="font-size: large;">it's negative, it isn't from God. It isn't from the one that created </span><span style="font-size: large;">you. Ladies, let's change our name. Let's change our name back to the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">one that the Lord gave us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord, I pray for my sisters. Give her the realization that her name is </span><span style="font-size: large;">precious in Your eyes. Let her know that the name You gave her, it's </span><span style="font-size: large;">the only one that truly matters. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-9462273426133395502017-07-04T06:00:00.000-04:002017-07-04T06:00:12.507-04:00Rejoice in the Prison<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;">
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<span class="text Phil-4-4" id="en-NKJV-29447" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rejoicing. What does that word mean? Does it mean that we like our </span><span style="font-size: large;">circumstances? Does it mean we understand what we're going through? </span><span style="font-size: large;">No. To rejoice means that no matter what, we have joy. We can not like </span><span style="font-size: large;">what we're going through, but we can still worship. We can still </span><span style="font-size: large;">praise God in the midst of our trial. In this verse, Paul was in a </span><span style="font-size: large;">prison. He wrote the entire chapter of Philippians in a prison cell. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The words joy or rejoice are found 14 times in the book. I think the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Lord is trying to get a message across to His people. Ladies, rejoice. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Rejoice through the cancer. Rejoice through the job loss. Rejoice through the </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">unwanted divorce. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. Will it be worth i</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">t? Absolutely! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the last year, I've had several things happen </span><span style="font-size: large;">in my life that could've caused me to go down in defeat. I chose to</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">rejoice in the midst of my circumstances. In my dear friend Carol </span><span style="font-size: large;">McLeod's Defiant Joy Bible study, she has a quote that I absolutely </span><span style="font-size: large;">love. "Our inner attitude doesn't have to reflect our outward </span><span style="font-size: large;">circumstances." So ladies, let me ask you, what prison do you find </span><span style="font-size: large;">yourself in? Is it cancer? Is it marital problems? Is it wayward </span><span style="font-size: large;">children? Let me encourage you, look up to the Lord and rejoice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Father, I pray for each reader today. Lord, may she find comfort in </span><span style="font-size: large;">Your truths today. May she rejoice in her trials. Help her see the </span><span style="font-size: large;">gold in the midst of the fire. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></span></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-45417355136990780342016-12-06T06:00:00.000-05:002016-12-06T06:00:05.786-05:00Faithful Is He<i>Through</i> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s mercies we are not consumed,<br /><span class="text Lam-3-22">Because His compassions fail not. T</span><span class="text Lam-3-23" id="en-NKJV-20378"><i>hey are</i> new every morning;</span><br /><span class="text Lam-3-23">Great <i>is</i> Your faithfulness. (Lamantations 3:22-23, NKJV)</span><br />
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<span class="text Lam-3-23">The conference had come to an end. The plans for next year was in the works. I only had one problem. I needed an assistant to attend with me, and so far I had had no success in securing one. I put a call out on social media but I received no response. As one last ditch attempt, I decided to ask a friend I've known for years. With no hesitation whatsoever, she agreed. Once again, God had proven himself faithful. He knew I needed an assistant and after many prayers, He saw fit to send just the right person my way. What have you been waiting on God to do in your life? Maybe it's that right job. Maybe it's having a child. Maybe it's a good medical report. Friend, let me encourage you...don't stop waiting and believing. Just when you think you've ran out of time and options, that's when He comes through and once again proves himself faithful.</span><br />
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<span class="text Lam-3-23">Father, thank You for your faithfulness. Thank You that You come through for us-not when we want it, but when you know it's the perfect time. I ask that you give my sweet sisters the desires of their heart. Lord, Let them see your faithfulness in new and fresh ways today. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span>Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-65187389480593253792016-09-06T06:00:00.000-04:002016-09-06T06:00:22.971-04:00Not Afraid to Trust Him<span class="text Prov-3-5" id="en-NKJV-16461">Trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> with all your heart,</span><br /><span class="text Prov-3-5">And lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, NKJV)</span><br />
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<span class="text Prov-3-5">About a month ago, a family member went in to the hospital with breathing complications as well as chest pain. We were told he had pneumonia but the doctors wanted to do a biopsy to be on the safe side. A week later, my phone rings. "It isn't good; he has cancer." My world felt like it had just collapsed. In that moment, I had to make a choice. Was I going to fall apart, or was I going to trust God? I chose to trust God. As the title of this post says, I'm Not Afraid to trust Him. A favorite song of mine says, "this isn't the first storm He's brought me through, and I'll come through this one too." I had to really put my faith in to action. Was I going to believe God is who He says He is, or was I going to let this news destroy my faith? I'm not saying it's been easy to always trust. Since that phone call, we've found that it's spread to his kidney, his liver and his prostate. I've had plenty of days where I've wondered why? I've had those days where I just didn't understand why he has to go through this. But, in all those questions I can also say that I'm not afraid to trust Him. I'm not afraid to trust the one who knows all and who has each of our days numbered. Ladies, are you going through something you feel you just can't put your full trust in Him? Let me encourage you, put your hope and trust in the God of all comfort. Let Him hold and carry you through your storm.</span><br />
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<span class="text Prov-3-5">Father, we thank You that we can put our complete trust in You. You won't disappoint and though we may not fully understand it, You know what's best. Give us the strength to keep trusting even when things seem hard and we can't take another step. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span>Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-60953114335820720552016-06-21T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-21T06:00:28.164-04:00Chosen and Loved<span class="text 1Pet-2-9" id="en-NKJV-30409">But you <i>are</i> a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)</span><br />
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<span class="text 1Pet-2-9">Chosen</span><br />
<span class="text 1Pet-2-9">Royalty</span><br />
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<span class="text 1Pet-2-9">You may hear those words and think of a queen or a president. Because of an election, a president was is cosen. Because of a family history of royalty, a queen was chosen and is therefore part of a royal family. But, I have news that's even greater for you. You were chosen by a God who loves you. In His eyes, you're a royal daughter of the King. No matter what is ever said to you, nothing can take that away from you. It doesn't matter if you grew up always being told you were nothing or would never amount to anything. According to a Father that loves you, you're royalty. You're chosen. And . . . you're worthy of that title. You (or I) didn't deserve it, but through God's redeeming grace and love, we're worthy of it. Ladies, take heart in that fact!</span><br />
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<span class="text 1Pet-2-9">Father, thank You for making us royalty. Thank You for choosing us to be your daughters. Always let us remember our place in You. In Jesus name, Amen.</span><span class="text 1Pet-2-9"> </span> Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-62698803405004289532016-05-10T06:00:00.000-04:002016-05-10T06:00:15.204-04:00Surrounded by a Wall of Prayer<span class="text Isa-41-10" id="en-NKJV-18462">Fear not, for I <i>am</i> with you; </span><span class="text Isa-41-10">Be not dismayed, for I <i>am</i> your God.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-41-10">I will strengthen you, </span><span class="text Isa-41-10">Yes, I will help you,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-41-10">I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NKJV</span><br />
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<span class="text Isa-41-10">As the invitation was given, I made my way to the altar. After kneeling down, I realized I was surrounded. I had a friend on my right and left as well as behind me praying with me. In that moment, I was surrounded by a wall. It wasn't a wall in a home. It was a wall of prayer. It was a wall of women saying, "We're here...we're praying you through." Just as I was surrounded by a wall of prayer that day, God surrounds us with His wall as well. It's could be a wall of protection. It could be a wall of strength. It also could be a wall of intercession. Whatever you need, He'll surround you with that wall. Today, what wall do you need to be surrounded by? Ask Him and then let Him come in and completely surround you with His love.</span><br />
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<span class="text Isa-41-10">Father, thank you for the many walls you surround us with. Thank you for the wall of prayer, the wall of protection and any walls we need. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span>Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-34131235810974291012016-03-29T06:00:00.000-04:002016-03-29T06:00:02.912-04:00Watch What You Say<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x1 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a writer, I love words. In fiction, I love finding just the right words for my character to use </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">when they speak to each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But one thing I discovered. I wasn't as careful when I chose the words I said to myself. I realized that I sai<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>d things to myself that I wouldn’t allow even the most evil character use. And that negative self-talk was having a huge negative affect on me. Unfortunately, I was beginning to believe the things I said t<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>o myself,and it was pulling me under.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe you do the same thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “I’m so stupid.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “I should just quit, I’ll never amount to anything.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “I’m ugly.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “I don’t know why anyone would want to hang out with me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “I can’t do anything right.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Statistics tell us that when we speak negative things to someone close t<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>o us, it takes anywhere </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">from eight to sixteen positive things to outweigh one negative remark. This holds true when we </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">talk to ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The truth is, each of us is unique and precious to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He paid the ultimate price to bring us back to Him. How can we denigrate what God este<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>ems? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think about how different your outlook might be if you spoke respectfully to yourself?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Join me today as I make the decision to watch my language.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3yQZzY3yUaw/VvlAAQIEKUI/AAAAAAAAAW8/qj7dhr1hlM0sRJpbLFM42p65DgiS7h0Gg/s1600/Edie%2BMelson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3yQZzY3yUaw/VvlAAQIEKUI/AAAAAAAAAW8/qj7dhr1hlM0sRJpbLFM42p65DgiS7h0Gg/s200/Edie%2BMelson.jpg" width="184" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Edie Melson is a woman with a passion to share what the love of God looks like in practical </span><span style="font-size: large;">application. Her books reflect her heart to help others hear from God and find His path for their </span><span style="font-size: large;">lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She’s penned numerous titles, including</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1ff3"><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">h</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">l</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> M</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">y</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> S</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ol</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">di</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">v</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">, P</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ay</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> fo</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> T</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">h</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">os</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> wi</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="_ pg-1_0"></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">h</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">L</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ov</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">d O</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">h</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> M</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">l</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ar</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">y</span></span><span class="pg-1ff1"><span style="font-size: large;"> and coming this summer,</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">h</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">l</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> M</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">y</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Ch</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">l</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">d i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Away</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">,</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> P</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ay</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> fo</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">h</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">’</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Apa</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><span class="pg-1ff1"><span style="font-size: large;"> She’s also the military family blogger at</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">G</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ui</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">d</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">pos</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">.org</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">. Her popular blog </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">or w</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ri</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">rs</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">,</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">he</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ri</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Conve</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">on</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">, re</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">c</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">he</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">hous</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">ds each month. She’s the Director</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> of t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">he</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">Bl</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ue</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Ri</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">dge</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> M</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ount</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ns</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Chri</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ri</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">rs</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> Confe</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">re</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">c</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> and the Social Media Director for</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">out</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">he</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">rn</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ri</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">rs</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> M</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">ga</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">z</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">n</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">. Connect on</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">w</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> and</span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">F</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">c</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="pg-1fc2 pg-1sc0"><span style="font-size: large;">book</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
<a class="l" href="http://www.amazon.com/While-My-Soldier-Serves-Military/dp/1617955892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437223821&sr=8-1&keywords=while+my+soldier+serves" target="_blank"></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-41357360357932762442016-03-22T06:00:00.000-04:002016-03-22T06:00:18.724-04:00Love at The Cross<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y0 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Romans 5:8 NKJV But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want you to go back with me two thousand years. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou're Mary<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>, Jesus' mother<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>.<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span> <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou're standing </span><span style="font-size: large;">there as they nail Him to that cross and you're watching the lashings they're giving Him ti<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>me and </span><span style="font-size: large;">time again. Jesus goes from seeing you as His mother to seeing you as someone needing a Savior<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I can't even begin to imagine the grief and pain Mar<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>y was experiencing. Seeing her only son </span><span style="font-size: large;">being tortured and beaten right in front of her was horrible. But ladies, as horrible as that was, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the greatest thing happened three da<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>y<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>s<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span> later<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>.<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span> Mary went back to the tomb and found that it was </span><span style="font-size: large;">empty! It wasn't the nails that held Him there, it was love. It was His love for us all. With Easter approaching</span><span style="font-size: large;">, let us not forget the sacrifice of love He shows.</span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou Lord for your gift of love. Help us to always keep that at the forfront of our minds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Jesus Name, <span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>A<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>men.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-86611619134227907132016-03-15T06:00:00.000-04:002016-03-15T06:00:02.446-04:00Not Guilty<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y0 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;">Romans 8:1 NKJV ere is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The time had come to close out the conference. I had asked La-T<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>an to repeat the song Not Guilty</span><span style="font-size: large;">from a previous time of worship during the weekend. The first time hearing the song, the words </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">struck a cord with me. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As the song was being sung, I stood to my feet and walked to the front of </span><span style="font-size: large;">the room. Once there, I knelt down in pra<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>yer<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>. The words began to really wash over me. For the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">last few years, I've experienced shame in different areas of my life. Most recently<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>, it's been in the </span><span style="font-size: large;">area of weight and also the feeling of never doing something good enough. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>All that shame and </span><span style="font-size: large;">guilt, I was carrying on my shoulders and it was choking the life out of me. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As the words sank </span><span style="font-size: large;">into my Spirit, the Lord began to speak to my heart. "I love you. I gave my life so you wouldn't </span><span style="font-size: large;">have to carry all the guilt and shame. Give it to me." <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As I began to let the Lord heal as onl<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>y He </span><span style="font-size: large;">can, the strangle it had on me began to lift. I realized that in the Lord's e<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>yes-the only one that </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">matters-I don't have to carry that shame. I can be free. There are still day when I have feelings </span><span style="font-size: large;">try to creep in, but I release them to the Lord. Ladies, toda<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>y you too can also release all the guilt </span><span style="font-size: large;">and shame you feel. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ou wern't meant to carry it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Father<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>, thank<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span> <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ou for taking all of our shame and guilt upon Yourself. <span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>Thank <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ou for releasing </span></div>
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1ye pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;">us for that bondage. I pray for my sister<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>. Help her release those feelings over to <span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ou. In Je<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>sus </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Name, <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Amen</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-39858514466400651972016-03-01T06:00:00.000-05:002016-03-01T06:00:04.499-05:00My Hand In His<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y0 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While attending a writers conference, God gave me a special picture. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As the worship leader </span><span style="font-size: large;">began to sing, God's presence took over the room. Sitting in the middle of the front row<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>, La-T<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>an </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Murphy took my hand and pulled me to my feet. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As I stood, a picture began to take shape. I saw</span><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus take my hand and start to lead me through Heaven for the first time. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As I turned to hug </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">La-T<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>a<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>n, I could picture the Lord hugging me and saying, "child, welcome home." Ladies, </span><span style="font-size: large;">whether you're at a writers conference, in a church service or in your home, God has you in the </span><span style="font-size: large;">palm of His hand and He's saying to you, "welcome home, my child."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Father<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>, thank <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou for always welcoming us home. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Thank <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou for the mental pictures you bring </span><span style="font-size: large;">to our mind. Let us never lose the feeling of being welcomed b<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>y <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>ou. In Jesus Name, <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Amen.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-4698078937249645282016-02-23T06:00:00.000-05:002016-02-23T06:00:14.266-05:00Pain<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pain</span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.</span></span></i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> 2 Corinthians 12:9</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pain is a relative term. As an RN on a busy
orthopaedic unit, I learned that the slightest twinge can make a grown man cry.
But I live with more than twinges, my nursing career sidelined by a pain that
gnaws at me day and night. My pain begins with a capital “P”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I walk a hard road. Not one system in my body is
untouched, and no one knows why, but God meets me in my pain. Jesus understands
because He suffered too. In the midst of my pain, God gives me Himself. When I
can’t take another step, He carries me. In the middle of the night God speaks
to me. When I feel like giving up, God reminds me that He has a purpose for me.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe you suffer too. I can’t tell you how to do it.
We each have our own path to trod. God’s purpose for me is not His purpose for
you, but I know He has one. I know because He enables me every day. I can speak
love to a hurting soul. I can write a poem that touches a wounded spirit. I can
understand when someone loses heart and offer a listening ear. If my aching
body can minister to someone’s hurting spirit, I am blessed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Father, speak to those who hurt today. The source of
their pain doesn’t matter. Your comfort is for everyone. Thank you that for
caring enough to teach me to trust You every day. My pain shows that You’re not
finished with me yet. Help me honor You by facing this trial in Your strength.
Enable me to finish well because Your grace is sufficient for my every need.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">©
Copyright Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, February 16, 2016</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9p02viBwa8/VsvA__5I8UI/AAAAAAAAAWI/Gw5TkJ02LoA/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9p02viBwa8/VsvA__5I8UI/AAAAAAAAAWI/Gw5TkJ02LoA/s200/IMG_3562.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Norma Gail
is the author of the Christy Award nominated contemporary Christian romance, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Land of My Dreams</span></i><span style="font-size: large;">. A women’s Bible study
leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at
ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She
is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and
the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the
mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult
children.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connect
with Norma:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Website: </span></span><a href="http://www.normagail.org/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">www.normagail.org</span></span></a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-44258748854955112992016-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:002016-02-09T06:00:12.061-05:00Comparisonitis<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y0 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="passage-display-bcv">1 Peter 5:8 </span><span class="passage-display-version">NKJV</span><br />
<span class="text 1Pet-5-8" id="en-NKJV-30474">Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I want to take you back to the very last facebook post or text message you received. What was </span><span style="font-size: large;">it? W<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>as it a friend telling you about how good her outing was that <span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>YOU didn't get invited to? W<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>as </span><span style="font-size: large;">it a picture where you believe she looks better than you? This past weekend, I got an of<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ficial </span><span style="font-size: large;">name for this deadly disease for most women. My dear friend, Brenda Blankenship refers to it as</span></div>
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y4 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;">"comparisonitis". If you're anything like me, you suf<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>fer with this ever<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>y day<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>. For me, it doesn't have </span><span style="font-size: large;">to be a facebook post or text message. It can be a lady in the choir who is a better<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span> first soprano. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It can be a friend who I think is a much better writer than me. It's a friend who has a book (or </span><span style="font-size: large;">several books out long before I ever have my first one written. Ladies, God doesn't want us </span><span style="font-size: large;">comparing ourselves to others. He made us each individually<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>. H<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>e made us with our own talents </span><span style="font-size: large;">and abilities. T<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>oda<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>y<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>,<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span> let us take God at His W<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>ord that we're all unique in H<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>is sight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Father<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>, I pray for the sisters reading this post. Let each one of us know how special we are to <span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>You<span class="_ pg-1_4"></span>. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Remind each of us that we're created with a ver<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>y unique purpose and only <span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>ou can fulfill it in </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">our lives.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> In Jesus Name, <span class="_ pg-1_5"></span>Amen.</span></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-26609715990216635972016-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:002016-02-02T06:00:07.549-05:00No Place Like Home <span style="font-size: large;"> In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2, NKJV)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Go back with me to a scene in a well-known movie, The Wizard of Oz. In this movie, Dorothy is looking for that sacred place, home. She tries to take the shortcut to get there but quickly realizes it's a bad idea. She finally understands that if she stays the course, she'll eventually make it home. That's how it is in life. We try to take the shortcuts, but each time we come running back to God wondering why we're in such a mess. This verse lets us know that He has a place prepared for us...if we'll only follow Him and stop trying to take the shortcuts. I know the shortcut may seem easier because we seem to be living on easy street, but I guarantee, it will catch up with us. Stay in His will and you'll make it home. As a dear friend of mine, Brenda Blankenship reminded me, "when you're in God's will, you're going to be in Satan's way."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Father, I lift up my readers. Give us all the strength to stay the course-the course you have planned for us. It's so much better than anything we could ever plan or any shortcuts we could take. In Jesus Name, amen.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-27440782525610917082016-01-26T06:00:00.001-05:002016-01-26T06:00:08.567-05:00BELIEVE<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">La-Tan and I met last year at the 2015 Writers Advance Bootcamp and have loved one another ever since. La-Tan and I pray that you will be encouraged in this new year to just believe! Welcome <br />La-Tan.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></u>
<u><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></u>
<u><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BELIEVE </span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">by </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">La-Tan Roland Murphy</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">My dear friend, Paula, gave me a tiny charm years ago. One powerful word is etched on its silver facing: BELIEVE.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">So simple.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">So powerful. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">But, let's get real: Believing is painfully difficult at times.</span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought maybe some of you might need to be reminded today of this one simple, powerful word: BELIEVE.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I do!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps, some of you are struggling to believe that your life counts. Matters. Makes any kind of difference - to anyone on the planet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Friend, I've "been there, done that, and bought the T-Shirt" - a few times. I'm pretty sure we all have. </span></span></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> "</span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know what you are holding onto today that's hindering your ability to believe with abandon. I'm guessing life has beaten you up pretty hard. Maybe the one person you put your hope and trust in failed you, betrayed you. You're left questioning: "How could God allow such pain?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of us struggle to believe God has a good plan for our lives, especially when our way is rocky. Struggle to believe we are enough. God is enough. For all of our days - enough.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Each night, we lay our weary heads on our pillows, drifting off to sleep, believing in something. Mostly the wrong things: Our coworkers will be on time. Our boss will pay us what we deserve, and on-time. Our car will start when the key is placed in the ignition. The the sun will rise again tomorrow, without question. </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The crazy thing is, the largest portion of our pint-sized faith is invested in something, or</span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">someone, without the least bit of hesitation: We choose to </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BELIEVE: </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The airline pilot (we know nothing about) is fully capable. With seat-belts firmly clamped, we snuggle-in for travel comfort with magazines in hand, tiny packages of peanuts, and juice to wash them down. </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BELIEVING</span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> in the capabilities of perfect stranger - the pilot - as he maneuvers the aircraft some 30-40,000 feet above the ocean, through bitter storms. </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's be honest: Sometimes it's difficult to snuggle into BELIEVING in a loving, powerful, omnipotent God. But, I choose to believe. I BELIEVE he is truly enough. I choose to confess with my mouth and BELIEVE in my heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and he will see me through every storm of life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I know... I'm standing on invisible tip-toes on my hand-made little "soap-box." But with good reason. You see, my heart is weary of watching the amazing people I love - living in despair and hopelessness. Because the truth is: As we refuse to BELIEVE in the power of God's word and his sovereignty, our once confident heart breaks leaving us wide-open and vulnerable. Our belief system is gradually reshaped by opinions of others and worldly points of view. Suddenly: Wrong seems right and right seems wrong as our belief system is broken.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">At my house, when something breaks (my computer for example), I google-search seeking answers written by the original creator. Who better to know exactly how to mend the inner workings of my broken computer than the one who actually created it?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">When your life breaks, when my life breaks, instead of searching for answers to temporarily soothe our emptiness, let's agree to: Simply choose to </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BELIEVE </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">in the One who created us. The One who knows the number of the hairs on our heads. What if we sought for HIS original, sovereign truth - running to him for all of life's unanswerable questions?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">More than anything, this is what I want you to do today. It's what I'm choosing to do: Simply </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BELIEVE</span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> in the One who created you. Choose to believe His Holy Word holds all the answers, and all the mending-power needed for every broken experience life offers. Choose to believe God has a marvelous plan mapped-out for a very special life - YOURS! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">My friend Paula </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BELIEVED</span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> these things and fought the good fight of faith while cancer ravaged her physical body. Now, she is experiencing the beauty of heaven healthy, strong, and free! </span></span></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">CHOOSING to BELIEVE</span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w6" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">regardless of our present pain, fixes our eyes on future joys. Paula knew without a shadow of doubt her best days were ahead of her. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">No matter what you are going through, keep the faith. Greater things are yet to come. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Be:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">_Fierce.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">_Relentless. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">and...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg10Ca7DMz4/VqZpBDzjk0I/AAAAAAAAAU8/Fgog_zO_pDo/s1600/1003245_1249527915074321_9193888691385594843_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg10Ca7DMz4/VqZpBDzjk0I/AAAAAAAAAU8/Fgog_zO_pDo/s200/1003245_1249527915074321_9193888691385594843_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">La-Tan Roland Murphy is a speaker, vocalist, and freelance writer with a passion for encouraging people to live life to the fullest. As an established teacher of the word, La-Tan finds great joy in helping others discover their God given purpose.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 pron w3" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">She brings a unique style of humor to the platform, making her listeners feel as though they have known her for years. With humility and vulnerability, La-Tan often shares her most embarrassing moments of life as a way of freeing others to be real.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"> You can learn more about La-Tan by visiting : http://latanmurphy.com/</span></span><br />
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Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-49014425952508281882016-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:002016-01-19T06:00:11.226-05:00Being Dedicated<span style="font-size: large;">Ruth 1:16 NKJV</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Ruth said: "</span><span class="text Ruth-1-16"><span style="font-size: large;">Entreat me not to leave you, </span></span><span class="text Ruth-1-16"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Or to</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> turn back from following after you; </span></span><span class="text Ruth-1-16"><span style="font-size: large;">For wherever you go, I will go; </span></span><span class="text Ruth-1-16"><span style="font-size: large;">And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; </span></span><span class="text Ruth-1-16"><span style="font-size: large;">Your people </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">shall be</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> my people, </span></span><span class="text Ruth-1-16"><span style="font-size: large;">And your God, my God.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="text Ruth-1-16"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text Ruth-1-16"></span><div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y0 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine with me for a moment. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>our husband has died. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou're left with no way to support </span><span style="font-size: large;">yourself. W<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>hat do you do? Well, Ruth goes w<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ith her mother<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>-in-law and s<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ister<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>-in-law<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>. Once in </span><span style="font-size: large;">the city<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>, from Naomi's urging, one woman returns home. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>The other refuses to leave her mother-</span><span style="font-size: large;">in-law's side. Ruth tells Naomi that wherever she lives, she will live also. Her people w<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ill be </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ruth's and her God will be Ruth's God. What dedication Ruth showed to Naomi. </span></div>
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y4 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y4 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span><span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to God, are will as dedicated to Him? Do we dedicate ourselves to God as Ruth did to a human being? Ladies, if she could dedicate herself to another person in that wa<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>,<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span> why can't we do the same with the Lord? In this new year<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>, let's strive to be more dedicated to God.</span></div>
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y8 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1y8 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-size: large;">Father<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>, help each of us be fully dedicated and sold out to <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou in this new year<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>. <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>As Ruth </span><span style="font-size: large;">dedicated herself to Naomi, help us to sell ourselves out for <span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>ou this year<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>. In Jes<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>us Name, <span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>Amen.</span></div>
</div>
<br />Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-65817520632458071992016-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:002016-01-12T06:00:00.148-05:00Lord, I Need Your Hope<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Lamentations 3:24</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">“The </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lord</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">is</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> my portion,” says my soul,</span><span class="text Lam-3-24"><span style="font-size: large;">“Therefore I hope in Him!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">"You will
need an assistant at Bootcamp next year." My dear friend reminded me of
this fact after I had asked for her to step in and help get me to where I
needed to be at this upcoming conference.
She explained that the people helping me would be missing out on
valuable class time they'd spent a great deal of money to attend. While my head knew she was right, my heart
said otherwise. I was comfortable with
the ones I knew best assisting me. As my
emotions and depression began taking a firm grip, those feeling were running
away from me faster than I could catch up.
Finally in absolute despair, I cried out to God. "Lord, I need your hope and strength. I can't make it through this alone." As
I continued to call out the name of Jesus begging for a life preserver, once
again my emotions settled back to bearable heights. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">My situation didn't change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My need for an assistant was still
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">What changed was that I was
finally letting God step in and take control of the situation. I was finally realizing that no matter how
much the depression and despair had me in its grip, God was still greater. His peace was greater</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">In your life, what has had you off balance
emotionally? What has had you crying out to God for a life preserver? Let me
encourage you, don't do it alone. You'll
wear yourself out. Let Him take you by
the hand and lead you through the troubled waters.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;">Father,
thank You for providing a lifeline when we can't go on anymore. I pray for each reader as she navigates the
troubled waters of life. Show her that
she doesn't have to do it alone and </span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h1 pg-1yf pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;">that <span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_0"></span>ou're there just waiting for her to<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span> cry out to <span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>Y<span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>ou. In Je<span class="_ pg-1_3"></span>sus Name, <span class="_ pg-1_2"></span>A<span class="_ pg-1_1"></span>men.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">
</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-62990580716070211662016-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:002016-01-05T08:49:08.304-05:00Walking Through The Valley<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 23:4 NKJV </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,</span><span class="text Ps-23-4"><span style="font-size: large;">I will fear no evil;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-4"><span style="font-size: large;">For You </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">are</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> with me;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-4"><span style="font-size: large;">Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"I'm sorry to tell you this, but
Miss Thelma has just passed away." This was the news we received
during our Judgement House a few months ago. To say we were in shock
was an understatement. Miss Thelma was the type of lady who was a
prayer warrior. She would pray over every pew and the choir loft
each Sunday morning. With this news, our church began walking
through a valley. As we walked through, we couldn't stay there. We
had to keep going with what God was having us do. We couldn't stay
in that place of sadness and grief; we had to move beyond it because
God wouldn't want us to stay in a place of grief. Just as we
couldn't stay in the valley from Miss Thelma's death, God doesn't
want us to stay in the valley of financial despair, job loss or
sickness. What valley are you facing today? Let me encourage you,
ask the Lord to help you move forward in what He has for you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Father, thank You for the valleys of
life. But God, help each us to move past the valleys of our life.
Give us the strength we need to move forward in what You have for us.
In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-42603150936372171042015-05-05T06:00:00.000-04:002015-05-05T06:00:10.044-04:00A Process of Forgiveness<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Ephesians 4:31-32</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 500;"> </span>(NKJV)</span></h1>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span class="text Eph-4-31" id="en-NKJV-29304" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. </span><span class="text Eph-4-32" id="en-NKJV-29305" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"My husband has had an affair and
we've separated." These were the words I read in an email last
year from a dear friend. What do you do? My reaction was to defend
her and put the people involved in their place and let them know
exactly what I thought of them. After awhile though, I had to put
the situation in God's hands. You see, even though it wasn't my
marriage, for my friend's sake, I wanted to step in and fix it. I
had to come to the realization that no matter how much I wanted to, I
couldn't. I had to go through the process of forgiveness. I had to
forgive her husband and also forgive the lady he had the affair with.
I still have days where I want to ring their necks and tell them what
I think, but I'm much closer to the forgiveness and grace point that
I was before. What or who in your life do you still need to forgive.
Though it won't happen overnight, if you let God take over and have
complete control, you'll get there.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Father, help us each to forgive. We
know it's a process Lord. In your time, show us the grace to release
the people and the pain into Your hands. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-63074014785191328532015-04-28T06:00:00.000-04:002015-04-28T06:00:08.295-04:00Through It All<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of you reading this
article have possibly come to our morning show in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee and have heard me share my story. Some of you will be
reading it for the very first time. This is not a story I necessarily
like to tell because in the telling of it sometimes my mind will
flashback to the most painful time of my life but by the time I
finish, I can smile and say, “Thank You God for healing me. I know
that You spared my life to tell the world what a Great God You Are
and that You are still the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In late January of 2012, I
was diagnosed with inoperable Colorectal Cancer. I had an idea that
I had a major problem but wouldn’t speak it to anyone. The moment
I heard I had cancer I knew that God would be my only hope and that
He would have to see me through it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband, RW, and I got
home that afternoon and I sat down and began to write Scriptures of
Healing. I made copies of what I had written and posted them in
areas I knew I would be…the kitchen cabinets, my dressing table
mirror, the kitchen table, the bedside table, and on the door of the
bathroom cabinet.</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In March I began
treatments of chemo and radiation. It was the day before my 65</span><sup><span style="font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
birthday and I had to go into the “Chemo Suite” and get my first
chemo treatment and then they attached a chemo pump that would go
with me until Friday afternoon when I would return to the “Chemo
Suite” and would have it removed. This would go on every week for
the next few months. On Mondays it would be plugged into my port, On
Fridays it would be removed.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know if any of
you have experienced a Chemo Pump but you are attached to it 24/7.
You eat with it, you sleep with it, you shower with it (without
getting it wet…that was an ordeal), and in my case…I performed on
our show with it. Not only that but literally every minute,
especially in the quiet of the night, you hear it go off as it shoots
that medicine into your system.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Not only did I have this
chemo pump on but everyday, Monday through Friday, as soon as the
show was over, RW would get me into the car and take me to Knoxville
to UT Med Center to the “Radiation Suite” to have a radiation
treatment. You become quickly acquainted with other patients and
their families when each of you is in the waiting room everyday at
the same time each day. You tend to become another kind of family.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Three days after all of
these treatments started, as I was getting ready to go to the theater
for our show, I brushed through my hair and what a shock, the brush
was full of the hair and I had a big bald spot where the hair had
been. I continued to brush and finally just called my husband into
the room. He came in and the look on his face said it all. I told
him to go get his electric razor and just shave my head. He balked
momentarily but did as I had asked.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I need to tell you that I
have worn wigs off and on through the years and actually had several
wigs. One I had specifically bought, just in case I needed it, for
the possible hair loss. The others were older ones I had for several
years to use on ‘bad hair days’.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Two months into radiation,
I had third degree burns on the inside of my legs and in other
private areas. I could no longer wear anything but caftans because
if anything touched my skin, the flesh would peel off in layers of
skin and would leave the most painful open skin with blisters. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I need to inject that up
to this time, I had gone into the theater everyday to try to
perform/sing. Why do I use the word perform? In the ministry that
God gave us, we are in world of many people who don’t know Jesus
Christ and His love. We don’t preach because these are people who
have paid for entertainment and give them that but through that
entertainment we give them Jesus, His love, and hope through Him. I
share my testimony of God’s healing right before intermission and
when we go out to the lobby after the first half, many people come to
us and share their needs, their healing, ask for prayer, etc. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of
treatment, I would be able to barely get through a show, then it was
about half of a show, then it became one song, and finally I couldn’t
go in at all. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One afternoon when I was
so weak and burnt from the radiation, my Radiation/Oncologist came in
as I was getting off of the radiation table. He told me that he was
going to give me two weeks off of radiation and then we would pick it
back up again as I had to finish the treatment. He said, “we’re
going to pray and believe that God will regenerate your skin somewhat
and we can get this done. But to be honest, if you live, you’ll be
in a wheelchair the rest of your life with a colostomy.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">RW got me home that
afternoon but I hadn’t told him anything that the doctor had said.
I was too weak to even talk.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When he got me home and
into our bedroom and I began to cry out to God. I was crying out the
Scriptures that I had posted all over my house and I closed with,
“God just go on and take me now, take me now! I’m ready to go!
I can’t endure this any longer and I can’t put my family through
anymore. But if You still have something left for me to do…I need
you to heal me!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On December 28, 2012, RW
and I was in an examination room waiting for my Colorectal Specialist
and the door opened, my doctor walked in, pointed his finger at me
and said, “I pronounce you cured of Cancer!” My latest CT scan
had showed the tumor was gone! Hallelujah!!!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On December 16</span><sup><span style="font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
of 2013, after months of CTs, bloodwork, and numerous tests, RW and I
were sitting across from my Oncologist and he said, “Donna, you are
our Miracle patient. All of the doctors involved in your case have
sat down and discussed it many times and we all realize it was your
determination and your faith that made you Whole!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, determination and
faith works but be sure and add THE WORD OF GOD with it. What better
prescription can you have.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And so as I share this
rather lengthy testimony with you, I have to tell you that I must
give a shorter version in the theater but we’ve seen God take it
and use for His Glory. I know that is the reason God healed me and I
know that He can do the same for you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Donna Blackwood</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFkBCt0VJeo/VT8P0R4R0MI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/H1yus-HOKIU/s1600/jamie%2Bguest%2Bblog%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFkBCt0VJeo/VT8P0R4R0MI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/H1yus-HOKIU/s1600/jamie%2Bguest%2Bblog%2B1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Donna Blackwood likes to say she is one-half of the dynamic duo, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">the other half being her husband of 50 years, RW Blackwood.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">The Blackwood Singers formed in 1967 where Donna joined her </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">husband of two years traveling and singing all over America. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Donna has recorded on the Benson Heartwarming Impact label. She </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">has had several songs in the Gospel Charts in the early seventies</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">, "Through It All", "He Was There All The Time", Find No Fault </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">in Him" "Put Your Hand in the Hand", and several others as part </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">of the Blackwood Singers group.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">In the 1976, the group moved to Nashville where her husband </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">signed the group to the Capitol recording label and had six </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Billboard Country Top 100 Charted Songs.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">In the 1987, RW got a call from the Blackwood Brothers asking him </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">to move back to Memphis and join the group. Donna semi-retired </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">to raise their two children, Andrea and Robbie, while RW was </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">working with the Blackwood Brothers.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">In 1990, the couple moved to Branson, Missouri and reformed the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Blackwood Singers, with their adult children becoming a part of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">the group, singing the Ozark Country Jubilee and Shepherd of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Hills.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">In the year 2000, RW and Donna moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">to join RW's brother, Ron, and sing at the Louise Mandrell </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Theater. RW's brother and his wife retired to Texas but Donna </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">and RW remained in Pigeon Forge where they still perform their </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Blackwood Morning Show six days a week at the Smoky Mountain Opry </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Theater.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">In the year 2016, RW and Donna will be moving back to Branson, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Missouri where they will rejoin their children and their eleven </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">grandchildren. They will be performing at the Starlite Theater </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">as the morning show opening in mid-March of 2016.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">Donna shares her testimony of healing everyday at the theater and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">knows that God healed her to tell her story, to give people hope, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">to let them know that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">forever.</span></span></div>
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Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738364663351677719.post-88930657473046144302015-04-21T06:00:00.000-04:002015-04-21T06:00:02.009-04:00You Are My Strength<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; line-height: 28px;"> Psalm 19:14 NIV May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing </span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; line-height: 28px;">in your sight, O LORD, my Rock</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; line-height: 28px;"> and my Redeemer.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I want to focus on those last few
words, "my strength and my redeemer."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last few weeks, the Lord has
had me focusing on the last part of this verse. I have had days
where if I didn't have Him, I'd completely lose it. And I'm sure, with
this, many readers, I'm not alone. Ladies, let me encourage you to lean on Him. When you feel like you can't take another step,
let Him be your strength. Let Him take the battle. It's not ours to
fight anyway, so let's stop trying.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Father, help us all to realize that You
are our strength and redeemer. Help us to release those battles,
those fears, to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></div>
Jamie Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.com3