tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29453060666975091022024-03-05T16:13:21.404-08:00MY DAILY NIBBLEDaily Bible devotionsDarlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-89747964657352499802017-07-18T16:21:00.000-07:002017-07-18T16:29:26.164-07:00xxxDarlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-16922889699481041932014-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:002014-04-01T15:39:41.670-07:00A Few Points Off (Luke 1)<h3 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The people were amazed at his
teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers
of the law.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Luke 1:22<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>A Few Points Off</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Connie L. Peters</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<h3 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">When I was in junior high and high school, the teachers held an annual
honor banquet. Students on the regular and high honor roll were invited. Every
year, my grades were eligible, but being shy and having nothing nice to wear
anyway, I decided I wouldn’t go until I was a senior. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In my senior year, I had some tough classes, physics in particular. During
the last nine weeks I was barely hanging in there to be qualified for the banquet.
One day, I sat in study hall thinking hard about one exceptionally tough
problem. I finally figured it out, finished it up and went to class. Before the
teacher entered, my fellow students were discussing the problem. Apparently I
was the only one who came up with the answer. But my shyness prevented me from
telling anyone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">However, the guy who sat beside me looked on my paper. He grew excited,
seeing that I had understood the challenging exercise. But in the final
calculation, he came up with a different answer. In the rush of the moment, I changed
my answer to what he had and we turned in our homework. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When the teacher asked someone to explain their work, the student who learned
from me volunteered. The teacher pointed out his error. My answer had been
right. Those few points were enough to knock my grade down to a C which was
enough to disqualify me for the honor banquet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a lesson both in taking the opportunity while I had it and more
importantly to not be so easily persuaded by others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Mark 1, the people were excited about Jesus, the way he taught,
healed and performed miracles. In droves, they followed him everywhere. But
when it came to the crucifixion, they went along with the Jewish leaders and
the crowd. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Trust Jesus and, in confidence, love God and others in the wisdom and
Spirit He provides, regardless of what the world or even what some religious leaders
say. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Connie L. Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125060954159078551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-23392528567238437072014-03-11T13:32:00.000-07:002014-03-11T13:32:00.084-07:00READY OR NOT, HERE HE COMES (Matthew 24)
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><em>I’m not just saying this for some future
generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take
place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.</em></span> (Matthew 24:35, Message)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> As a child born shortly after the mid-century mark, I would think on how neat the millennium would be. I would be forty-five years old. Of all the people ever born, I was one of the fortunate few to experience it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of the joyful anticipation I expected, the world went into panic mode. The world as we knew it would come to an end because computers weren't originally programmed to change 1999 to 2001. Some people went into full panic mode, stacking up with supplies, buying alternate power sources, collecting water, and the like.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Among Christians. some hoped the occasion would bring the Lord's return. (I was tickled to discover people thought the same thing, back in 999, and if the Lord doesn't return before then, they will expect it in 2999.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Relief and reality swept the world in the non-event the dates turned out to be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Matthew 24, and elsewhere, Jesus gives us a list of signs of His return. They are as true today as the day He first spoke them ("my words won't wear out"). He makes it equally clear that we can best prepare for the His second coming by living for him each day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I once heard a man say, "I wish I could serve God without family commitments, with an occasional visit with a prostitute." (I may have forgotten some of the words, but no, I'm not making it up.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That's the attitude that Jesus warns us against. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a personal theory: every generation will experience signs that suggest Jesus is coming soon. When I was a child, the establishment of the nation of Israel was one such event.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God doesn't want a generation to think, "It's not going to happen in my lifetime. I don't have to prepare." So He gives each of us the hope, the incentive to live for Him with all our hearts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
Whether we are ready--or not--He is coming.<br />
<br />
Let us live today with an eye on tomorrow.Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-89453617045620917582014-03-07T01:00:00.000-08:002014-03-07T01:00:04.516-08:00OUT OF FOCUS (Matthew 23)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that’s wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons? 23-24</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This verse struck me as a writer. It's in the middle of Jesus's diatribe against the Pharisees and other religious leaders.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I have a friend who says her critique group will argue over the placement of a comma for hours. I just don't get it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don't misunderstand me. Grammar is important, and I'm blessed to have a pretty good handle on the rules of the English language.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">But when would-be writers tell me they don't dare try because they don't use good grammar, I want to shake sense into their heads. Yes, editors want to see "clean" manuscripts, ones without mistakes that would force spell-check to bury the page in a flood of red blood.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Are there not computer programs to check grammar? Are there not critique partners to point out what the computer misses? Are there not classes and books to study until at last you master the language?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">A writer must have a story, one that forces her to write. He can gain grammar skills. She can improve her story-telling gift. But not everyone who understands grammar can write.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jesus accuses the religious leaders of the same mistake. They understood commas and semi-colons to the nth degree. They taught every one around them the laws. But they ignored the story--God's story for them, the Chosen People, and the rest of the world. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">How can someone write a story with conflict, beginning, middle and end, if all they do is tear about each sentence apart without looking at its place in the story?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">How can God write our life stories if we focus solely on what is spelled out as right and wrong, and don't ask God to light the path ahead? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Know the rules--and move forward. God is the ultimate editor. He will publish each author who signs the contract with the blood of Christ. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Of course He doesn't ignore those mistakes, but that's a lesson for another day.</span>Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-70491491271477414972014-03-04T01:00:00.000-08:002014-03-04T01:00:09.279-08:00WEDDING INVITATION (Matthew 22)<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few
make it.’”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (Matthew 22:14, Message)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Escalating
tension is a plot device writers learn. Something bad happens to start the
story. More and even more bad things fill the story until the final “black
moment,” when the hero wins the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus’s
parable reminds me of the escalation factor. First the King invites the lords
and ladies of the kingdom to his son’s wedding.
They all reject the invitation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The king
invited them a second time. They gave lame excuses. Instead of sitting inside Westrminster
Abbey with William and Kate, they weeded their gardens and worked in their shops.
A few of them killed the messengers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The king
leveled that city, but he still had a problem: he wanted guests at his son’s
wedding. He sent his servants to the
busiest marketplace in town. Like barkers at a carnival, they caught everyone
passing by, handing them a golden ticket to the most important event of their
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">These
people knew the value of the golden ticket. They went home, scrubbed their skin
clean, laundered their best clothes, and prepared for the wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">All except
one. He showed up at the wedding in the same clothes he was wearing when he
received the invitation. He got tossed into hell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s not
enough to belong to the family. The upper echelon of the kingdom was invited,
and they refused. It’s not enough if your parent believe if you don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s not
enough to receive the invitation but ignore the steps. The one man didn’t
exchange his dirty old clothes for the ones provided for him. We can’t get in
the kingdom unless we are clothed in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We’re all
invited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But hdo we
R.S.V.P.?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-49114983238324451652014-02-28T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-28T01:00:11.195-08:00ROCKY ROAD (Matthew 21) <div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ROCKY
ROAD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered;
whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed. </span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Matthew 21:44 Message)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rocks: Good or bad?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It depends. Maybe you ran into a rock with a
bicycle and fell. Maybe a rock hit your windshield and it cracked. For
thousands of year, people have used rocks as murder weapons and catapulted them
in times of war. Stoning was the official manner of capital punishment in
ancient Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No wonder Jesus speaks of Himself as shattering
and smashing those who don’t believe in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, wait a minute. Isn’t God described as the
Rock who shelters believers? David used that image a lot, like this one: “<span class="text">The</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">is my rock,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">my fortress</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">and my deliverer;</span>
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">my
shield</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and
the horn</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">of
my salvation,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">my stronghold.</span>” (Psalm 18:2, NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The definitions of rock and rocky suggest a
similar dichotomy: A rock may cause you to shake violently or to be upset. It
may also mean moving forward at a steady pace or to be extremely effective.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Think about figures of speech:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rock the boat</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rock-and-roll</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rocky road</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rock solid</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rock bottom</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rock hard</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rock climbing</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stone cold</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A “rock,” referring to the size of a diamond in a ring</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe when we stand on the rock, we feel
invincible. Underneath the rock, we are hopelessly crushed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last summer, I got caught up in the TV program, “The
Hero,” hosted by the actor known as (what else?) the Rock. After an exercise
that tested physical strength, I almost turned it off. There’s more to being a
hero than having John Elway’s physique.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m glad I didn’t. That same episode, a
middle-aged house mom walked stairs without rails at the top of a skyscraper. Earlier
in the episode we had learned she was afraid of heights. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the Rock had called her, and she <i>would </i>answer. She took a step. “I won’t
let fear defeat me.” She took a second step, repeated her affirmation, and
continued until she reached the top step. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I fell in love with her, and so did America. The
show later went on to test other hero attributes such as mental alertness,
problem solving, team work, honesty, and communication.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone you could trust. A rock. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God is that kind of Rock times a thousand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is God the Rock on which we stand—or are you in the
path of His rockslide?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-58554269839078615662014-02-25T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-25T01:00:00.217-08:00ALL CHRISTIANS ARE CREATED EQUAL (Matthew 20)<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Are you going to get
stingy because I am generous?</span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (20:15,
Message)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In
these latter chapters of Matthew, the Pharisees keep goading Jesus. At the same
time, the disciples display an unseemly jostling for position within the
Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Jesus
drops a pointed parable into the mix. A farmer hired workers throughout the
day, at dawn, nine, noon, three and five. To each group he offered the same
wage: a dollar for their work the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps
group number one thought they misunderstood. Perhaps Jesus offered a dollar an
hour. That was only fair. Wasn’t it? As fair a manager as the farmer wouldn’t
pay the first group the same as the last. Would he?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The farmer,
management negotiator that he was, said “You agreed to work for a dollar for
the day. Why are you complaining?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For
everyone who has hoped for a government of and by the people, where everyone is
equal—that’s the kingdom Jesus represents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all
enter the kingdom by the same method. We are adopted, names added to the book
of life, Jesus’s blood the ink used. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all
receive the same inheritance—eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all are
sealed to the family with the same seal—the Holy Spirit stamped on our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all pay
the same “tax” upon coming to age, in front of Jesus’s throne—we will throw our
crowns or anything we have taken pride in, at his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">God doesn’t
want His generosity to make us stingy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He wants to
extend the grace to everyone we meet—whether or not they are worthy.<span class="text"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-24496439919783958782014-02-21T08:25:00.002-08:002014-02-21T08:28:03.414-08:00LIKE A CHILD (Matthew 18)<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Whoever becomes simple
and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Matthew 18:2-5 Message)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Forgive me a proud Grandma moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My daughter-in-law’s grandmother passed away
recently. Of the considerable family gathered, my little girl is the one who
said, “Mimi has gone to be with God in heaven.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mimi died of cancer, and her final days were
difficult. Jordan still had Mimi on her mind. In her night time prayer, she
asked, “Please make Mimi feel better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mimi was in heaven, with only God to take care of
her. Jordan just wanted to talk to God about her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My daughter Jolene had a similar kind of faith.
She pictured flinging herself into Jesus’s waiting arms when she died. When she
died, I’m sure He stood, arms flung open to hold her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Right before the end, my mother developed signs
of dementia. One time when I came to visit, she was sitting up in bed, speaking
quietly. She smiled brightly when I
entered. “I was just talking to Jesus about you.” She knew His presence, not by
faith alone but with a childlike understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Church hymns touch our residents Like the people
here at the nursing home who cry, sing along or cry, when visiting churches
sing the songs of childhood. “Tell me the story.” “Amazing Grace.” “Jesus Loves
Me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Confused minds. Incomplete thoughts. Irrational
thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But…faith that God is at the center of
everything. Faith like a child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pray that I cling on to Jesus with that kind of
faith as my time comes closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-89321189288820903012014-02-19T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-19T01:00:03.905-08:00MOUNTAIN MOVERS<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Because you’re not yet
taking<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>God<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>seriously,”
said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a
poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There
is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew 17:20, Message<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This verse is one I struggle with. Mostly with
conceiving why anyone would want to move a mountain—or maybe that’s the
question. Jesus’ answer speaks to a bigger problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Peter had given the perfect answer when asked
about “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus rewarded him, along with James and
John, to the Mount of Transfiguration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After that miraculous encounter, they must have expected
to march into Jerusalem at the head of an army. Instead, three times before the
end of the chapter, Jesus tells them <i>I’m
going to die. I will be raised again.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They didn’t have a clue what Jesus meant. Look at
the questions they asked:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wasn’t
Elijah supposed to come first?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why
couldn’t we cast the demon out of this man? (Just a note: the nine other
disciples. The big three were away with Jesus when the situation developed.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When
Jesus repeated His warning, they felt terrible. They didn’t ask questions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When
the Pharisees tested Jesus about paying the temple tax, that becomes the
important question. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wish I
could say I would be different. But I’m the same way. I make an excellent
ostrich. I stick my head in the sand until the last possible second of a mounting
emergency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t take
God seriously enough. If I fill my mind and heart with His word, His love, his
will—I might stop asking stupid questions. I might join God in what He’s
already doing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
disciples wanted a kingdom. God offered them salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I want fans
in the tens of thousands. Instead God hands me a table with three emotionally
and dementia challenged women. No mother
could feel any prouder when I see small steps of progress. I feel like my
genuine love and concern helps those three women.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Forget the
thousands. Them I don’t know about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But my
small community here, I do know and am known. If I take God seriously, I will
work here with joy and abandon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-8262912273381517892014-02-15T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-15T01:00:02.472-08:00DON'T BE A BACK SEAT DRIVER (Matthew 16)<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me
lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace
it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all.
Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.<span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(Matthew
16:24-25 Message)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you claim to be a follower of
Christ, get out of the driver’s seat. We may not like it, but we understand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The next words out of Jesus’s
mouth shock us. “Don’t run from suffering. Embrace it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back then, Peter said “That can
never be!” and Jesus rebuked him as Satan’s messenger. “Get out of my way,
Satan. . .You have no idea how God works.” The rebuke is ever weirder,
following on the heels of Peter’s recognition of “You are the Son of the Living
God.” God praised Peter highly, describing him as a rock, and all the
affirmation that came with it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the highest heaven to hell
itself. Peter understood God’s heart about one thing, but he was as blind as
the rest of us about the other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If Jesus meant, <i>of course I have to suffer and die. I’m not
here to restore the kingdom, </i>the rebuke makes a little sense. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But Jesus says more than that. <i>We </i>will suffer, as He did. We should
embrace suffering. In suffering, we find our true selves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps those hermits who spent
years on top of a platform in the desert understood something we ignore today.
They sought suffering as a means to knowing God better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luther tried the same thing. He
flailed his back. He later recognized the futility of his actions, that the
just shall live by faith and not by acts of contrition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I am suffering, should I
seek escape?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps Paul’s advice to the
church at Corinth can guide our thinking: “</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.5pt;">Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called
you.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.5pt;">Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if
you get a chance to be free, take it.</span>”.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> (1 Corinthians 7:20-21, NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.5pt;">Our
true selves depend on the inner man, not the external shell—not even a wheel-chair
bound nursing home resident.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-80895082276898736382014-02-08T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-08T01:00:05.895-08:00SALOME'S DANCE COMPETITION<i>But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. </i><br />
(Matthew 14:6-7, NLT)<br />
<br />
I confess my fascination with dance competitions. I watch <i>SYTYCD<i></i></i> religiously (So You Think You Can Dance, for those not in the know.) I will also watch <i>Dancing with the Stars</i>. Not to mention the dancers on other competitions such as <i>America’s Got Talent</i> and <i>Kim of Queens<i></i></i>. Worst of all, I watch those horrible mothers and cruel teacher on <i>Dance Moms</i>. <br />
<br />
In the process, I have come to understand the fascination of dance for young women. Thinking of all those devoted dancers made me consider today’s story in a different light.<br />
<br />
Salome, the name traditionally given to Herodias’s daughter, has been portrayed as a slutty young girl twirling behind seven veils, revealing her nudity. Liz Curtis Higgs gave a different spin on the story in Really Bad Girls of the Bible. She portrayed Salome as a young girl dressed for a “glitz” pageant (hair pieces, false eyelashes, and the like), in cowgirls dress and boots, dancing to a western song.<br />
<br />
I can see that. Salome had the opportunity of a lifetime. How had she learned to dance so well? I suspect there were limited opportunities to perform. What a rush to receive an invitation to dance for the king (her stepfather) and other powerful men of the kingdom. <br />
<br />
She rose to the occasion, dancing the best she had ever performed,<br />
<br />
She wasn’t promised a prize, but she received one far beyond her wildest dreams. He offered her anything she wanted, “up to half the kingdom.”<br />
<br />
She had Daddy in the palm of her hand. I wonder what she wanted for herself, what she might have asked.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, at that point, Salome’s dream slipped out of her fingers. As coached by her mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a plate.<br />
<br />
Talk about interfering dance moms.<br />
<br />
With a different mom, Salome’s life might have turned out differently. Consider her story as a warning against stage moms who live vicariously through their children. <br />
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-15252885203005241612014-02-05T01:30:00.000-08:002014-02-05T01:30:00.322-08:00THE GOSPEL IN FICTION (Matthew 13)<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive
insight.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Matthew
13:11-15<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
love stories. I grew from Dr. Seuss’s silly rhymes to Nancy Drew and on to the
greats such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy in high school. By far my
favorite books were the <i>Lord of the Rings
</i>trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. In college, I discovered C.S. Lewis’s <i>Chronicles of Narnia </i>and books by other authors from their Inklings
group. In them, I discovered the gospel retold in compelling fiction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
fact, in seminary, I wrote a paper about “eucatastrophy,” a term coined by Tolkien.
He argued against calling something “just a fairy tale,” stating “it is a
sudden and miraculous grace: never to be counted on to recur. It does not deny
the existence of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>dyscatastrophe,
of sorrow and failure: the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of
deliverance; it denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal
final defeat and in so far is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>evangelium,
giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy, Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant
as grief.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> I find that same ping in many works
of fiction, some more than others. I felt it when I read <i>The Chamber</i> by John Grisham; <i>Bone
Crack</i> by Dick Francis; <i>Really Bad
Girls of the Bible </i>by Liz Curtis Higgs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> As I write, I pray that my books
will be mediums of that same eucatastrophe. That over and above the problems my
characters face, they will run to the joy and peace of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Pray with us writers of faith, that
our words will nudge our readers to “receptive listening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-79964175587221993992014-02-01T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-01T01:00:03.934-08:00RUBBERY LIVES (Matthew 12)<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual. </span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (Matthew 12:7 Message)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a child enduring abuse, I clung to the
restrictions of a legalistic church. They taught that a Christian could lose
her salvation. I avoided that scary possibility by following the list of
“don’ts”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">smoke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">drink<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">dance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">cuss<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">have sex outside of marriage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">go to movies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">wear short skirts or jeans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The perfectionism I strove to achieve brought no
joy. Over time, God taught me that I was not only “dead to sin” but also “alive
in Christ.” My understanding of the Christian life shifted, to one inspired by
my relationship with a Holy God and His love for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I still clung to the idea of a “perfect” theology,
however. After Bible college and seminary, I substituted a system of theology
for a list of rules. Christians
disagreed on a few peripherals, such as the timing of baptism, the millennium
question, and so on. I did not
anticipate disagreements over things like. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">the Trinity <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">salvation vs. conversion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The origin of sin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our differences came up at an ecumenical Bible study
at work, with people as dedicated to a right understanding the Bible, as I was.
I was flummoxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now I live in a nursing home with people from several
denominations, including one I label a “cult.” One of their members clings to
one central truth: <i>Jesus loves me, this I
know; and He is my Savior. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am not ready to give that “cult” a free
pass—but I know that lady will be in heaven when she dies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A flexible heart to accept those of different
lifestyles and doctrines—asking God to show us which hearts are true to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The longer I live, the more rubbery I get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-48677999241291983932014-01-29T03:00:00.000-08:002014-01-29T03:00:04.128-08:00POETIC GRACE (Matthew 11)<i>Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.</i> Matt 11:29, Message<br />
<br />
This week I am writing poetry instead of my next romance, and this haiku came out of reading Matthew 11. Back to regularly scheduled programming next week.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God’s grace unforced speaks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rhythmic spasms of mercy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lightening my heart</span></div>
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-8601126557051540612014-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:002014-01-25T01:00:03.879-08:00DO IT ANYWAY (Matthew 10)<i>Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me.</i> (Matthew 10:17, Message)<br />
<br />
Today I am taking the easy way out. This verse reminds me of a beautiful poem I discovered last year, a prayer by Mother Teresa called "Do It Anyway." They say it hung on the wall of her bedroom.<br />
<br />
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.<br />
<br />
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.<br />
<br />
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.<br />
<br />
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.<br />
<br />
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.<br />
<br />
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.<br />
<br />
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.<br />
<br />
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.<br />
<br />
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.<br />
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-14942554977565789082014-01-22T07:40:00.000-08:002014-01-22T07:40:00.642-08:00COME TO JESUS (Matthew 9)<i>As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!"</i> (Matthew 9:27, Message)<br />
<br />
<br />
As I read Matthew 9, I was struck by the different ways people came to Jesus. These are all familiar stories. . .<br />
<br />
The beloved daughter of a local official died when Jesus came to town. He bows before Jesus and begs for a touch of his hand. The man was an official; people would ordinarily bow toward him. He acknowledged Jesus' superior position. He came himself--he didn't send a servant or deliver a letter. He petitioned on behalf of someone else. Just a touch, a single touch--but to bring someone back from the dead? <br />
<br />
While Jesus was on the way to the official's home, a second person came to Him for healing. This woman had hemorrhaged for 12 years. Her monthlies were 24/7, 365. In an era before blood transfusions, I wonder that she remained alive. She was unclean for temple worship--probably felt cut off from God--and helpless. Doctors had stripped her of all her money and left her as sick as when they found her.<br />
<br />
This believed that if she could only touch the hem of Jesus's robe, she would be healed. She bowed to the floor. She didn't seek attention. She somehow knew that being in the vicinity of God's messenger would bring her healing.Jesus sensed her presence and rewarded her faith by healing of her body and her spirit. <br />
<br />
Jesus arrived at the official's house and healed his daughter. <br />
<br />
(P.S. I have to love the importance and compassion shown towards women in these two miracles!)<br />
<br />
When Jesus left the house, two new people joined the crowd. Their shouts remind me of people here at the nursing home. One man sits in his wheelchair, calling, "Ma'am? Ma'am? Ma'am?" Two blind men followed Jesus, shouting "Mercy on us, Son of David!"<br />
<br />
These two followed Jesus. They acknowledged His authority as the Messiah.Their plea suggests faith, but Jesus challenged them. "Do you really believe I can do this?" Their answer? "Why, yes, Master!"<br />
<br />
Oh, wow, look at this--Jesus' physical touch in all of these cases as well . . . thoughts for another day.<br />
<br />
One man came to Jesus with a polite request. One woman did her best to avoid attention. Two men made a noisy nuisance of themselves. But all of them realized Jesus was more than a man. All of them believed that when they brought their problems to Jesus, He would heal them. <br />
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I came to Jesus as a nine-year-old girl, in the Vacation Bible School class held in the lobby of my church (we were short on class space). I knew He was the Savior and God, and that He could forgive my sins.<br />
<br />
We all have a different story--but Jesus welcomes all those who come to Him.<br />
<br />
I would love to hear your story. <br />
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Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-12771627699356346922014-01-15T01:00:00.000-08:002014-01-15T01:00:09.425-08:00GOLDEN RULE FOR NURSING HOMES (Matthew 7)<i>Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get. </i>(Matthew 7:12)<br />
<br />
I have a few pet peeves when it comes to nursing home life.<br />
<br />
Okay, maybe more than a few. :)<br />
<br />
Often, I overhear the aides saying, "Jones want to get up for lunch."<br />
<br />
"Jones" is Annie Jones. (not a real name). But the aides often refer to patients by their last names. I respond, "I prefer that you call me Darlene. I will accept Mrs. Franklin. But please don't call me 'Franklin.' I am not now nor was I ever a female version of my (ex) husband."<br />
<br />
The issue is: See me as a person. Not as a last name (or even worse, in hospitals, as my health issues). At worst we should have a cordial working relationship and at best, we can be friends.<br />
<br />
This week I have received a few reminders that respect runs both ways..<br />
<br />
How about the time I hollered an after-thought to my aide after she left. The nurse passing by asked, "how about a please?"<br />
<br />
Oh. Duh.<br />
<br />
Or the morning I screamed in the shower--throwing a toddler-like fit--that they shouldn't ask me to walk on the wet floor. This aide does everything she can to make me comfortable. After I finished my fit, she asked, in her broken English (she speaks about a little more English than I do Spanish): "Do you not want me to be your aide any more?" And the next day she asked someone else to help me. We worked it out.<br />
<br />
Today was another one of those times. I watched the clock go past eight (when my meds are scheduled). . .past nine (the legal deadline for delivery for meds scheduled at 8) . . .until nearly 10. I prepared to confront Janie.<br />
<br />
When she walked through my door, I gave her a piece of my mind. She looked ready to cry, mumbled some kind of excuse, and left the blood pressure cuff on my wrist while she counted out my meds.<br />
<br />
While I waited, I realized that I had overlooked the person behind the job. I hadn't greeted her, hadn't asked after her health, or made any friendly gestures before launching into my tirade.<br />
<br />
When she came back in, bearing gifts of pain killers and cough syrups and other such wonder pills, I said, "let's start the morning over. How are you today?" We affirmed our friendship for each other.<br />
<br />
Treat others the way you want to be treated.<br />
<br />
Even in--especially in--a nursing home.<br />
<br />
Most of the aides get it.<br />
<br />
It's time I got it, too.<br />
<br />
<i>P.S. I wrote this a few weeks ago for my other blog but it's so good for today's reading . . .</i><br />
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<br />Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-79331965786809965132014-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:002014-01-11T01:00:01.125-08:00THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR (Matthew 6)Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:34, Message)<br />
<br />
This is the time of year when we look toward making new Year's resolutions. I've grown out of the habit. Aside from buying to keep myself on track and losing them after a few months. . .I do plan towards specific events. I have book deadlines to meet, and I would like to improve to the point where I can attend my oldest daughter's high school graduation in May.<br />
<br />
What intrigues me about Jesus's words here is this: He advises against resolutions. Don't be so caught up in your plans for the future that you miss what is going today. <br />
<br />
With my last birthday, I entered my sixtieth year. I am officially by any definition a "senior." (Even if I do know several residents here old enough to be my mother.)I am restricted. Dreams that I had for the future will dangle out of reach, unless my health improves. <br />
<br />
In other words, I felt put out to pasture, without purpose. <br />
<br />
Then I asked God for new dreams. He doesn't expect me to spend the rest of my life waiting to die. He has a purpose for me here and now. My job is to find it. <br />
<br />
In the words of Henry Blackaby in <i>Experiencing God,</i> "Find out where God is at work, join Him there."<br />
<br />
If I overlook the work God is doing around me, instead planning for a future ministry--I have lost out on God's best.<br />
<br />
"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions." (Matthew 6:32, Message) <br />
<br />
That's a New Year's Resolution we can all use.<br />
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<br />Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-15919759226374238552014-01-08T01:00:00.000-08:002014-01-08T01:00:08.022-08:00PAY IT FORWARD (Matthew 5)<i>In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.</i>(Matthew 5:48, The Message)<br />
<br />
"A Christian can afford to be generous."<br />
<br />
The words have remained with me for almost forty years, ever since our supervising pastor spoke them to me during a summer church plant project. After we ate a restaurant, he must have left a tip that struck me as excessive. I commented on it.<br />
<br />
His answer? "A Christian can afford to be generous." I have tried to adapt his principle.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Christians tend to practice frugality and no generosity at the restaurant. My son, who worked at restaurants for ten years, said that the after-church crowd was their busiest time of the week. They also left the smallest tips.<br />
<br />
When I learned that, my heart sank. What kind of testimony is our corporate stinginess on Sundays?<br />
<br />
Grow up. Be generous, with money, but also with words. Compliment total strangers. Leave a comment when you enjoy a book. Thank the bus driver. <br />
<br />
Be gracious--the word itself would take a lengthy study, and this isn't the day to look at forgiveness and other such things.<br />
<br />
God gives to us graciously. He treats us graciously. In turn, He expects us to pay it forward--to treat others with the same life-affirming, esteem-boosting, care that He treats us.<br />
<br />
Of course generous and gracious living involves a lot more than tipping servers. But it's a good place to start.Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-37054648958553953302014-01-04T00:06:00.000-08:002014-01-04T00:06:00.215-08:00CRAMMING FOR A TEST (Matthew 4)<i>Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of.</i> (Matthew 4:2-3, The Message)<br />
<br />
I've taken lots and lots of tests on my way to a master's degree. The longer I stayed in school, the longer I procrastinated preparing for the test. I spent a few all-nighters writing term papers, but I never stayed up all night studying. <br />
<br />
I never spent forty days preparing for a test.<br />
<br />
When I needed to concentrate, I went to the library for peace and quiet.<br />
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I never traveled to a deserted patch of real estate, devoid of people or anything to eat.<br />
<br />
And I certainly never skipped a meal in order to prepare. I just drank more coffee.<br />
<br />
That's what Jesus did, driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, alone, and choosing not to eat whatever was available. He stayed there for forty days.<br />
<br />
I've heard that 40 days is the limit people can go without eating. The first season of <i>Survivor</i>, they showcased the physical trauma the contestants endured. The effects of starvation, as I remember, were hair falling out, stomach bugs, difficulty with the bathroom.<br />
<br />
That is the kind of preparation Jesus chose for His test. I've also heard that fasting focuses the mind. After forty days, I would probably be delirious.<br />
<br />
If that is the kind of preparation Jesus endured for His tests, what does God expect of us? <br />
<br />
Perhaps it's just this: He puts us in a position of weakness, for when we weak, then we are strong. The weaker the vessel, the more God shines.<br />
<br />
So when you feel like trials hit you when you're at your lowest point--you're in good company. <br />
<br />
P.S. If you'd like to read a short story about the Temptation, check out "The Ultimate Survivor" at ww.heartlight.org/articles/200202/20020202_survivor.html<br />
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<br />
www.heartlight.org/articles/200202/20020202_survivor.html<br />
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-75993130764808142282014-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-01T12:05:04.858-08:00JOSEPH TAKES CENTER STAGE (Matthew 1)<i>Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.</i><br />
<br />
Disappointment. . .failure. . .humiliation. All three of those emotions visit me, during the ups and downs of Christmas and on into the crushing deadness of January, "cold within and without." (One of my favorite opening lines, from <i>Bolt</i> by Dick Francis)<br />
<br />
Disappointed . . .because no matter how much I tell myself that I can't expect anything for Christmas, because my remaining family, Jaran's family, celebrates Hanukkah instead, my heart wants more. Disappointed when the few things within my control go wrong.<br />
<br />
Failed. . .when my plans fall through, for buying and giving presents, for sending cards, for going to church or having my daily quiet time or any of a dozen projects.<br />
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Humiliated? When my family comes and I'm in bed, undressed. When I wait too long or can't get away and soil myself. . .<br />
<br />
All of those are true but none of my reasons comes close to what Joseph must have felt when he learned his betrothed was pregnant. With someone else's child. <br />
<br />
In the kind of quiet and strong goodness Joseph exhibits over and over, he doesn't go public with his pain. He doesn't seek to judge Mary. He does decide to end the betrothal. And when God tells him to marry her, in spite of the pregnancy, he doesn't hesitate. In spite of all the public humiliation which would come their way. In spite of the gossip which was bound to peg him as the baby's father.<br />
<br />
Joseph. Chagrined I understand. Noble I strive for.<br />
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Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-83923884840184422352013-12-23T13:06:00.000-08:002013-12-23T13:06:19.729-08:00A TALE OF THREE CHRISTMASES (Matthew 2)They [the scholars from the East] could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! (Matthew 2:10, MSG)<br />
<br />
The first two chapters of Matthew give us a glimpse behind the Christmas story. The <i>first</i> Christmas. Or maybe the second--Jesus was probably about two years old. <br />
<br />
And of course Jesus wasn't born on December 25th.<br />
<br />
But, the Christmas story happened in real time and space. And people chose to believe or not, each in their own way, even back then.<br />
<br />
We looked at Joseph a bit in chapter 1. The angel appeared to him a dream, and gave him very specific instructions. He obeyed. No questioning the dreams. No complaints. He speaks through his actions, not his words. Although he was asked to believe the impossible, at least the message was clear.<br />
<br />
Then we have Herod. God sent the message to him via three foreigners. The message was confirmed in Micah's prophecy. An unlikely source--but he gave it enough credit to assassinate them when they returned to Jerusalem. Herod could have joined them in worship of the Messiah. So could the priests.Instead of rejoicing in the birth of Israel's Messiah--the hope the priests at least claimed--Herod feared it, and sought to kill the Messiah. Instead of obedience, he wanted the death of the threat.<br />
<br />
Finally we have the wise men. The Message calls them "a band of scholars." The traditional number three is assumed because of three gifts, but the exact number is unknown.<br />
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They had no direct revelation, but they were students of God through nature, especially the stars. Somehow they also knew about Israel's king, and his importance. <br />
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With nothing more than an interpretation of the sky--no verbal instructions at all--they invested a lot of money and four years of their time (going and coming) into worshipping Israel's Messiah. <br />
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What do we choose to do with the Christ of Christmas today?<br />
<br />
My son told me that he was going to ask friends, "Why do you give gifts at Christmas?"<br />
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In one of those proud-moments-to-be-a-mother, he went on. "I remember that you taught us that we give gifts because God gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son."<br />
<br />
He went on to mention those who said they did it to show love for their families and friends, or because of the gift of the wise men. Or even just because of the tradition and the commercialism that urges us to buy, buy, buy. <br />
<br />
Today we have the three ways of receiving God's message.<br />
<br />
We have His message in the Bible, and we can choose to obey.<br />
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We have His unwritten message in the songs of Christmas, in the traditions in which I see the gospel about the Great Gift, the Light of the World, the eternal life represented by an evergreen.<br />
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If we are Christians, we hear His message in our hearts, since He lives within us.<br />
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Why do you give gifts at Christmas?<br />
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Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-71529305821079317952013-12-02T00:30:00.000-08:002013-12-06T21:43:04.579-08:00God as Your Possession (Ezekiel 42-44)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">God commissioned the Levitcal Priesthood to
teach God’s people “the difference between the holy and common” (Ezekiel 44:23).
They served the Lord in the temple and lived off the sacrifices the people brought
to them. They adhered to laws dealing with what they ate, what they wore, how
they cut their hair and beard and who they married. They owned no land. “I am
your possession,” declared the Lord (Ezekiel 44:28).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In the Old Testament, God commanded to and
commended people for seeing Him, not fame,
riches, power, or happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> rejoice.
Look to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> and his
strength; seek his face always.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> (I Chronicles 16:10-11)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i>If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their
wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and
will heal their land. </i>(2 Chronicles 7:14) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You
will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> (Jeremiah 29:13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><sup><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></sup></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Despite his weaknesses, David pleased God by being a
man after His heart (I Samuel 13:13-14 and Acts 13:22).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Christians not only belong to Christ, in a
sense, He belongs to us. He receives us into His family. We receive Him as our portion.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We can seek God the Father by getting to
know Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The Son is the radiance of God’s
glory</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">and
the exact representation of his being,</span> <span style="background: white;">sustaining all things</span> <span style="background: white;">by his
powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,</span> <span style="background: white;">he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in
heaven. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 13.5pt;">(Hebrews 1:3)</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">God also gave us His Holy Spirit to help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In the same way, the</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">Spirit</span> <span style="background: white;">helps</span> <span style="background: white;">us in
our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the</span> <span style="background: white;">Spirit</span> <span style="background: white;">himself
intercedes for us through wordless groans. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 13.5pt;">(Romans
8:26)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Seeking
God isn't just a good idea; it should be the most important activity
in our life.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <b><sup> </sup></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Matthew
6:33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In seeking God, our
focus changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you
died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> (Colossians 3:2-3)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We not only seek Him, we
come to Him believing we will find Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><i>And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him. </i><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Hebrews 11:6</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If we are healthy, rich and powerful, what
good is that if we don’t have the Lord? Let’s seek Him today in all the ways we
know how, trusting Him to add what we need and desire as a natural result.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Connie L. Peters</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">has
thirty years of experience in writing poetry, adult and children’s fiction and
inspirational non-fiction. Currently she writes devotions for The Presidential
Prayer Team and The Pagosa Sun. She also writes a poem a day on
enthusiaticsoul.blogspot.com. Connie’s work has appeared in numerous
publications including Focus on the Family, Bible Advocate and The Quiet Hour. She
has served on the board of Southwest Christian Writers Association for the past
twenty years. Connie lives in Cortez, CO where she and her husband host two
adults with developmental disabilities. The Peters’ two grown children live in
Arizona.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Connie L. Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125060954159078551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-37698107888687894002013-11-10T12:26:00.000-08:002013-11-10T12:26:23.693-08:00MOURNING FOR MOAB"I know"--God's Decree--"his rooster-crowing pride, the inflated claims, the sheer nothingness of Moab. But I will weep for Moab, yes, I will mourn for the people of Moab." (Jeremiah 48:30-32, MSG)<br />
<br />
Chapters 48 and 49 of Jeremiah deal with judgments on Israel's neighbors. Ho hum, although I did run across an interesting verse ("sloppy work in God's name is cursed," 48:16).<br />
<br />
But then I ran across this unexpected word midway through the judgments. <i>I will weep for Moab</i>.<br />
<br />
I went back and confirmed. Yes, God was speaking, not Jeremiah. <br />
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I went forward. God repeats His grief: "My heart moans for Moab." (48:36)<br />
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God doesn't give a reason for grieving Moab. He says the men of the city Kir-heres are like flute sounds carried by the wind. They will lose everything. But if the severity of judgment hurt God's heart, He would mourn every nation under judgment.<br />
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If you're wondering--keep reading. God doesn't express the same grief about Ammon or Damascus. <br />
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It's not even because the Moabites descended from Abraham's nephew Lot. So did the Ammonites. They are destroyed without sympathy.<br />
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Is it because of David's Moabitess great-grandmother, Ruth?<br />
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Or more precisely, because of Ruth herself? Her faith inspired an entire book of the Bible. Its legacy lived on, affecting generations to come. Perhaps she even held an infant David on her knee, telling him of Israel's great God.<br />
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I don't know. God doesn't tell us, so all my reasonings are pure conjecture.<br />
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The fact that God mourned Moab gladdens my heart, however. God's heart always included other nations than Israel. Israel was meant to be the lighthouse to draw the world to Himself. The lament regarding Moab is a comparatively rare record of that love in the Old Testament.<br />
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God gives Moab a promise: "There's a day that's coming that I'll put things right in Moab." (Jeremiahs 48:47)<br />
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Jordan (which includes the old Moab) and Israel should "just get along."<br />
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Well, Moab, Israel and Judah didn't do so well either.<br />
Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945306066697509102.post-573928164221872412013-11-06T11:00:00.000-08:002013-11-06T11:00:02.318-08:00SIEGE (Jeremiah 39)<i>In the ninth year and tenth month of Zedekiah king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with his entire army and laid siege to Jerusalem. In the eleventh year and fourth month, on the ninth day of Zedekiah’s reign, they broke , MSG)through into the city.</i> (Jeremiah 39:1-2, MSG)<br />
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October 2009 to April 2011--easier for me to calculate than "10th month of the 9th year and the 4th month of the 11th year."<br />
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The Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem for 18 months.<br />
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<i><b>Eighteen months.</b></i> <br />
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The famous siege of Masada in the first century, where all the residents killed themselves rather than be captured, only lasted a few months. Two pregnancies. No new supplies for a year and a half. This was a city, after all. House gardens wouldn't provide the grains and produce without the surrounding countryside.<br />
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No grain or livestock for the daily sacrifice.<br />
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Surviving eighteen months of dwindling resources and the threat of annihilation would ordinarily rouse admiration for their courage. We would admire the king who look to their leaders for our heroes.<br />
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Instead, Jeremiah told them to go to the Babylonians and end the siege. And Zedekiah is remembered as the last king of Judah.<br />
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Are you facing any long-term problems? Where would you like to be in eighteen months? Do you do the right thing by fighting towards that goal, using all of your resources and then some more? <br />
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Or is God calling you to give up that battle and to move on to the next stage of your life?<br />
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Is the future God wants for you something other than that seems obvious to you?<br />
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It's worth thinking about.Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com1