tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77908530679008541892023-11-16T06:07:17.422-06:00Amazing Grace-My Chains are Gone.orgAmazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comBlogger706125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-65144531913806917312014-12-14T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-14T03:00:01.699-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzcz9BzXMWpB7ehKFHZ58FuH8hmKrU0w_dnMjG8E5bVqhMl4r3w6DLpnqBidDBonusUHufnDmInzFEzgxJwOQUQk-BuFZ3noJq4MoG20Sfv_j76U3WUDCDALPLMD37OB7A_tOfwVReNw/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzcz9BzXMWpB7ehKFHZ58FuH8hmKrU0w_dnMjG8E5bVqhMl4r3w6DLpnqBidDBonusUHufnDmInzFEzgxJwOQUQk-BuFZ3noJq4MoG20Sfv_j76U3WUDCDALPLMD37OB7A_tOfwVReNw/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>LOVE</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>December 14, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Meditation on Love</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. As He grew in wisdom and stature, He began to tach so that others might follow His example. Today I humbly honor Jesus by accepting His instruction to love others and myself unconditionally. Putting away all thoughts of past errors or mistakes. I allow the loving Christ nature to be born anew in me. I center my thoughts on the Kingdom of Heaven, a consciousness of wholeness and holiness. I was created in the image and likeness of God, and I now accept the truth of who I am. I live in the presence of unconditional love, and the unconditional love of Christ lives in me.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: red;">"Love one another" </i> --- John 13:34</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.org</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-91626193163237088902014-12-10T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-10T03:00:02.582-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday, December 10, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This Quiet Place</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>by Rev. Dorothy Pierson</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I came to this quiet place</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And found You waiting for me, God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't heard You call,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I had no seeming need at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But I just felt guided to be still...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And here You are!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My heart is open to Your will,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Speak to me, God,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For I am listening within myself,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I hear You in my mind,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A kind of moving as in the quiet of a forest,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pleasant sounds, soft and whispering</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In this place apart, O God,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank You for the peace I feel,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sure knowing that You are here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And real, and that we are one</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In this quiet place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"And they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means, 'God is with us.'" </i> --- Matthew 1:23</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.org</span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-92097359975018444692014-12-09T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-09T03:00:04.447-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday, December 9, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What Makes Christmas Real?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>by Tom Baker</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>I have had one miracle attributed to me. I don't actually think I performed the miracle but, as I said, it was attributed to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> It happened my second year as a priest at midnight Mass. I was giving my sermon and a baby began to cry. Usually when this happened I would keep talking, turning away from the crying. The mother (or the father or the older sister in a big Catholic family) would get the hint and leave. But this mother and child were stuck in the middle of the pew, in a packed church. She was going to sit the screaming out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> This child was loud. So I stopped, and remembering that it was Christmas Eve, said, "Tonight, I love the crying of this child; it reminds me that 2,000 years ago the crying of a child was the voice of God --- maybe it still is.'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> And just like that the child stopped crying. And there was a hush in the church that was a hush beyond quiet, it was the feel of people listening to silence. Then people, chuckled. And afterwards they proclaimed it a miracle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> But what I remembered was the hush. That moment so quiet and bright and still that you might hear the music in light or appreciate the voice of God in the cry of a child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways." </i>2 Thessalonians 3:16</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.org</span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-43479399768470379242014-12-08T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-08T03:00:00.733-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday, December 8, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The King and the Painting</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>by Catherine Marshall</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artist tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought it was a perfect picture of peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The other picture had mountains, too, but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Which picture do you think won the prize? The King chose the second picture, explaining that peace does not mean being in a place where there is no noise, trouble or turmoil. It means being in the midst of all those things, and still feeling the serenity that is always in your heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> That is the real meaning of peace.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--- Matthew 6:21</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFeI3lrZevbJY9SiW0khyphenhyphenol-Sm9IJ-dFNOkjvGlA3Uau4x81Q2i8xVt4wfjhySoLmcB9KXrq-xa4NWVMWFMaleL4jPjdTC5IqvirjXHXQnE1AEXb9t4ooJgiqE53EAJlcJlxZD70lYtA/s1600/CALM+IN+MIDST+OF+STORM+PIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFeI3lrZevbJY9SiW0khyphenhyphenol-Sm9IJ-dFNOkjvGlA3Uau4x81Q2i8xVt4wfjhySoLmcB9KXrq-xa4NWVMWFMaleL4jPjdTC5IqvirjXHXQnE1AEXb9t4ooJgiqE53EAJlcJlxZD70lYtA/s1600/CALM+IN+MIDST+OF+STORM+PIC.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.org</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-26843101555260666962014-12-07T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-07T03:00:00.213-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtw95zPhAoW38HkhBbtddcecxqxT39Vb6XbBudzyb5fCzFFvotVAOEUNWgo9C6xxUAWFpaF6xK8XFh9xqG3khb5BChb6Uojm8xOZQsKKC480P_bh3W1D3bE1DS8Uh61rZLtRGb8dd_Jc/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>PEACE</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">December 7, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Meditation on Peace</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All possibilities for peace and prosperity are available to us as we release old patterns of behavior and overcome thoughts and actions that have divided us in the past. The Christ is born anew in our hearts and in our world. We greet these new days with hope and love, trusting that our world leaders are being guided toward the highest good for all. The power of our hearts united is invincible. We move forward with the confidence, hope and strength borne of faith. The Christ is awakened and renewed in us, and we trust Spirit to lead us into bringing about a new world vision of peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." ---</i>Romans 8:6</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.7350006103516px;">Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-1637355936580909072014-12-03T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-03T03:00:01.437-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGZCF0aD0J2bo2KvP-jpAsXzDoorUE9iYRi1l6cAKg_Ahn3yRBbkbhiZyk3BIscPiqU2ezzul4kN7MHjEa9S93GCDGQ71s7EG4MHyDbHaxQ9f6xEwC95QTswSXro5zS3DS-E0GajeGbM/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGZCF0aD0J2bo2KvP-jpAsXzDoorUE9iYRi1l6cAKg_Ahn3yRBbkbhiZyk3BIscPiqU2ezzul4kN7MHjEa9S93GCDGQ71s7EG4MHyDbHaxQ9f6xEwC95QTswSXro5zS3DS-E0GajeGbM/s1600/ADVENT+A+TIME+FOR+PREPARATION.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday, December 3, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I'll Try Once More</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>By Rev. Dorothy Pierson</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I turn myself over to You, Father,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But then I take me back!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So sincerely I abandon my will to Yours</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And walk out on the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But when my feet get wet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And I feel the sway of the moving sea,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I take myself back fearfully</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And climb into my self-willed boat</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To steer back to the shore.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Would that I could stride out on the sea</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Like, He Who traveled Galilee!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Will my faith one day be buoyant as His?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I turn myself over to you again, Father</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll try once more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you --- you of little faith?" </i>--- Matthew 6:30</span><br />
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**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet<br />
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Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.org<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-85904511284094427202014-12-02T11:55:00.000-06:002014-12-02T11:55:10.713-06:00TIME TO TESTIFY (Faith In Our Father)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Faith In Our Father</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>"You have</i></b><i> </i><b><i>12 new messages, 3 saved messages. First message... from phone number 505, 769, 0982... received . May third at six fifty - seven a.m.... '</i>Hello? Dejon? This is your dad. I'll need a ride to the hospital today. (pause) If you can. Okay? Okay, I'll see you." <i>To replay this message press 4.. to erase, press 7... to return this call, press 8... to save, press 9... for more options, press 0."</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i> </i>Had I not received and responded to the messages my dad would have died. But even taking him to the hospital, what seemed to be a simple case of my dad being anemic and needing a blood transfusion transpired into something much worse.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> It all began just two weeks after I had moved back to my hometown. After unpacking and finally getting settled into my trailer I set out early one Monday morning in search of employment and a new start in my hometown.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> It was almost noon so I decided to go home, eat some lunch then continue putting applications everywhere. I forgot to carry my phone with me that morning so when I looked and noticed I had messages, my first thought was somebody was already contacting me for a job interview. After all, I hadn't been back in town very long and nobody knew I was in Clovis so I didn't think it could be anybody else calling.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> But after the third voice-mail I received from my dad, I knew something must be seriously wrong. My dad wasn't one to just pick up the phone and call people and he was a very independent man, so to hear that he needed a ride to the hospital caused me to worry and fear the worst.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> I rushed to my dad's house and fortunately he left the front door unlocked. I entered and went straight to his bedroom where he was laying asleep. I gentle shook him to wake him and tell him I was there to take him to the hospital. I told him I would wait in the living room while he gets dressed then we would leave.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> I was sitting in a chair that faced the long hallway leading to the bedrooms. As soon as my dad came walking up the hallway I knew immediately what was wrong with him--- he was anemic. I struggled with it years earlier so I knew the signs and I understood what my dad was enduring.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> After rushing him to the emergency room, he was admitted into the hospital to receive a blood transfusion. The first two days seemed to go well and he was to be released the third day. But when the next day came, they didn't release him because they said his blood count was low and they had to give him yet another blood transfusion. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Then finally after a week in the hospital, the doctors decided something was seriously wrong with my dad. Apparently, he was bleeding somewhere and they couldn't find out where so they advised that we should transfer him to another hospital where he could receive better treatment. So we transferred him to Lubbock, Texas which is about 180 miles from our hometown of Clovis, New Mexico.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> After the transfer, the next day, the doctors from Lubbock told me my dad had a gall bladder the size of a baseball and that he would need surgery to remove it. After the surgery, my dad seemed fine but the doctors would not release him. The doctor kept giving my dad test. Yet, every time we would ask about the test results the doctor replied, "I don't know. I haven't seen the results yet." then he would rush off.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> We would pray over my dad and it seemed like he was getting better so we were confused why the doctor refused to release him. I could see the work our Heavenly Father was doing on my dad. We saw how my dad's attitude was better, his health was definitely improving.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> After three weeks, I'm beginning to get very upset with the doctor. I had a strong faith that our Heavenly Father was healing my dad, it was very obvious when we prayed over him and we had hope that he would be released soon. Although, when we had to leave the hospital to drive back to Clovis to tend to animals, get the mail, catch up on bills, etc. unknown to me, the doctors would take my dad out of his room and run tests on him. Every time we returned to the Lubbock hospital, he looked in worse shape that he did before we left. He always looked as if somebody had beaten him up.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> I then realized that the only way my dad was going to heal is if I got him out of that hospital so the doctors couldn't continue to interfere with the healing process that our Heavenly Father was doing.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Finally, one day after returning from Clovis and once again seeing my dad in worse shape than before we left, I demanded they stop all the testing. I explained to the doctor that whatever testing they were doing it was more harmful to my dad than if they just left him alone. The doctors explained to me that as long as my dad was in the hospital under their care and did not have a DNR </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">(Do not resuscitate) active, </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">then it's their responsibility to take the tests to try and find the problem. This angered me and I quickly reacted by requesting they put a DNR on my dad. We then began making arrangements to take him home and place him in hospice care.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> The doctor seemed upset and told me that my dad would never make the drive back to Clovis. But my faith was so strong that I <u style="font-style: italic;">knew </u>my Heavenly Father <u style="font-style: italic;">would </u>allow my dad to get home and if it be His Will to take my dad, at least he would pass away peacefully at home where he wanted to be.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> When I told my oldest sister what the doctor said, she agreed with him. She told me that once they disconnect the IV from my dad then the clock will start ticking. This infuriated me. I just thought to myself, "Where is your faith?" I also became fearful because of my ignorance in the medical field I was a bit worried that they just might be right.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> As my sisters and my nephew left the hospital ahead of us so they could be at the house when hospice staff arrived to set up the bed before the ambulance brought my dad home, I stayed behind at the hospital with my dad. I was P.O.A. (Power of Attorney) so I had to wait for the paramedics to arrive to sign the necessary release and transfer papers.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> During that time, I prayed again. I prayed hard asking my Heavenly Father to let me be doing the right thing. I asked God that if it was time to take my dad to at least wait until he was home. I asked my Heavenly Father to grant my dad's final wish to allow him to die at his home. Then I felt a great sense of peace and calm. After my prayer, I woke my dad and told him he was going home.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> My dad hadn't really spoken to us in about three weeks. My guess is that he was upset because we didn't get him out of the hospital sooner, after all, he was asking to go home just right after the surgery. But at that very moment, he opened his eyes and asked, "What? What was that?"</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> And I held his hand and said, "Dad, the ambulance is on it's way. You're going home dad. We're getting you outta here."</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> My dad squeezed my hand as hard as he could and said, "Thank you, thank you. God bless you." and a tear rolled from the corner of his eye as he flashed me a smile.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> When the ambulance arrived and I signed all the necessary paperwork, the paramedic asked me for directions where to take my dad then told me I could leave and meet them at the house. </b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> The drive to Clovis was so emotional. I constantly prayed for my dad to at least make it home and to know he was home yet, doubt would try to overcome my faith. I kept hearing what my sister and the doctor said about my dad never making the trip home alive. Yet, my strong faith in my Heavenly Father refused to believe what my sister and the doctor said. I <u style="font-style: italic;">knew </u>that if it be my Father's Will then He would allow my dad to arrive home alive. I <u style="font-style: italic;">knew </u>my Heavenly Father was faithful in His promises to us and He has always promised that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed then it shall be.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> My faith won. Not only did my dad arrive home alive but his health also improved. He lost all the swelling from the edema, (when he was released from the hospital he was the size of the Good Year blimp man they used to advertise). He was able to walk, eat on his own and he was talking more. He lived six months longer than the doctors gave him.</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"> It was my strong faith in my Father --- my Heavenly Father, that kept my dad alive. Oh, and all those tests the doctors were taking, I discovered after I retrieved the medical records that the tests were taken because my dad has so much wrong with him internally and the doctors kept taken tests because they couldn't understand how my dad was even still alive. </b><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-19-26/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Matthew 19:26">Matthew 19:26</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But Jesus beheld them,</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and said unto them,</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-9-23/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Mark 9:23">Mark 9:23</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jesus said unto him, <span style="color: red;">"If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth." </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-10-27/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Mark 10:27">Mark 10:27</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And Jesus looking upon them saith, <span style="color: red;">"With men [it is] impossilbe, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."</span></b></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-1-37/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Luke 1:37">Luke 1:37</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For nothing is impossible with God.</b></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-18-27/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Luke 18:27">Luke 18:27</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And He said, <span style="color: red;"> "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." </span></b></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-17-20/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Matthew 17:20">Matthew 17:20</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And Jesus said unto them, <span style="color: red;">"Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." </span></b></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-11-6/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Genesis 11:6">Genesis 11:6</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And the LORD said, "Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." </b></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-6-18/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Hebrews 6:18">Hebrews 6:18</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: </b></span><br />
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Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-88199141135248301702014-12-02T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-02T03:00:05.721-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday, December 2, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>By Martha Smock</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God can help and can heal any condition or situation, no matter how frightening or distressing the appearances. <i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." </i>(John 14:27) <i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">"I am with you always." </i>(Matthew 28:20)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are concerned or disturbed about something, say these words of Jesus over to yourself. Say them and listen to them. Think of the living, loving Christ speaking them to you, through you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let not your heart be troubled by sickness. The Christ is within you as healing life. There is nothing to fear, for with God all things are possible; with God there are no incurable conditions. The Christ is saying to you now, <i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">"You have been made well!" </i>(John 5:14)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let not your heart be troubled by injustice or unfair treatment. Give everything over to the loving Christ and know that this Spirit is able to make all things right. Hold fast to your faith in God, to your faith in the good, and keep your heart and mind open to be forgiving, loving benediction of the Christ. You are beloved of God; you are one with the Christ. You are surrounded and enfolded by perfect peace that the world cannot give, the peace that is God's gift to your heart, mind and life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"Jesus turned and seeing her He said, <span style="color: red;">'Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.' </span>And instantly the woman was made well." --- </i>Matthew 9:22</b></span><br />
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**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet<br />
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Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.orgAmazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-86550053013280962092014-12-01T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-01T03:00:09.211-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday, December 1, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Help Thou Mine Unbelief</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>By James Dillet Freeman</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Faith is not an abstraction, it is an attitude towards life, a feeling about life. It does not come out of signs and miracles or any outward happenings so much as out of inward growth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you cannot believe in much, then believe in the little that you can. Start where you are and grow. What seed can have a foreknowledge of the tree it will become? Waht thorny bush can prophesy the rose? What worm can tell of the butterfly? Faith grows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you find yourself deploring how little your faith is, think how far you have come with the little faith you have. As you climb a hill, it is sometimes well to look back to see how far you have come instead of always looking at the insurmountable heights ahead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, you may have more faith than you imagine, and when you need it, you will find it there within you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"Therefore, let all who are faithful offer prayer to you, at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them." </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>--- Psalm 32:6</i></b></span><br />
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**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet<br />
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Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.orgAmazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-78464336424984748862014-11-30T03:30:00.000-06:002014-12-06T14:44:31.305-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>FAITH</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">November 30, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meditation On Faith</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Setting out on her journey, the young Mary may not have been sure where she would stay or how she would give birth, but Mary had faith that God would provide. I may not always know how things will work out, but faith sets my feet confidently on the path to my good. With each step I affirm God's strength within me and God's wisdom guiding me. My faith in God's power is greater than any fear or doubt. When I am uncertain, I quiet my thoughts, knowing the still, small voice within will direct me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God's desire for me is only good. In faith I move confidently in the direction of my good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name." --- </i>Psalm 32:6</span><br />
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**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet<br />
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Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.orgAmazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-30605780410170570802014-11-30T03:00:00.000-06:002014-11-30T03:00:01.345-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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ADVENT (INTRODUCTION)<br />
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Although Christmas memories reflect specific times, people, and places, Christmas is a feeling more than an event. It is a special warmth and glow that fills our hearts this time of year.<br />
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Yet Christmas can also be a tender time, especially for those who are grieving, struggling or alone. These stories and sentiments should remind us that no matter what is happening in our outer lives, we can find the Spirit of Christmas within. We need only breathe into the present moment, turn our attention to the Christ Presence, and feel our oneness with all of life. Simple acts of kindness, both given and received, can bring us home to the truth that we are never alone.<br />
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May Faith, peace, Love and Joy be alive in your heart this Advent season, as together we celebrate the coming --- and the arrival --- of the Christ Light in our world. You are blessed and you are a blessing!<br />
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**** Excerpts from Unity's Advent 2014 "Christmas in My Heart" Booklet<br />
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Unity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, supported primarily by freewill offerings, including planned giving. To give a donation, please visit www.unity.org/donate. Or for other useful resources you may visit www.unity.orgAmazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-30092682688525047182014-01-08T00:24:00.003-06:002014-01-08T00:24:45.451-06:00INSPIRATIONAL STORY (The Black Dot)<br />
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A small town Chamber of Commerce invited a speaker to address it's annual dinner. The community's economy was bad, people were discouraged and they wanted the motivational speaker to give them a boost.<br />
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During the presentation, the speaker took a large piece of paper and made a small black dot at the center with a marking pen. Then she held the paper up before the group and asked them what they saw.<br />
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"I see a black dot," a person quickly replied.<br />
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"Okay, what else do you see?'<br />
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Everybody looked and many joined in agreement, "A black dot."<br />
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"That's good. Do any of you see anything else?" the speaker asked.<br />
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After a few minutes of silence, many people in the audience shook their heads and a few answered, "No!"<br />
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"What about a sheet of paper?" Asked the speaker. "I'm sure all of you can see the paper, am I right? But you all have chosen to overlook it.'<br />
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The audience was stunned and some felt embarrassed.<br />
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"In life, we also tend to overlook and take for granted many wonderful things that we have or memorable events. We spend too much time focusing our attention and energy on small, dot-like failures and disappointments. The so called 'problems' that we have are usually like the black dot on the paper. They are small and insignificant if we can widen our horizon and look at the whole picture."<br />
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Examine yourself and how you see things. Are you one of the people who focuses your attention and energy on dot-like problems?Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-11752226924973859852014-01-04T01:20:00.001-06:002014-01-04T01:20:37.328-06:00I AM CHURCH<br />
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Hello,<br />
My name is church.<br />
I'm sure you have heard a lot about me. I have no shortage of critics, Perhaps you have heard that I am boring, shallow, cheap and a waste of time. Perhaps you have heard that I am full of hypocrites, clowns, greedy people and the self-righteous.<br />
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Maybe you have visited me before and discovered horrible music, passionless singing, dry preaching and rude congregants. Or maybe right when you needed me I was too busy, too "righteous", too broke or too blind.<br />
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Maybe you joined me and found I was distant, demanding, dull and preoccupied. Or maybe you tried to serve in me but were caught off guard by business meetings, committees, teams, debates and bureaucracy.<br />
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Maybe you left and you were surprised that nobody called, cared, noticed or invited you back. Or perhaps your experience has driven you to speak negatively about me, swear to never come back to me, proclaim that no one needs me or maybe you believe that you are better off without me.<br />
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If this is true, if your heart resonates with this, I have something to say to you: "I'm sorry! I made a huge mistake and I was wrong. Please remember, my name is Church. It isn't perfection. It isn't flawlessness. It isn't completion."<br />
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"My name is church and I welcome the hypocrite, the dry, the self-righteous and the shallow. I welcome the sincere, the passionate, the forgiving and the selfless. I cannot shut my doors to the people who in the past have made you angry, uncomfortable, impatient or self-conscious."<br />
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"But I can apologize for the fact that you may have been burned by me and I hope that someday, maybe, you will forgive me and come back."<br />
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Love,<br />
The Church.<br />
--- author unknownAmazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-15496681541712051412014-01-01T22:46:00.001-06:002014-01-01T22:47:49.548-06:00INSPIRATIONAL STORY (Keep The Fork)<br />
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A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. She asked her Pastor to come to her home to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral, what Scriptures she wanted read and which outfit she wanted to be buried in.<br />
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Then she said, "One more thing... I want to be buried with a fork in my hand."<br />
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The pastor was surprised and she must have noticed the puzzled look on his face.<br />
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She explained to him, "In all my years attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably say to everyone, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite time of the dinner, because I knew something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie --- something wonderful. So, I want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then, I want you to tell them, 'Keep your fork because the best is yet to come.'"<br />
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The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he told the woman goodbye. He realized she had a better grasp of Heaven than he did because she knew something better was coming.<br />
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At the funeral, when people asked him why she was holding a fork, the Pastor told them of the conversation he had with the woman before she died. He said he could not stop thinking about the fork and knew they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.<br />
"Keep the fork. The best is yet to come."<br />
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<b><i>"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.' --- </i>Revelations 21:4</b>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-58114707021077285352013-12-28T12:16:00.001-06:002013-12-28T12:16:58.035-06:00MORAL STORY (The Holy Man and God)<div>
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A holy man was having a conversation with the LORD one day and he said, "LORD, I would like to know what Heaven and hell are like."</div>
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The LORD led the holy man to two doors. He opened the doors and the holy man looked inside. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew that smelled so delicious that it even made the holy man's mouth water.</div>
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The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly looking. They appeared to be famished. They were all holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each one found that, although they were able to reach into the pot and take a spoonful, because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back to their mouths. This made the holy man shudder at the sight of their misery and suffering.</div>
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The LORD told the holy man, <span style="color: red;"><b>"You have now seen hell."</b></span></div>
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They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was a large round table with the large pot of delicious stew that smelled so good that it smelled so god and made the holy man's mouth water. And the people were equipped with the same long handled spoons strapped to their arms. But these people were well nourished and plump. They were all laughing and talking and having just a wonderful, joyous time. </div>
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This puzzled the holy man so he told the LORD, "I don't understand. Why are they well fed and happy but the others are in such horrible situation. They BOTH have the same resources available. How can this be?"</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>"It's very simple,"</b></span> said the LORD, <span style="color: red;"><b>"it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think only of themselves."</b></span></div>
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<b><i>So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of the owners.</i></b></div>
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<b>--- Proverbs 1:19</b></div>
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Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-70182745178589306162013-12-20T15:22:00.002-06:002013-12-20T15:22:39.434-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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\<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>FOR THOSE WHO ARE</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>FOLLOWING THE </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>CHRISTMAS</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>IN HEAVEN POSTS,</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>WE HAVE ADDED A NEW</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>POEM ---</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Missing Mum and Dad at Christmas".</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>JUST CLICK ON THE </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN TAB</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>IT IS THE LAST POEM.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>May you all have a very blessed Christmas and may you be comforted by the LORD's </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>peace during this time.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>GOD BLESS </i></b></span></div>
Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-21002051089539693452013-12-07T03:00:00.000-06:002013-12-07T03:00:01.968-06:00MORAL STORY --- Shipwrecked and Prayerful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other choice but to pray to God.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> However, to find out whose prayers were more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's land remained barren.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a woman. The next day, another ship was wrecked and the only survivor was a woman who swan to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> Soon, the first man prayed for wood to build a house, remnants to make clothing and the tree to bear more fruit. The next day, like magic everything he prayed for was available.. However, the other side of the island was still bare just as it was when they first arrived.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> Finally, the first man prayed for a ship so that he and the woman could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked on his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with the woman and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy since none of his prayers had been answered.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> Just as the ship was about to leave, the man heard God's voice thundering down from Heaven, <em><span style="color: red;">"Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"</span></em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em> </em><span style="color: black;">"My blessings are mine alone since I was the one who prayed for them." The first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: red;"><em>"You are mistaken!" </em></span><span style="color: black;">The voice rebuked the man. </span><span style="color: red;"><em>"He had only one prayer which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."</em></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em> </em><span style="color: black;">"Oh yeah," the first man smugly remarked, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> "He prayed that all your prayers be answered."</span></strong></em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">MORAL: For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone but are those from another person praying for us. Remember this and always pray for others too!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: black; color: lime; font-size: large;"><em>Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. </em>--- James 5:16 (NLT)</span></strong>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-32293241061894058232013-11-23T03:00:00.000-06:002013-11-23T03:00:00.884-06:00DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a mother's womb were twin babies. One with a positive outlook and the second more pessimistic. One day the pessimist asked the other, "Do you believe in life after delivery?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> The positive baby replies, "Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "Nonsense!" says the pessimist baby. "There is no life after delivery! What would that life be?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "I don't know, but I'm sure there will be more light than in here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> The pessimist baby said, "That is absurd! Walking is impossible. And eat with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord is too short."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "I think there is something and maybe it's different than it is here."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "No one has ever come back from there. Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery it is nothing but darkness and anxiety and it takes us nowhere." the pessimist baby said becoming very agitated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "Well, I don't know but certainly we will see mother and she will take care of us."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "Mother?" screamed the pessimist baby. "You believe in mother? Where is she now?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "She is all around us. It is in her that we live. Without her there would not be this world."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "I don't see her, so it's logical that she doesn't exist." said the pessimist baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> "Sometimes, when you're in silence you can hear her. You can perceive her. I believe there is a reality after delivery and we are here to prepare ourselves for that reality." The positive baby concluded.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Can you imagine these thoughts going through an unborn child's mind? Trusting there will be an unknown entity (mother) who will take care of them when they leave the place they are being formed and growing. One places total trust in something it has never seen, yet senses that it IS out there waiting to care for him. While the other --- like unbelievers --- refuses to trust that there IS something more. The pessimist believes their life inside the womb is all there is and with a closed mind, refuses to think of the possibility of a mother caring for them</span></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">That is similar to unbelievers... they refuse to open their mind and believe in the possibility of an Almighty God who will care for them after they pass from this earth. They refuse to believe there can be more than this present life in which we live.</span></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">So God created man in His own image; in the image of God. He created him; male and female He created them.</span></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">--- Genesis 1:27 </span> </span></em>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-61662503331490054852013-11-21T03:00:00.000-06:002013-11-21T03:00:01.400-06:00INSIGTHFUL MESSAGE (God Said)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">God said, <span style="color: red;">"If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I Am a Healer?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you never went through difficulties then how would you know that I Am a Deliverer?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer and know I Am your Rock?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you never felt sadness, then how would you know I Am a Comforter?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you never made a mistake, then how would you know I Am a Forgiver?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you knew everything, then how would you know I Am your teacher who gives you Wisdom?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you were never in trouble, then how would you know I Am your Savior?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you never were broken, then how would you know I Am a Restorer and can make you whole again?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you never had a problem, then how would you know that I Am a Redeemer?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you had everything, then how would you know I Am your Provider?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you had all power, then how would you know I Am your Strong Tower?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If I never corrected you, then how would you know I love you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If your life was perfect, then why would you need Me?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If I never convict you, then how would you know right from wrong?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">God said, <span style="color: red;">"I Am!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-8464221974426484482013-11-20T03:00:00.000-06:002013-11-20T03:00:01.759-06:00INSPIRATIONAL STORY (The Pearl Necklace)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWidHl0ml3sYaU5sqJEgnroN8qWaI7GfD8I7aK2gpLRXARZqLj7nLsY5_Qoh8H3mYBJAGfwrW1HuNjLCkO0VZJ8lDTvKvUYn2az7XrhA38dQESM3s_qStSmMx6q_TOK9MOmGvuDN7lljE/s1600/Pearls.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWidHl0ml3sYaU5sqJEgnroN8qWaI7GfD8I7aK2gpLRXARZqLj7nLsY5_Qoh8H3mYBJAGfwrW1HuNjLCkO0VZJ8lDTvKvUYn2az7XrhA38dQESM3s_qStSmMx6q_TOK9MOmGvuDN7lljE/s1600/Pearls.gif" height="131" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny was a bright eyed, pretty five-year-old girl. One day when she and her mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl necklace priced at $5.00. She wanted that necklace and when she asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I'll tell you what, I'll buy you the necklace and when we get home we can make up a list of chores that you can do to pay for it. And don't forget, for your birthday, Grandma just might give you a whole dollar bill, too. Okay?"</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Jenny agreed and her mother bought the pearl necklace for her. Jenny worked on her chores very hard everyday, and sure enough, her Grandma gave her a brand new dollar bill for her birthday. Soon, Jenny had paid off the pearls.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Jenny loved those pearls. She wore them everywhere; to kindergarten, when she went to run errands for her mother, when visiting family and friends and even to bed when she slept at night. The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower because her mother had told her that they would turn her neck green.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Jenny had a very loving daddy who would read her bedtime stories at night. And on one particular night, when he finished reading her a story he asked her, "Jenny, do you love me?"</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Oh yes, daddy. You know I love you." the little girl replied.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Well, then, give me your pearls."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Oh! Daddy not my pearls!" Jenny insisted. "But you can have Rosie, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you can have her tea party set, too. okay?"</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Oh, no, darling that's okay," her daddy brushed her cheek with a kiss. "Good night little one."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> A week later, her daddy once again asked Jenny after reading her bedtime story, "Do you love me?'</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Oh, yes, daddy. You know I love you."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Well then, give me your pearls."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "Oh, daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you remember her? She is my favorite. Her hair is so soft and you can play with it and braid it and everything. You can have Ribbons if you want her, daddy." The little girl said.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "No, that okay," her daddy said and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. "God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Again a week later, when Jenny's dad came to read her a story, Jenny was sitting on her bed and her lip trembling, she said, "Here daddy," as she held out her hand. She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let it slip into her dad's hands. </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> At that moment, with one hand her daddy held the plastic pearl necklace and with the other hand, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box and handed it to her. "Now that you gave me these pearls, you can have this."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Jenny took the box, "what's inside, daddy?" She asked as she slowly and carefully began to open the box she held in her tiny hands. Inside was a real, genuine, beautiful, shiny pearl necklace.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> He had them all along. He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the real thing.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> That's how it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that He can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't God good?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> Are you holding onto things which God wants you to let go of? Are you holding onto harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities which you have become so attached to that it seems impossible to let go?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> Sometimes, it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing... God will NEVER take away something without giving you something better in it's place. We just have to learn to let go. </span></em></strong><br />
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Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-26471609907351608462013-11-19T11:07:00.000-06:002013-11-19T11:07:28.948-06:00INSPIRATIONAL STORY (The Piano Master)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually snuck off and ignoring the "NO ADMITTANCE" sign which hung above a door, the boy walked through anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> When the lights to the concert ballroom dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Assuming he went to the bathroom, she settled into her seat and just as the curtains parted, the spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway piano on stage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the boys ear, "Don't quit. keep playing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon, his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligate. Together, the old master and the young novice, transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> The audience was moved and very satisfied with the unexpected performance.</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;"> That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best but the results are not exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;"> Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Almighty whispering in your ear, <span style="color: red;">"Don't quit. Keep playing."</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia;"> <span style="color: purple;">Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true happiness.</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;"> Remember, God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies those called. And He will always be there to love and guide you onto great and amazing things.</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">Bless and be blessed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~<strong><em><span style="color: red;">One Love</span><span style="color: black;">~</span></em></strong></span>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-89392306879904132792013-08-16T03:00:00.000-05:002013-08-16T03:00:00.808-05:00MORAL STORY (The Bridge, The Bear and God)<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A bear was walking across Rainbow Bridge (Old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit, Truckee) one Saturday when two cars, also crossing the bridge, scared the bear into jumping over the edge of the bridge. Somehow the bear caught the ledge and was able to pull itself to safety</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Authorities decided that nothing could be done that day to help the bear. When they returned on Sunday morning, they found the bear sound asleep on the ledge.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">They secured a net under the bridge and tranquilized the bear</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">When he fell into the net they began to slowly and carefully lower it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Because it took such a long time to safely lower the net, the bear woke up. Although he didn't know what was going on,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">he remained calm and when the net reached the ground...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The bear simply walked out as if he was never in any danger.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">This old bear made a wrong move and found himself hanging by his nails. Fortunately, he was able to pull himself up onto the ledge but he was still in a bad position. The bear did not panic or try to get off that ledge. Instead, he took a nap and sure enough... God took care of the situation while he was asleep.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">MORAL: <span style="color: blue;">When confronted with a bad situation, sometimes the best solution is to take a nap and let God take care of the rest.</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I think I'm going to take a nap right now!</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 30:5<em>b Weeping may endure for a night,</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>But joy comes in the morning. </em>(NKJV)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">LET GO AND LET GOD!!!</span></em></strong></div>
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Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-36638373419789549522013-07-04T07:01:00.000-05:002013-07-04T07:01:54.702-05:00POEM (Freedom Isn't Free)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t_Fms9EaXvQsdICerzxQH9p66KguKYoSbheFw6gapeUF01w07nA7nViAzTWYbqkpWGxTIdZi9Ndy4WpwKi-_Qn2nrvsDoGiH1_U-XpzQK1HPybtaF3WuOeX4QRcZRxlxSJ1_45_YmIY/s960/4TH+OF+JULY+May+God+bless+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t_Fms9EaXvQsdICerzxQH9p66KguKYoSbheFw6gapeUF01w07nA7nViAzTWYbqkpWGxTIdZi9Ndy4WpwKi-_Qn2nrvsDoGiH1_U-XpzQK1HPybtaF3WuOeX4QRcZRxlxSJ1_45_YmIY/s400/4TH+OF+JULY+May+God+bless+u.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I watched the flag pass by one day,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">It fluttered in the breeze.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">A young Marine saluted it,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And then he stood at ease.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I looked at him in uniform,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">So young, so tall, so proud.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">With hair cut square and eyes alert,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He would stand out in any crowd.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I thought how many men like him,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Had fallen through the years?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">How many died on foreign soil?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And how many mother's have shed their tears?</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiX4I3wP0R6wsuYZcCKrlJzbO68BJnM-nuSi7rcA0fOx-Gq7Kmzz6n9Zx4Dr4CMIjwcsdFzi4yc3hl2a5NZU5_arTdg-wy-hxGkOXip8KqtdDVVRZ54TwFIr_37Efi0d4Z_QUmxuxQDw/s385/SOLDIER+CARRYING+WOUNDED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiX4I3wP0R6wsuYZcCKrlJzbO68BJnM-nuSi7rcA0fOx-Gq7Kmzz6n9Zx4Dr4CMIjwcsdFzi4yc3hl2a5NZU5_arTdg-wy-hxGkOXip8KqtdDVVRZ54TwFIr_37Efi0d4Z_QUmxuxQDw/s400/SOLDIER+CARRYING+WOUNDED.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">How many pilots' planes have been shot down?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">How many have died at sea?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">No, my friend, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqvf6K5G68yTzC292YiyQTutV4JcM2c3MqT_2a-1hzKQRQPKI0QJmo-7KqTOU99GUKg2TW2Qv8lnIn1VCoqqMvkShZYrdk0LaeZvRc_oZ3YZUmz-lzkIlbf_htKXSlhk6my8mfTRFG-0/s471/PILOTS+PLANES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqvf6K5G68yTzC292YiyQTutV4JcM2c3MqT_2a-1hzKQRQPKI0QJmo-7KqTOU99GUKg2TW2Qv8lnIn1VCoqqMvkShZYrdk0LaeZvRc_oZ3YZUmz-lzkIlbf_htKXSlhk6my8mfTRFG-0/s400/PILOTS+PLANES.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I heard the sound of Taps one night,</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">When everything was still.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I listened to the bugler play,</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And I felt a sudden chill.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I wondered just how many times,</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">That taps had meant 'Amen'</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">When a flag had draped a coffin,</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">of a brother or a friend.</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MxEsm8TUOLKplcaqqpQLV78lm8NyBebYqR5tyyMO7w1rl3pEgxFdie4JSiEBnQU3WpKiNyQMI_JVuz8sk3F-JnTlJmuxd84mCtosLzTQJAHUaMcxtLDLLHIdNK4ucejKfaGBNrF65-s/s960/MEMORIAL+DAY+with+no+words+or+VETERANS+DAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MxEsm8TUOLKplcaqqpQLV78lm8NyBebYqR5tyyMO7w1rl3pEgxFdie4JSiEBnQU3WpKiNyQMI_JVuz8sk3F-JnTlJmuxd84mCtosLzTQJAHUaMcxtLDLLHIdNK4ucejKfaGBNrF65-s/s400/MEMORIAL+DAY+with+no+words+or+VETERANS+DAY.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I thought of all the children,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Of the mothers daughters and the wives,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Of the fathers, sons, and husbands,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">All with interrupted lives.</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzTIvJ7a0rmv7okrW4sV3djr81VKM80Obf0ItBXBK-FYr7r2bfTPNQ6QMV8gBGSzXzMr8jX4R48_KlBTmFbcQ9xlwtfGXJ9TxtUhyphenhyphenBZDp-pI_gaauqmBaPjYOWZNjr0KR5x8iRlwLwjE/s377/SOLDIERS+FAMILY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzTIvJ7a0rmv7okrW4sV3djr81VKM80Obf0ItBXBK-FYr7r2bfTPNQ6QMV8gBGSzXzMr8jX4R48_KlBTmFbcQ9xlwtfGXJ9TxtUhyphenhyphenBZDp-pI_gaauqmBaPjYOWZNjr0KR5x8iRlwLwjE/s400/SOLDIERS+FAMILY.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I thought about a graveyard,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">At the bottom of the sea.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Of unmarked graves in Arlington,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">No, my friend, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNkkp22BjPsh5TiFU5WwfZX6qv-bc4j4mWoWCJsw-W4nTx9xkbwQ22M9ScsnDTLWGE2a5KT9pjnOujIhTl1oqgZC0gPDdKvHeZLXsmalVYp88V1NVk375tmKWnEmJJKa90KM1BiE75xA/s720/MEMORIAL+DAY+troops+offered+life+4+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNkkp22BjPsh5TiFU5WwfZX6qv-bc4j4mWoWCJsw-W4nTx9xkbwQ22M9ScsnDTLWGE2a5KT9pjnOujIhTl1oqgZC0gPDdKvHeZLXsmalVYp88V1NVk375tmKWnEmJJKa90KM1BiE75xA/s400/MEMORIAL+DAY+troops+offered+life+4+us.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">After you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for all our servicemen and women.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Of all the gifts you could give a United States soldier...</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">PRAYER IS THE VERY BEST!!!</span></em></strong><br />
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Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-28801994325327592492013-06-16T08:06:00.000-05:002013-06-16T08:06:59.188-05:00POEM (Daddy's Day)<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Her hair was up in a ponytail, </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Her favorite dress tied with a bow,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Today was Daddy's Day at school, </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And she couldn't wait to go.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But her mommy tried to tell her, </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">That she probably should stay home,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Why the kids might not understand,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">If she went to school alone.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But she was not afraid,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">She knew just what to say,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">What to tell her classmates,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Of why he wasn't there today.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But still her mother worried,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For her to face this day alone,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And that is why once again,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">She tried to keep her daughter home.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But the little girl went to school,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Eager to tell them all,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">About a dad she never seen,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">A dad who never will call.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">There were daddies along the wall in back,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For everyone to meet,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Children squirming impatiently,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Anxious in their seats.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">One by one the teacher called,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Each student from the class,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">To introduce their daddy,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">As seconds shortly passed.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">At last the teacher called her name,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Every child turned to stare,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Each of them was searching,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For a man who wasn't there.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"Where's her daddy at?"</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">She heard a boy call out,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"She probbably doesn't have one."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Another student dares to shout.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And from somewhere near the back,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">She heard a daddy say,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"Looks like another deadbeat dad,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Too busy to waste his day."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">The words did not offend her,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">As she smiled up at her mom,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And looked back at her teacher,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Who told her to go on.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And with hands behind her back, </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Slowly she began to speak,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And out from the mouth of a child,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Came words incredibly unique.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"My daddy couldn't be here,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Because he lives so far away.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But I know he wishes he could be,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Since this is such a special day.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And though you cannot meet him,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted you to know,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">All about my daddy,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And how much he loves me so.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He loved to tell me stories,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He taught me to ride my bike,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He surprised me with pink roses,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And taught me to fly a kite."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"We used to share fudge sundaes,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And ice cream in a cone,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And though you cannot see him, </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not standing here alone.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Cause my daddy's always with me,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Even though we are apart,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I know because he told me,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He'll forever be in my heart."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">With that, her little hand reached up,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And lay across her chest,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Feeling her own heartbeat,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Beneath her favorite dress.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Her mother stood in tears,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Proudly watching her daughter,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Who was wise beyond her years.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For she stood up,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For the love of a man not in her life,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Doing what was best for her,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Doing what was right.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And when she dropped her hand back down,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Staring straight into the crowd,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">She finished with a voice so soft,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But its message clear and loud.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"I love my daddy very much,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He's my shining star.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And if he could he'd be here,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But Heaven's just too far.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">You see he was a fireman,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And died just this past year,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">When airplanes hit the towers,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And taught Americans to fear.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But sometimes when I close my eyes,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">It's like he never went away."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And then she closes her eyes,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And saw him there that day</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And to her mother's amazement,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">She witnessed with surprise,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">A room full of daddies and children,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">All starting to close their eyes.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Who knows what they saw before them,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Who knows what they felt inside,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps for merely a second,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">They saw him by her side.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"I know you're with me Daddy."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">To the silence she called out,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And what happened next made believers,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Of those who were filled with doubt.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Not one in that room could explain it,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For each of their eyes had been closed,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">But there on the desk beside her,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">By the love of her shining bright star,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">And given the gift of believing,</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">That Heaven is never too far.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<em>~Cheryl Costello-Forshey~</em><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790853067900854189.post-73857950290516652632013-06-16T03:00:00.005-05:002013-06-16T03:00:06.320-05:00FATHER'S DAY PRAYERS<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Fatherhood has many challenges and hardships which every dad should bear with pride and happiness.How often do you take time to whisper a silent prayer to God for the health and happiness of your earthly father? This Father's Day, take this opportunity to seek blessings for your father with a special prayer of gratitude. </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"> Below are a few prayers that should describe all that you wish for your dad.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 1</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>Heavenly Father, in Your wisdom and love You make all things. Bless those fathers who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of parenting. Bless those who have lost a spouse to death... or divorce, who are parenting their children alone. Strengthen them by Your love that they may become the loving, caring people they are meant to be. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 2</span></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"> Dear Lord, bless all the fathers in the world. Guide them to be good role models and loving to all their children. Help them to be a father like You are. Give them grace and patience to handle situations in a loving way. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 3</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>Fathers everywhere, we honor you and wish to say... May God's blessings be with you in a special way today. Amen.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 4</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>Lord, please take care of our dads. Though they are brave and protective, they must also be frightened sometimes when money runs low and when we need things. Lord, when their hearts break because they can't do it all; please help us to let them know how much we love them and how much You love them. In Christ's Name I pray. Amen.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 5 </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>Lord, I thank You for my dad. Please take care of him. He is getting older but he is still brave and bold. Please take care of him. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 6</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>Thank You, Lord Jesus, for my dad who loves me. for my grandfather who cares for me, and for God, my Eternal Father, who made me and who is always with me. How blessed I am! Amen.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYER 7</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>God our Father, bless these men that they may find strength as fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a Spiritof profound respect. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong>Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760721710347689102noreply@blogger.com