tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91543912748288224032024-03-19T13:06:57.331-07:00Mayhem at the MobleysMaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-74409724212511138052023-05-01T12:58:00.002-07:002023-05-01T12:58:37.348-07:00Out of the Blues, Chapter 2, Part 3<p> 10. What can you personally, or for the sake of helping others, learn about overcoming depression from the Bible passages and examples used in these chapters?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">It is necessary to retrain thought patterns in order to overcome depression.</p></blockquote><p>11. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that some discouragement and disappointment is to be expected in this sinful world? Why?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">I agree that some discouragement and disappointment is to be expected in this sinful world simply because it is a sinful world. We sin and others sin against us and those sins have consequences that affect not only the one who committed the sin but others around him/her.</p></blockquote><p>12. How prone are you to constantly taking your emotional temperature and allowing your feelings to control your life? When have you done this? When have you deliberately not done this?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">I have done and still do this often. Many decisions I make I am trying not to do this anymore, not to think at all about how I feel about doing something that I know God wants me to do, but instead to just doing it regardless of how I feel.</p></blockquote><p>13. Why is being ruled or controlled by your feelings a dangerous practice?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Being ruled by your feelings is such a dangerous practice for many reasons:</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>our hearts are sinful and will lead us astray </li><li>our feelings change</li><li>we will be completely unreliable and cause logistical problems everywhere</li><li>it is a completely selfish way to live</li></ol><p></p></blockquote>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-68381209365192109142023-04-26T21:03:00.001-07:002023-04-26T21:03:42.051-07:00Out of the Blues, Chapter 2, Part 2<p> 5. What is the main point of the section in this chapter entitled, "Putting It All Together"?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Depression affects every area of one's life: physical, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, theological and historical. Each of these areas needs to be evaluated to correctly define the problem.</p></blockquote><p>6. What did you learn about depression from learning and studying these chapters?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">I learned that mild depression when not dealt with according to biblical principles can lead to moderate depression and moderate depression when not dealt with according to biblical principles can lead to severe depression. I hope to learn more about how to properly address my emotions so that they do not lead to further depression.</p></blockquote><p>7. Which of the Bible passages or examples used in this chapter was most interesting or meaningful to you in understanding depression?</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Elijah because I can relate with so much of how his experience especially as described by Krummacher:</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>distracted by doubts</li><li>his spirit was too afflicted for common society</li><li>he went alone</li><li>sank down under the load of his melancholy thoughts</li><li>thick darkness</li><li>perplexed</li><li>doubts and distressing thoughts</li><li>utter despair</li><li>full of gloomy and painful thoughts</li><li>painful conflicts and fruitless labors</li><li>unable any longer to bear the burden of life</li><li>O Lord, take away my life</li></ul></ul>8/9. Have you ever encountered/personally experienced any of the three types of depression? <i>Yes, all three.</i><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Describe how you were affected by your depression:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>physically--it is hard to get out of bed, to do even the most mundane tasks like washing the dishes, to exercise, to eat. The only thing that is easy to do is nap.</li><li>emotionally--I cry for no reason and often inconsolably. I am easily angered or frustrated. I experience feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, inability to do anything right, that I let people down, despair, loneliness, etc.</li><li>behaviorally--I withdraw from church and church activities and even from my own family. I fail to keep appointments. I can't keep up with housework or laundry or cooking, basically I'm unable to manage the home in any way. </li><li>intellectually/cognitively--my brain becomes muddled and clouded, so that even planning basic family logistics is overwhelming. I forget things and can't focus to read anything.</li><li>spiritually--it becomes so difficult to read my Bible and especially to pray, so difficult that I end up either praying the same thing over and over or just sob and weep before the Lord. Bible study becomes a chore rather than a joy. I feel that I have been abandoned by God and His people.</li><li>historically--I have a habit of going through the mild-moderate-severe depression cycle to varying degrees. At times, with God's help, I may be able to resist the destructive thought patterns at the mild or moderate stage. but I have sadly experienced the severe depression many times also.</li></ul><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-52383409064048124012023-04-12T07:04:00.000-07:002023-04-12T07:04:01.513-07:00Out of the Blues Application Questions Chapter 2, Part 1<p> 1. What biblical examples were given of the third category of depression?</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>the disciples after Jesus' death</li><li>David (Psalm 32 and Psalm 38)</li><li>Elijah (1 Kings 19)</li></ul><div>2. What are some of the symptoms of this type of depression?</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>utter hopelessness</li><li>feels like it's impossible to keep going</li><li>spirit of heaviness</li><li>gloom</li><li>small/easy tasks are overwhelming</li><li>fatigue</li><li>crying easily</li><li>dwell on misery</li></ul><div>3. What is meant by the statement that the third category of depression is one of the conditions with much halo data?</div></div><div>Halo data are physically observed signs and symptoms. This means that a severely depressed person displays many physical symptoms.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Describe the difference between Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 and the third category of depression.</div><div>The person who is severely depressed is hopeless. In 2 Corinthians 4:6-9, Paul states that they are not:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>crushed</li><li>despairing</li><li>forsaken</li><li>destroyed</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-50361396687829824742023-03-27T09:02:00.001-07:002023-03-27T09:02:50.949-07:00Out of the Blues Application Questions Chapter 1, Part 2<p> What biblical examples were given of the second category of depression?</p><p>The second category of depression is categorized as moderate depression. Mack provides biblical examples who fall into this category as a result from a wrong response to mild depression. Rather than acknowledging but not submitting to their feelings, these people submit to their feelings. Their focus becomes their circumstances and feelings and they look inward and horizontally rather than upward toward God. Some biblical examples are:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Asaph writes in Psalm 73 that he came close to stumbling. He falls into this category because he came close but did not lose hope in the Lord.</li><li>Jeremiah also experienced severe emotions but did not lose hope (Lamentations 3)</li><li>The third example provided by Mack is the Psalmist in Psalms 42 and 43. The Psalmist describes being in despair, disturbed, mourning. However, the Psalmist did not give up entirely. He continued to trust in God. </li></ul><div>What are some symptoms of this type of depression?</div><div><br /></div><div>Some symptoms of this type of depression are identified in the following quote from Mack:</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>...these people find that they begin to cry easily, become easily annoyed, experience longer periods of sadness, and have difficulty performing the normal activities of life. Their minds are set on the negative aspects of their life-earthly things-rather than on God's promises, purposes, and power-things above.</blockquote></div></blockquote>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-28964618776898380442023-03-22T10:55:00.002-07:002023-03-22T10:55:25.987-07:00Out of the Blues: Application Questions from Chapter 1 Part 1<p> After recording my initial thoughts about chapter 1 from <i>Out of the Blues</i> by Wayne Mack, I thought maybe it would be prudent to step back and take some time to carefully consider the application questions. </p><p>1. How common is the problem of depression in society?</p><p>The answer to this question really depends on the definition of depression. Certainly, everyone at some point in time experiences feelings of sadness or anxiety or disappointment or difficulty concentrating. These are all symptoms of depression. Probably for many people, this is simply a response to circumstances and likely the majority of people currently being medicated for depression fall into this category. According to Mack's experience as a biblical counselor, depression can affect people of any age, any ethnicity, any economic status, even any educational background. Mack is very careful to point out that he is not addressing depression that is "physically or biologically induced."</p><p>2. What is meant by the statement that depression is truly a "democratic" disorder?</p><p>This statement indicates that depression affects people of any gender, age, ethnicity, economic status, social status, and educational background.</p><p>3. What are the three categories of depression?</p><p>The three categories are mild, moderate and severe. </p><p>4. Why is the word "depression" described as a "catchall term"?</p><p>The word depression is used to describe a variety of emotional experiences ranging from sadness to utter despair, so depression is really a catchall term. When we say someone is depressed, it's not clear where that person falls along the spectrum of depression. Thus, it is helpful to think of the different categories of depression mentioned above.</p><p>5. What biblical examples were given of the first category of depression?</p><p>Jesus: Jesus came to earth as both man and God. In His humanity, He experienced feelings of sorrow and sadness. Scripture records times when Jesus experienced these emotions, when He learned of the death of John the Baptist, when followers left Him, when Mary wept at His feet after the death of Lazarus. Although Jesus experienced these feelings and emotions, He was not controlled by His emotions. He always followed the will of His Father in Heaven. Jesus said, "<span class="text John-8-28" id="en-NASB1995-26410" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span class="woj">When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am <i style="font-size: 16px;">He</i>, and <span style="font-size: 10px;"> </span>I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-8-29" id="en-NASB1995-26411" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj">And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." (John 8:28-29)</span></span></p><p><span class="text John-8-29" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj">6. What are some symptoms of this kind of depression?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Some symptoms of this type of depression are discouragement, disappointment, and sadness.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">7. What reasons were given to support the idea that there is nothing wrong with a Christian experiencing sorrow?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Mack points out that in Scripture we observe that a person may experience joy and sorrow at the same time. Some examples he provides are:</span></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ecclesiastes 3:4: There is "a time to <i>weep</i> and a time to <i>laugh</i>."</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Peter 1:6: "In this you greatly <i>rejoice</i>, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been <i>distressed</i> by various trials."</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Thessalonians 4:13: "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope." </span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;">My grief as a Christian should not be like that of the non-Christian. I may experience grief but I should never lose hope. I can always have hope in the coming of Jesus and the promised resurrection while experiencing the downs of life in a sinful world. I can and should always have joy in the midst of sorrow.</span></div><p></p>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-33504753064384405582023-03-09T21:19:00.001-08:002023-03-09T21:19:58.447-08:00Is Depression a Sin Part 2<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wayne Mack in <i>Out of the Blues</i> labels the second form of depression as moderate depression. While mild depression is a sadness or sorrow in response to experiences and is common to all believers, moderate depression is due to a wrong response to mild depression. If a believer experiences mild depression yet does not submit to his feelings, the mild depression will not escalate to moderate depression. However, if a believer experiences mild depression and submits to his feelings, the mild depression will escalate to moderate depression. The person who experiences moderate depression focuses on their circumstances and their feelings rather than on God. Mack says, "People who do this are ruled by their spirits, neglect biblical responsibilities, lose hope, and find that they get less and less satisfaction from spiritual things." This person's mind is focused on the negative feelings and emotions rather than on God and His power and promises and purposes. Examples of this form of depression found in Scripture are Asaph in Psalm 73, Jeremiah in Lamentations, and the Psalmist in Psalms 42 and 43. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I admit that I am this person. When something that I perceive as "bad" happens, it becomes the focus of my thoughts. Rather than focusing my thoughts upward to the Lord, they are focused on feelings of hurt, loneliness, worthlessness, anger, etc. It is hard to pray; it is hard to read the Bible; it is hard to go to church. I know that I should focus on the Lord, yet there is a such a strong pull to focus on my feelings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some verses that apply here are:</span></p><p><span class="text Col-3-1" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colossians 3:1-4</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Col-3-1" style="background-color: white;">Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Col-3-2" id="en-NASB1995-29520" style="background-color: white;">Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Col-3-3" id="en-NASB1995-29521" style="background-color: white;">For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Col-3-4" id="en-NASB1995-29522" style="background-color: white;">When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Philippians 4:8-9</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-8" id="en-NASB1995-29451" style="background-color: white;">Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Phil-4-9" id="en-NASB1995-29452" style="background-color: white;">The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.</span></span></p><p><span><span class="text Col-3-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Romans 8:5-6</span></span></p><p><span><span class="text Col-3-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-8-5" id="en-NASB1995-28122">For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-6" id="en-NASB1995-28123">For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,</span></span></span></p>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-31612623058773670042023-03-07T06:56:00.006-08:002023-03-07T06:57:42.379-08:00Is Depression a Sin<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is depression a sin? This is the question that has been nagging at my heart and mind lately. I intend to use this platform as a means to record personal reflections as I pursue the answer to this question. I am reading through the book <i>Out of the Blues</i> by Wayne Mack.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe the first thing to do is to define depression. Depression has a range of symptoms: sadness, anxiety, difficulty thinking clearly, lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness. Although I became a Christian in 1998, I have struggled with this since a very early age and continue to struggle with this. I began taking antidepressants in 2002 and have been on them on and off since then. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Mack begins by breaking depression down into three categories: mild depression, moderate depression and severe depression. Mild depression is sadness or disappointment about something. He even provides an example of Jesus experiencing sadness at the death of John the Baptist and at the grief of Mary and others at the death of Lazarus. This type of depression is a normal response to events that happen in our lives. It is right to grieve over the death of a loved one. Sadness in response to an experience is not wrong or sinful as long as we do not lose the hope we have that Jesus is coming again and we will be with Him forever. Some verses that shed light on this are:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 12:15: <span style="background-color: white;">Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Hebrews 12:11: </span><span style="background-color: white;">All discipline for the moment seems not to be </span><span style="background-color: white;">joy</span><span style="background-color: white;">ful, but sorrowful.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">2 Corinthians 1:3-4: </span><span class="text 2Cor-1-3" id="en-NASB1995-28804" style="background-color: white;">Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-1-4" id="en-NASB1995-28805" style="background-color: white;">who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">God has created us with emotions, including sadness and disappointment. Therefore, experiencing these feelings is not sinful. Jesus, who lived a perfect life, Himself experienced these feelings.</span></p>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-22241787607468160942020-05-24T20:44:00.005-07:002020-05-24T20:44:54.213-07:00On Eagles' WingsThis is a late post from my devotional thoughts two weeks ago. Quarantine life can be busy, that's all I can say.<br />
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In Exodus 19, God speaks to Moses after having delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. He instructs Moses to tell the people:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought You to Myself. </i></blockquote>
I have read this many times in my Christian life. I have even sung this many times in my Christian life. But, now, for the first time in my life I am wondering why did God choose to reference the eagle in this passage? Every American should be familiar with the bald eagle as an emblem of our country, signifying freedom. If I bring that idea to this text; however, I introduce error by imposing my own culture upon the culture to whom God was speaking through Moses.<br />
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I haven't spent too much time thinking about the eagle's characteristics, I guess, because I don't see eagles very often. However, I imagine that the image of an eagle would have been more relevant to the nomadic culture addressed here. What are the notable qualities of the eagle? I can think of three. First, eagles are extremely powerful. Second, they have extraordinary eyesight. Third, they are known to soar higher than any other bird. I think this last quality is where the heart of the meaning of this verse lies. As I read and write, I am picturing an eagle swooping down and then soaring to great heights.<br />
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Perhaps God chooses to reference the eagle to illustrate what He has saved the Israelites FROM and TO. He has performed miraculous signs in front of all the Egyptians, displaying His superiority to the gods of the Egyptians. This all culminated with Him leading the Israelites safely across the Red Sea and then drowning the entire Egyptian army. Thus, God delivered the Israelites FROM a state of servitude to men. Not only did He bring them out, but He also brought them TO a place far above this servitude, the very presence of the true and living GOD. There is certainly no higher place.<br />
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How blessed we are to have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transported into the kingdom of light. Because God the Father planned, because the God the Son carried out, and because God the Holy Spirit applied this salvation to our hearts, we have been set free from our bondage to sin. Now, we are free to worship the true living God and to dwell in His presence forever and ever.Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-33371273300675486412020-05-09T17:46:00.000-07:002020-05-09T17:46:50.229-07:00Why Frogs?Over the course of the past week, I read Exodus 8 through 17. This portion of Scripture is a narrative explaining the many plagues that God brought upon Egypt culminating in the exodus of God's people from Egypt into the wilderness. I was curious about the particular plagues that are recounted in this passage. In particular, why frogs? Personally, I find frogs kinda gross, but not particularly threatening. So, why did God threaten Pharaoh that his land would be filled with frogs if he did not release the Israelites? Egypt was a polytheistic culture with numerous gods. It turns out that one of them was Heqet, a goddess of fertility, who represented in the form of a frog. Thus, through this plague God demonstrates to everyone in Egypt, including the Israelites, that He is more powerful than this god. And so it is with all the plagues. With each plague, God demonstrates that He is the One true Creator, the One true Sustainer, the One true Judge.<br />
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This passage really just came alive to me this week and I really heard God speaking: "Worship ME. Honor ME. Serve ME." Some verses that really stood out include:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Exodus 11:3 <i>Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people. </i></li>
<li>Exodus 12:12 <i>Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD. </i></li>
<li>Exodus 14:4 <i>The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD. </i></li>
<li>Exodus 14:31 <i>When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.</i></li>
</ul>
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This is the purpose of my life. Not money. Not pleasures. Not beauty. Not fame. Not anything this world offers. The goal of my life is simply to reflect. To reflect the might and power and glory of my God so that more and more may see and worship also. </div>
Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-66576760387315303912020-05-03T21:04:00.000-07:002020-05-03T21:06:25.393-07:00The Battle<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This week I have been reading the beginning of the Exodus. Another familiar story, but God's word is living and active and He speaks through even familiar stories. Moses and Aaron, called by God, approach the Pharaoh of Egypt. They demand that the Hebrew people, who are bound in slavery to the Egyptians, be set free. Of course, the Pharaoh refuses. So, Moses and Aaron request the people be permitted to go into the wilderness to worship the Lord. Not only does the Pharaoh refuse this request. He also punishes the Hebrew slaves even more. While previously they had been provided straw to make a quota of bricks, now they must gather their own straw and still produce the exact same quota. Of course this is impossible and the foremen are beaten for their laziness and inability to perform. This is the part that struck me. What is the response of the Hebrew foremen? They blame Moses and Aaron, saying: " <span style="background-color: white;">May the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> look upon you and judge </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">you</i><span style="background-color: white;">, for you have </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-1654Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-1654Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">made </span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-1654l" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-1654l" title="See footnote l">l</a>]" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">us odious in Pharaoh’s sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” In the midst of their oppression, they see the very ones sent by God to deliver them as their enemy. The reader, however, can see a more accurate picture of what is really happening. We see that Moses and Aaron are being sent by God, the sovereign I AM. They are merely instruments of the faithful God, who made a covenant with the people, who are held in bondage. We also see in Exodus 4:21 the reason for Pharaoh's response: "</span><span style="background-color: white;">I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." This is not a battle between Moses and Aaron and the Hebrews or between Moses and Aaron and the Pharaoh. Of course, it cannot be, for our battle is not against flesh and blood. This is a battle between a good God and the forces of evil. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">In a way, I see similar responses in our current situation. Some blame the federal government. Some blame the health officials. Some blame the scientists. Some blame the local government. Isn't that similar to what the Hebrew slaves did? Is our battle against other people? I answer no. There is a much larger battle going on, between God and the spiritual forces of evil. If that is what I truly believe, then my response to this global pandemic should fall in line. How can I respond to a battle that occurs in the spiritual realm? I must fight this battle with prayer.</span></span>Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-72799665354946238702020-04-25T22:48:00.002-07:002020-04-25T22:48:28.170-07:00The Faith of JosephCertainly, the story of Joseph found in the book of Genesis is one of the most exciting in Scripture. Favoritism and jealousy. Seduction and lies. Clemency and execution. Rags and riches. Guilt and forgiveness. My devotions were action-packed, for sure.<div>
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There is so much to glean from the story of Joseph. Flee from sin. Trust in God's sovereignty. Forgive your enemies. Every gift is from God and for His glory. But, this time around, God was teaching me something different. So many questions surfaced in my mind, all about Joseph's faith. Clearly, Joseph was a man of strong faith. What did that faith look like from day to day? Did he ever question God? Did he ask God WHY? Why did you allow this to happen? Did he ask God WHY? Why am I here? Personally, when I am going through a hard spell, I pray, read God's Word, and talk and pray with a trusted friend. These are things that God uses to encourage me and to strengthen my faith when it is tested. So, I'm wondering about Joseph because he had no written word and probably no comrades. His would-be comrades were the ones who landed him in slavery and ultimately a jail cell. So, I am left to conclude that (1) God alone was not only the source of his faith but also the sustainer of his faith and (2) God's Word was in his heart.</div>
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So, my application from this text is to work hard to hide God's Word in my heart. Who knows? The time may come when God's word is taken from us. If that happens, then what will we have? Only what is in our hearts. Even if we retain access to God's Word, we may lose our eyesight. We may lose our hearing. We may lose our minds. BUT, no one can take away what is in our hearts. </div>
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A long time ago, I played piano for a church service in a retirement home. There was this one woman named Elizabeth, who suffered from Alzheimer's. During our 20 minute service, she would shout out probably at least ten times the same thing, "I LOVE you. I just LOVE you and THANK you." It was kind of annoying, but also heart-warming. Over the years, this woman had stored up love for God and His Word and that came out of her mouth over and over and over. She just didn't remember she had said it already. I hope that when I am old and gray and in a retirement home that God's Word will continue to pour forth from my mouth. But, more importantly, I hope that the Word will bear the fruit of a heart dedicated to the Lord.</div>
Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-90782459128101876202020-04-16T21:49:00.000-07:002020-04-16T21:49:49.697-07:00JACOBJACOB. I have never understood the appeal of this name. Apologies to all the Jacobs of this world. It has nothing to do with you. In the past reading about Jacob in the Bible has left me with one and only one word connection. You say, "JACOB," I say, "DECEIVER." He deceived Esau and obtained his birthright. He deceived Isaac and obtained his blessing. I even wonder are there other events not recorded in Scripture of his deceit? It seems like Jacob had developed a pattern of getting by trickery. He sounds like the type of guy I would caution my kids to avoid.<br />
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Yet, it is to this deceiver, this trickster, that God revealed the staircase going up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. Further, God promises: <i>I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.</i> This kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Like, why does this guy get away with this stuff? Certainly, God's gotta know what is in his heart. Terrible things happened when Abraham failed to trust God and sought his blessing in alternative ways. Hagar anyone?<br />
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We all know what happens next. Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine with his relative Laban. He gets tricked into marrying both Leah and Rachel and working for a sum total of 14 years, not to mention having his wages changed repeatedly. Through all this hardship, God is with him and blesses him.<br />
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When Jacob finally runs away from Laban, it seems that this deceiver has undergone a significant heart change. Terrified of Esau, who years earlier had wanted to kill him because of his deceit, he prays to God. This prayer is very revealing: <i>I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant.</i> Then, later that very night, he wrestles with God, saying, <i>I will not let you go unless you bless me.</i><br />
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Now, I really like this guy. I guess that's not quite right. I really like what God has done in this guy. I like that he sees himself correctly before the holy God. He sees that he is a sinner, undeserving of God's love and faithfulness. He also sees his position in God's kingdom. Although he is the next chosen patriarch of God's people, he sees himself as God's servant. Lastly, he sees so clearly that his greatest need is God's blessing. Convinced of this, he wrestles and fights with all that he has for God's blessing. No longer is he trying to obtain this blessing through deception. Rather, he humbles himself and begs and pleads and understands that God's blessing is conditioned upon one thing and one thing only: God's covenantal love and faithfulness.<br />
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So, if your baby-making factory is still open, I endorse the name Jacob for your progeny.Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-76230770684667394222020-04-14T14:02:00.000-07:002020-04-14T14:02:29.492-07:00I AM the Resurrection and the LifeOur pastor has been preaching through the seven I AM statements of Jesus. On Easter Sunday, the sermon was, quite appropriately, on Jesus' statement found in John 11:15 <i>I am the resurrection and the life.</i> I have honestly always read this and thought about it in terms of Jesus being the only One who can give us spiritual life. Through the sermon and reflection time afterwards, God is showing me that this also applies to my life here on earth.<br />
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Over the past several months, a sinful discontentment has been rising within my heart. Every single one of my kids is going through their own unique trials crafted by God's loving hands, but sometimes it is just overwhelming to try to walk with each one of them through their trials. I am so often tempted to give up. Often, I have the thought that life would be so much easier if they just went to public school. Maybe you want to know, what really is so hard about being a stay-at-home mom?<br />
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Not one particular thing, honestly. Parenting and discipleship is just emotionally exhausting. When I try to help two parties to make peace, but it really doesn't seem like they even want to reconcile, it is exhausting. When I have to confront one of the kids about a sin, but I know I will be met with hostility and blame-shifting and finger-pointing, it is exhausting. When I have to remind someone again and again to do something knowing full well that they will not appreciate the reminder and STILL forget, it is exhausting. And exhaustion leads to frustration and frustration leads to discouragement and discouragement leads to quitting.<br />
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So, I am convinced that I need to draw strength moment by moment from the source of life, Jesus.Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-40728454870758949962020-04-11T06:43:00.001-07:002020-04-11T06:43:35.118-07:00Seek PeaceIt has been such a blessing to be able to take this week as a time of reflection on Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Too often I find myself caught up in the daily grind, in cooking and laundry and cleaning and teaching and managing and shepherding and discipling and grading and ... Often, I just don't take the time to remember how dark a place I was in when God saved me, the true despair I felt when he opened my heart to respond to the gospel and the great joy and freedom that I experienced when I entered into a relationship with Him.<br />
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I wonder if I am alone. I wonder if just the busyness of life in this world keeps us from evaluating our hearts before God. Perhaps social distancing measures afford us a great opportunity with the removal of so much that could occupy our time. Now is our chance to evaluate the state of our own hearts before God and to seek answers to the meaningful questions of life.<br />
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The most important question we can ask is what will happen when I die. What will happen when I die? One of my favorite illustrations of the significance of this question comes from Francis Chan. He takes a reaaaaalllly long rope and then has one inch of it colored a different color. That inch of rope represents our life on this earth. The rest represents the time spent in eternity. What we do during that inch determines how we spend the remainder of the rope. If we confess our sins and trust in Jesus during this inch of time, then we also will spend the rest of the rope with Him in glory.<br />
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In order to answer the question what will happen when I die, we have to come to an understanding of who we are and who God is. I think we all know in our hearts that God is and that He is holy and righteous and good. I also think, after being quarantined with our families for nearly a month, we also know that we are sinners as is every other human being. But, here's the thing, because God is holy and we are sinful, we can't be together. We can't have a relationship. We are enemies. Since we are created to worship, we end up worshiping other things trying to satisfy that inner longing. Beauty. Sports. Friends. Movies. Success. Education. Money. Music. Religion. The list goes on and on. Ultimately, though, pursuing one of these things fills but does not satisfy the true need of our heart. So, then the question is how CAN this inner longing be satisfied? Not just filled, but satisfied.<br />
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And that, my friends, is what this Easter season is all about. Our true need is peace. Peace with God. We long for that relationship with God, for true peace and rest. God sent His only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for us. We sinned. He paid the price for our sins, by being beaten, tortured and crucified. And why? Because of the Father's great love for us. This still blows my mind. Why does God save me? God does not need me for his happiness or completeness. So why bother to save anyone? His salvation is a true gift borne out of His love.<br />
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My desire is for you to take the time to consider whether you have this peace in your heart. I am here to help you and pray with you and study and seek the Lord and His peace with you.<br />
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I'm just going to end this post with the words of one of my favorite praise songs, an oldie for sure but a goodie forever. This song always reminds me of how God just changed the course of my life in an instant with His love, joy, and peace.<br />
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He gave me beauty for ashes<br />
The oil of joy for mourning<br />
The garment of praise<br />
For the spirit of heaviness<br />
That we might be trees of righteousness<br />
The planting of the Lord<br />
That He might be glorified.Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-42788584933104459472020-04-07T21:52:00.006-07:002020-04-07T21:52:54.501-07:00ConflictI really like the abbreviated term for coronavirus: COVID. In our house, I believe it stands for: <u>C</u>ome <u>O</u>ut <u>V</u>exation <u>I</u>n <u>D</u>roves. Seriously. The conflict in this house has increased. A LOT! More often than not the fighting is over such petty things. I'll give you five examples of real situations.<div>
<ul>
<li>Who will be the first to do Veritas Bible--Come on, really? You wanna fight about being the first to learn about the Prince of Peace?!?</li>
<li>What route we take on our run/bikeride--Whatever route we take, we're gonna start at the same spot and end at the same spot, talk to no one, touch nothing, and the distance will be the same. Does it really matter?</li>
<li>Thefts--OK, I almost understand this, except the item that we're talking about is a...PENCIL. A PENCIL. Yellow. No eraser. #2. No finger grip. No design. Geez. If you wanna fight for a pencil, at least make it for one with an eraser!</li>
<li>Looks--Mama, he's looking at me! You are sitting across from him. Of course, he's looking at you. Yea, but he's looking at me THAT way. Calm down. It has nothing to do with you. He just doesn't like what we're eating.</li>
<li>Who has to (insert any chore here)--This one makes no sense to me. By the time they figure out who was the last person to do it and work out some system for who should do it now, it could have been done ten times.</li>
</ul>
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It is funny to recount these now, but, in the moment, they are far from pleasant. I feel like a broken record. Let these two principles govern your actions: (1) Love one another and (2) Do to others what you would have them do to you. But, it just doesn't sink in. CONFLICT! I often feel like I am trying to help people make peace who don't even want to make peace. That is kind sorta really really hard. I actually gave myself a time out yesterday. In the car. </div>
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One of my pastors says, "God does not waste anything." In my frustration with all the conflict, I was missing seeing God's purpose. I'm sure there are many purposes for the conflict, but here are a few things that I am thinking about. </div>
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<ol>
<li>Sin is in us. As long as we live on this earth, we will battle against sin. Sin in our hearts will tempt us to be self-loving and other-hating. Sin will breed quarrels. </li>
<li>Jesus died for our sins. God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross. He suffered the penalty for sin for one reason: LOVE. It is only by faith in His sacrificial love for us that we can have peace with God.</li>
<li>This world is not my home. I am just passing through this world. I am not going to get comfy here. There are going to be quarrels and fighting this side of heaven. I am so looking forward to eternity in heaven with a holy and righteous God. No crying. No pain. No fighting.</li>
</ol>
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Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-17621789540532776122020-04-05T16:46:00.000-07:002020-04-05T16:46:19.992-07:00CompassionAlong with many other members of our church, we sponsor a child through Compassion in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I even had the opportunity to visit our sponsored child last summer! In addition, our elementary and youth ministries each sponsor a child in the same region. Recently, I read an article highlighting the effects of COVID-19 in this region of Ecuador. To say that this region has been hit hard is an understatement. The death toll over the next few months is estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,500.<br />
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I have not cried so hard or so much in a very long time. The tears are not just sad tears but also angry tears. I don't even know who I am angry with. I am just angry that there is such a disparity between the rich and the poor in this world. Yesterday, I read John 12:1-8, where Mary anoints Jesus feet with expensive perfume to prepare him for burial. The words of John 12:8 stood out: <i>For you always have the poor with you...</i> Right now, I am wondering do I really? Do I really have the poor <i>with</i> me? There is something wrong in my heart and my mind because I do not have the poor <i>with </i>me. Please bear with me. I hope my thoughts will become clear soon.<br />
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This pandemic has affected each one of us in some ways. Some of the ways people have been affected in our area are:<br />
<ol>
<li>Many can't find toilet paper or elastic. We are stocked, but others have found it hard to come by!</li>
<li>My husband is working from home full-time. We are fortunate that he does computer simulations, so his work is not disrupted for the most part. Others at UCI have had to shut down labs for the time being.</li>
<li>Sports have been canceled. For my family, this means no soccer practice for Mary and no swim practice for the others. No soccer games or tournaments. No swim meets.</li>
<li>All classes are canceled or moved online. We homeschool, but do virtual Spanish classes. This hasn't changed much, but that our Spanish teachers are conducting classes out of their homes rather than the center. With our Tuesday virtual classes, we have been "suffering" with the teachers in learning how to use the technology. The biggest challenge has been finding enough quiet space for each child to participate in their classes simultaneously. </li>
<li>All worship and Bible studies and accountability groups have moved online.</li>
<li>Recreational facilities are closed. In our neighborhood, we have four swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and so may playgrounds. All are closed.</li>
<li>Libraries are closed. Maybe this is a plus to some, but our kids love going to the library on the weekends and stocking up on books.</li>
<li>Restaurants offer carry out only. We don't eat out much, so this is not a big deal for us honestly, but I do my once a week milk tea from Cha.</li>
<li>Doctor's office have moved to telemedicine.</li>
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While life for us has changed significantly in that much that was available before is no longer available, I can't help but marvel at the irony that I am "suffering" because of my wealth. Perhaps, part of what God is working in my heart through this pandemic is a deeper compassion for those in Ecuador and other places in the world who struggle to provide the basic necessities for their families. Perhaps</div>
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<ol>
<li>Seeing store shelves ransacked should make me have compassion for those who struggle to eat only one meal a day</li>
<li>Converting a closet into a work from home office should make me have compassion for those who live with many families in one house with holes in the walls and roof.</li>
<li>Washing my hands over and over should make me have compassion for those who don't have access to clean water</li>
<li>Perhaps the canceling of all sports activities should make me have compassion for those who have no shoes</li>
<li>Struggling with distance learning should make me have compassion for those who are not able to read or write or count</li>
<li>Not being able to go to the library should make me have compassion for those who have nothing to read</li>
<li>Not being able to go to the doctor should make me have compassion for those who do not have Tylenol or bandaids let alone access to a doctor or a hospital</li>
<li>Most important of all, perhaps worshiping online should make me have more compassion for those who do not have a Bible or are cut off from their church community.</li>
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So, for me I think I am learning that I do have the poor with me and how to pray more for the poor with me.</div>
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Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-8215002283295342542020-04-03T21:02:00.000-07:002020-04-03T21:02:11.729-07:00Unpopular & Popular ThingsI've been kind of getting a little depressed with all of the news lately, so I gotta lighten things up today. I've seen these lists float around Facebook, so I'm gonna give it a go.<br />
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<b>10 Unpopular Things I Love</b><br />
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<ol>
<li><i>Washing Dishes</i>--For some inexplicable reason, this is my favorite chore. I guess that's a good thing because we make loads of dirty dishes. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner x8 plus many snacks.</li>
<li><i>Mowing the Lawn</i>--For those who have been to my house, you may have noticed that we have no grass. This saddens me, but I know my native plants are saving water.</li>
<li><i>Documentaries</i>--When I have free time, I love, love, love watching documentaries. From mountain climbing to barista competitions to the Spanish flu, I find documentaries fascinating.</li>
<li><i>Running</i>--OK, this one is a gamble because running could be considered popular or unpopular depending on the company you keep. It seems to me that it's more often unpopular, so it's on the list. I LOVE running on trails, especially in our local preserve area.</li>
<li><i>Spreadsheets</i>--I guess some people consider this bean counting or tedious, the equivalent of watching paint dry. Well, not me. You need a spreadsheet, I'm your gal.</li>
<li><i>Editing</i>--Sometimes I wonder if enjoying editing is sinful, like does enjoying correcting other's mistakes in writing stem from the same root as pointing out faults in others. </li>
<li><i>Organizing</i>--My family loves and hates this one. Sometimes, they thank me for finding new ways to organize things in the home; other times they complain that they can't find anything anymore.</li>
<li><i>Staying Hom</i>e--I'm an introvert at heart, so venturing out is the struggle.</li>
<li><i>Frosting</i>--These days many are trying to cut back their sugar intake, myself included. Still, you keep the cake; I'll take the frosting.</li>
<li><i>Jesus & the Gospel</i>--I am so thankful to call Jesus my Savior AND my Lord. I made a commitment to follow Him many years ago. I have not walked perfectly, but I DO love Him and seek to live a life to bring glory and honor to Him. He alone is worthy of all the praise, honor, and glory!</li>
</ol>
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<b>10 Popular Things I Can Do Without</b></div>
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(No explanation on these because it's obvious, at least to me.)<br /><ol>
<li>Matcha</li>
<li>Coconut</li>
<li>Malls</li>
<li>Santa</li>
<li>Electric Scooters</li>
<li>Gaming Systems</li>
<li>Travel</li>
<li>Electronic Toys</li>
<li>The Beach</li>
<li>Video Baby Monitor</li>
</ol>
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Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-59741189788291697872020-04-01T20:48:00.002-07:002020-04-01T20:48:37.855-07:00God Is FaithfulGOD is faithful. If my heart needs to be reminded of any truth right now, this is it. GOD is faithful. This is what God impressed upon my heart and my mind through my reading thus far this week. In Genesis 20, our patriarch Abraham commits a sin. He lies. He tells people in Gerar that his wife Sarah is his sister. If you're like me, you read that and have to re-read it because it just sounds so unbelievable. The great patriarch, the one who left his country at the age of 75 to go to a foreign land...he lied? This is the one who later will nearly sacrifice his only son, the son of promise, for God. WHY would Abraham lie? I kind of wanted to just go back in time and march up to him and say, "But, Abraham, in you I am going to be blessed. Don't do it. You have nothing to fear!"<br />
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Lying. We have all done it as some point in our lives. Why? Why does anyone lie? Because we're AFRAID. We are afraid someone will find out what we really are. We are afraid someone will hurt us. We are afraid we will get caught. We are afraid. When confronted by the king of Gerar, Abraham says: "Because I thought...they will kill me because of my wife." Whoa. Abraham was afraid. If he is afraid, then he is not exercising faith because fear and faith are opposites. It seems that somehow for some reason, Abraham's faith is weak at this point. Had he forgotten the promise? Had he forgotten the blessing? Had he forgotten the covenant? IDK.<br />
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What happens next, though, is even more amazing! Certainly, God could have rejected him for this lack of faith. We know he didn't. I found myself asking God why. Why didn't You reject Him? Why didn't You choose someone else? I think the answer is found in Genesis 15. God made a covenant with Abraham. God is faithful and will not break His covenant. Ever. He cannot because He is not a man that He should lie or change His mind.<br />
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One of the verses I have been committing to memory is Hebrews 11:8: <i>By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.</i> How is it that Abraham, whose faith faltered, is exalted for his faith and held up as an example for us to emulate? My conclusion is simply that GOD is faithful. We forget. We sin. We fail. We are faithless. But GOD! GOD is and always will be faithful. Abraham was able to be faithful for this one reason: GOD is faithful.<br />
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I have no idea what the future holds. I feel tempted to be anxious and afraid a lot. Especially now. Yet, I will set my hope fully upon God, this God, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God who has adopted me into His family and called me His child, His beloved. I screw up all the time, but He is ever and always faithful.<br />
<br />Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-43124460772100265022020-03-30T07:43:00.001-07:002020-03-30T07:43:07.518-07:00Staying ConnectedThe COVID-19 pandemic has turned so many households and routines upside down. In our case, David is now working at home in his new office in our closet. Closets, I have found, are extremely versatile. This closet has served as a bedroom for Josiah first and then Chaeli. It has also served as a sewing room for me where I cut and sewed Mary's Glinda costume. Now, it is a home office for The Professor. This week he begins teaching virtually, which is actually not a big adjustment for him, since he uses Zoom often in his work. This has been a huge challenge for many professors, but it's a win for the geeks. One huge benefit for our family of this outbreak is the limits on travel. I know some may be really disappointed by this, but for those of us with spouses who travel often for work, it's a win. In fact, I am even hoping that once people see how much can be accomplished virtually that his future work travel will be reduced!<br />
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For the kids, we are continuing with school as usual. On Tuesdays, they take classes at a Learning Center through our charter school. Those classes are now virtual and are 45 minutes each rather than 90 minutes. The kids no longer have soccer or swimming, but they have still been able to get exercise running, riding bikes, jumping in the trampoline, and even climbing up and down their triple bunk bed. Really, who needs a climbing gym? At first, the closure of pools was an adjustment for me. I just really like having a little bit of time when the house is actually quiet. Crazy, I know. So, now we have a mandatory quiet time in the afternoon. One hour of reading in your room. Even for Mama. It is the highlight of my day because it is the time when I am able to read and study and reflect on God's Word, which is the source of any strength I possess.<br />
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While these changes have been minimal, our church lives have been changed significantly. Our lives are centered around our church and church functions, so we spend a lot of time there. Bible studies, AWANA, Youth Group, Maintenance Team, and Sunday Worship. I didn't even realize until now, that with all these combined, some fraction of us are at church six days out of seven. Of course, since the stay at home order, none of this is happening at church. But, that does not mean that it is not happening. Our leaders have worked very hard to establish ways in which we can remain connected as a church during this stay at home order and for this I am extremely grateful. Below are some of the ways:<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Online worship services</b>--We continue to worship with our church online. Our pastor prepares and delivers sermons to an empty sanctuary so that we can worship as a family at home. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to preach to an empty sanctuary not being able to see the reactions on people's faces or whether anyone is even paying attention at all. I found that it's actually really helpful to pretend I am actually going to church and to shower and dress and do my hair as I would for a Sunday. Since I know there are more distractions at home, I found that I am actually more vigilant about preparing ahead of time. </li>
<li><b>Online Bible studies</b>--Another one of our pastors continues to lead us in a study through the book of Ephesians. I am thankful for his commitment to the word and helping us to study it accurately. It must be so awkward to speak to an empty room and to prepare a power point that you show to no one, but we really are watching!</li>
<li><b>Virtual Small Groups</b>--I have been able to meet with my Bible study small group virtually and, actually, we have drawn into closer fellowship having deeper and more meaningful conversations. Sometimes, I feel so awkward when there is silence, so I just start talking, but silence isn't as awkward when you're online, haha. </li>
<li><b>Devotions</b>--Our church leaders have been recording and sharing videos about their reflections through the Word in light of the current events. These reflections have been so encouraging because they are so real and open and honest. They share their struggles and thoughts and what verses God has been using to encourage them. </li>
<li><b>Children's Ministry</b>--I think all of us involved in Children's Ministry are concerned for the children in our church. We don't want them to become spiritually impoverished during their time away from church. Each ministry has sought ways to connect with the kids. Chaeli's teachers have been recording videos of her lessons for us to watch at home. It has been great to see the lessons and the enthusiasm the teachers bring to their lessons. For the elementary kids, we have been recording videos every couple of days to share our thoughts from our studies through Ephesians and fun activities to do at home. The youth group has gone above and beyond, continuing to hold virtual youth group Fridays and Sundays as well as extra devotional time during the week. </li>
<li><b>Watch Parties and More</b>--Beyond that there are watch parties and so much more that are available for us to participate in, though I haven't been able to take advantage of those yet.</li>
</ol>
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I am so blessed, but still there is an inner longing to actually see my brothers and sisters and especially my Kinders in person. Virtual hugs and kisses to all!</div>
Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-17027773670540839112020-03-27T18:19:00.001-07:002020-03-27T18:19:34.657-07:00Let the Love of Christ Shine!As COVID-19's imminent descent upon Orange County transformed from hoax into inevitability, I observed charitable offers from members of our community. One woman offered to pick up groceries for anyone at risk in our community. Other did the same. Honestly, I was ashamed. Ashamed that the thought of even extending such an offer had not occurred to me. My thoughts had been focused on my family, in particular shielding my family from the virus in order to protect others. I have six kids, ranging in age from three to thirteen. The ones under ten (four of them) do not understand the concept of personal space, so maintaining a distance of six feet is a near impossibility. While I have tried to teach them how to cough into their elbows and how to wash their hands with soap and water, they still need to be reminded and retaught. Beyond that, they simply do things that are really gross just because they are curious. Sometimes I like to imagine their questions for a laugh. <i>Hmmm...how far CAN I stick this finger up my nose? Oh, ok, that far. Well, now, what's THIS and what does it taste like? Hmmm...not good, I wonder how FAR I can flick it.</i><div>
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Sadly, since then, this love and concern for others has dwindled. On Wednesday, our community management made the decision to close the neighborhood pools. (No, that is not a typo. Pool is plural. We have four!) Some of the lap swimmers questioned whether it would be a possibility to keep one pool open with appropriate safety precautions, such as providing hand sanitizers for opening the gate, closing off the showers and bathrooms, and requiring sign ups for usage limiting the swimmers in the pool to three at a time. All that love turned into hatred meted out over email. Responses in disagreement to the request were unkind, harsh, and judgmental. [Y'all know I am a lap swimmer. I swim three times a week, but this was NOT my proposal. For the record!] But, what happened? Why did the love so quickly turn to hatred?</div>
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Along with some other members of our church, I have been memorizing 1 John, one chapter a month. 1 John 4:19 says: <i>We love, because He first loved us </i>and 1 John 3:16 says: <i>We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us. </i>Jesus left heaven, a place of pure holiness and perfection, to come to earth, to live among sin, for one reason: LOVE. He, the Creator of the world, became part of Creation, experiencing things such as sorrow and pain and betrayal and weariness. The most mind-blowing part of it all for me, though, is that He paid the ultimate price of death and separation from the Father not because I am so full of love for Him. Not because I am so worthy of His love. Not because I have done anything for him. Not because He had anything to gain by doing it. He died for me because of His love. </div>
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So, now the question I am asking myself is what is my purpose here and now? It seems that 1 John 4:19 says my purpose is to love. To love in the way that Christ loved: sacrificially, expecting nothing in return, even to those who are unlovable. I haven't thought that there was much of a way for me to shine for Christ in the midst of this pandemic aside from continuing to care for my family. But, the recent exchange of emails amongst the members of my community has shown me that maybe God placed me in this community in order to express His love at this time. I am endeavoring to reach out to some of the individuals, who seemed to express vehemence, to see if they need any groceries or prescriptions or other errands. I pray that Christ's love, which is the same yesterday and today and forever, may shine through all of His children now more than ever!</div>
Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-41514200612167061942020-03-25T21:35:00.000-07:002020-03-25T21:35:15.465-07:00Worship from the HeartDuring this time of social distancing, our beloved pastors have been sharing videos with personal reflections to encourage us spiritually during this chaotic time. This morning one of our pastors encouraged us to use this time wisely out of love for Christ. Whatever we do with any extra time on our hands, let us use the time to worship Christ. As I spent some time thinking through this exhortation and how to apply it in my life right now, I decided to use this blog as a place to reflect on what God is teaching me in my devotional time with Him through the Word. I am by no means a Biblical scholar, so I am sure there will be things I share that need correction, but I welcome that because I love the Lord and my desire is to know Him and to make Him known. I believe that a key ingredient to fulfill that desire is understanding and applying the truth of His Word in my life.<br />
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This morning, I was reading chapters 11 and 12 of Genesis. These are two chapters of the Bible that I have read often in my Christian life, but still something stood out that I had not noticed before. Chapter 11 recounts the story of the Tower of Babel, where the people try to build a tower to reach to the heavens. God puts an end to it by confusing their language resulting in the scattering of the people around the world. What's so bad about building a tower? I encourage my three year old to build towers a lot. She loves it. She builds it as tall as she can and then she knocks it down. But, is this passage saying we should not be towers. I believe the problem is found in verse 4, "...let us make for ourselves a name." So, then I thought maybe the problem is not with building towers but making a name for yourself.<br />
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In chapter 12, God calls Abram to serve Him and promises him, "...[I] will make your name great." This made me stop in my tracks. What? A great name? Isn't this why God dispersed the people in the last chapter? Abram obeys God and leaves, following Him towards the land of Canaan. Twice, he stops and builds an altar to God. Having a great name is not the problem. The problem is the motivation. Abram did not seek the name itself. He sought the Lord. He followed Him wherever He led and worshiped Him along the way. The people who sought to build a great tower, on the other hand, worshiped themselves not God.<br />
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The big takeaway from these two chapters for me is that worship is a matter of the heart not the externals. The external (a great name) is in itself neither right nor wrong. The motivation can either be from a heart of self-worship as in the Babel-builders or from a heart of God-worship as in Abram. What does this mean practically? Well, if I write, may it be for the glory of God. If I homeschool, may it be for the glory of God. If I teach, may it be for the glory of God. Satan is so crafty and sneaks in wherever he can with the temptation to make a name for ourselves. Let us fight against that with the power of the Holy Spirit that we may know God and make Him known. May He receive all the glory and the honor and the power!<br />
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Till next time!Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-72322843701055017462020-03-24T07:20:00.000-07:002020-03-24T07:20:12.279-07:00Different Yet the SameSo much in our lives has changed as a result of the spread of coronavirus to the US. Schools are closed. Restaurants, if open, only offer take out. All sports and events are canceled until further notice. The shelves and freezers at the grocery stores are bare. At the beginning, it really felt like I was watching a movie being played out in real time. Now, it seems as though I have finally adjusted to accepting social distance as the new normal. At the forefront of my mind is this thought: While so much has changed, so much remains the same.<br />
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Recently, I began a new Bible reading plan. I chose this plan because it had readings along with a journal for adults, teens, and kids. Coincidentally, last Friday, the day's reading was Job 1-2. Job experienced so much suffering, pain, and loss, things I can't ever imagine going through. Others in time and history have experienced pain, but what is unique about the book of Job is the glimpse into the spiritual realities at work. We see that God allows Satan to bring the pain and suffering, but that He is in control. It is clear that God is in control because He places a limit on Satan, that Satan may not take Job's life. This remains the same: God is in control.<br />
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<b>Dear Coronavirus, I will not be shaken. No, no! I will not be moved. Why? Because my loving and faithful and omnipotent and unchanging God is in control.</b><br />
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Being a family of eight living in a three-bedroom home does not allow for much privacy or social distance indoors. We all have been rubbing against each other, creating quite a bit of friction. Arguments. Name calling. Doors slamming. Yet, what does this all reveal? Our hearts are sinful. They are desperately wicked. What do we see when we look deep within our own hearts? This past week, watching the interactions of my children is like a window into my own heart, revealing selfishness, pride, anger, greed, hate, impatience, and more. This is not new. This has always been the case, ever since Adam and Eve committed the first sin in the Garden of Eden.<br />
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<b>Dear Coronavirus, When I see the depth of my sin, I will call out to God and He will forgive me because of Jesus' blood shed on the cross for me. You cannot accuse me. I belong to Jesus.</b><br />
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Every time I read the latest news about coronavirus, I read different opinions from well-renowned scientists. Not one of them knows for certain what will happen. Not one of them knows for certain who will require hospitalization. None of them knows for certain how long the virus will spread or if and when it will mutate. If man had the power to stop this virus, certainly it would have happened by now, before so many lives had been lost. But, the truth is that man is and has always been powerless. Man cannot stop the coronavirus, nor can man deal with the problem of sin. God is the only one who can heal our bodies and our hearts. As we see the limits of mankind, may we see the awesomeness of God.<br />
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<b>Dear Coronavirus, Whatever you are, God is more. My purpose in this life is to bring Him glory and honor and praise as long as I have breath. This I will do because God is!</b><br />
<br />Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-40776169171113858052015-04-05T21:21:00.002-07:002015-04-05T21:21:58.099-07:00Desire for Acceptance<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the desire to belong is inherent to human nature. Likewise, feeling like we don't belong can be devastating. This week I experienced such a devastating blow. In a matter of minutes, a few critical comments piled up into an insurmountable pile of emotional baggage, leaving me to feel unwelcome where I once felt welcome, unaccepted where I once felt accepted, and unloved where I once felt loved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most people possess a stronger sense of determination to fight, but, in the presence of this emotional enemy, I completely wilted. I was so taken aback when heretofore friends turned to seeming foes that I quickly spiraled downward into a very deep slough. The situation went over and over in my mind again and again, with heightened pain at each recurrence. It was as if I could not think of anything else. I had trouble accomplishing even the basic tasks necessary to maintain my household, like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. I frequently snuck away to my bathroom to cry hoping my kids wouldn't notice my red swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks. I lost interest in things that I typically enjoy like running or taking my kids to the park and threw the diet I ordinarily follow so conscientiously out the window. Whenever David was available, I took advantage of the opportunity to "nap" or rather to lay in bed crying bitterly until I finally fell asleep. Feeling more and more like the situation was completely hopeless, I began to protect myself from any more pain by withdrawing more and more from others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, it was very difficult for me to go to church today. I was such a mess of pain and confusion, but I've pretty much mastered the art of disguise over the years. I was pretty much able to keep the sermon at arm's length until the point of application. Pastor Peter asked us to reflect on what the resurrection means for us. He shared how he had moved around so much and never belonged anywhere until he met Christ. Then, he knew where he belonged: he had become a citizen of heaven. Suddenly, I realized that the agony and torment I had been experiencing were because I was looking for acceptance in the wrong place. When I put my faith in Christ, he transferred me from the kingdom of this earth to the kingdom of heaven. I do belong in Christ's kingdom, and He will never leave me or forsake me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not placing my hope in the approval of others. Instead, I am placing all my hope in the inheritance described in 1 Peter 1: 3-5:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text 1Pet-1-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30361H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30361H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>According to his great mercy, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30361I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30361I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>he has caused us to be born again to a living hope <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30361J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30361J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-1-4" id="en-ESV-30362" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30362K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30362K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30362L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30362L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>unfading,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30362M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30362M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>kept in heaven for you,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-1-5" id="en-ESV-30363" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">who by God's power are being guarded <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30363N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30363N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>through faith for a salvation <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30363O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30363O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>ready to be revealed in the last time.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, lastly, I just want to close with the words of a praise song that came to mind as I was reflecting on this desire for acceptance today:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will change your name </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You shall no longer be called</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wounded, outcast </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lonely or afraid</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will change your name</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your new name shall be </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confidence, joyfulness </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overcoming one </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faithfulness, friend of God </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One who seeks my face.</span></span></div>
Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-10210226646270882492015-04-04T19:08:00.000-07:002015-04-04T19:08:51.631-07:00Happy Easter!Easter is THE holiday for Christians. Jesus left his home in heaven and came to live on this earth for one singular purpose: the cross. Jesus, though he did no wrong, willingly went to the cross where he experienced the full wrath of God in body and in soul. Jesus suffered agony and torment on the cross, God's punishment for sinners, for those who think, do, and say what is wrong and those who fail to think, fail to do, and fail to say what is right. Jesus' death on the cross was to pay the penalty due us for our sins against a pure and holy and just God. After Jesus died, they took his body and anointed it with oil and spices and placed it in a tomb with a stone covering the opening. Three days later, the stone was rolled away and Jesus' body was no longer there. An angel declared, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." After that, Jesus appeared to many of his followers.<br />
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Faith in Jesus' death and resurrection in our place is the basis for our salvation from our sins. It is what brings us back into fellowship with God. It is the source of the hope that Christians have of one day being reunited with Christ in Heaven. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:16-19,<br />
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<i>And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those who have also fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.</i><br />
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For this reason, we have tried over the years to establish meaningful Easter traditions to celebrate the salvation and hope that Jesus accomplished for those who trust in Him by His death and resurrection. I pray that one day each of my children will come to trust in Jesus savingly and live their lives to bring Him glory!<br />
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<b>Scriptural Stations of the Cross</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KXQ9GZBAJfk/VSBsHEmxDSI/AAAAAAAACzM/orRc4I-bN4E/w1308-h872-no/IMG_4641.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two problems with this picture: (1) Josiah refused to be in it and (2) these boys move too much and too fast!</td></tr>
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To go over the Scriptural Stations of the Cross, I colored these little wooden crosses with Sharpies and glued the name of one of the stations on the front. On the back, I wrote the Scriptural reference. We went through all fourteen stations in one sitting. Yes, that was kind of difficult for the little ones who can't/won't sit still for very long. Note to self: next year, spread this out over two weeks. <br />
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The stations are as follows:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane </li>
<li>Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested </li>
<li>Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin </li>
<li>Jesus is denied by Peter </li>
<li>Jesus is judged by Pontius Pilate </li>
<li>Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns </li>
<li>Jesus bears the cross </li>
<li>Jesus is helped to bear the cross </li>
<li>Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem </li>
<li>Jesus is crucified </li>
<li>Jesus promises his kingdom to the thief </li>
<li>Jesus speaks to his mother and John </li>
<li>Jesus dies on the cross </li>
<li>Jesus is placed in the tomb</li>
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<b>Resurrection Eggs</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8O1NzEWf31U/VSBsbwVUl7I/AAAAAAAACzU/VUPk3jBJ7AA/w1163-h872-no/IMG_4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8O1NzEWf31U/VSBsbwVUl7I/AAAAAAAACzU/VUPk3jBJ7AA/w1163-h872-no/IMG_4647.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My not very impressive resurrection eggs.</td></tr>
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Resurrection eggs are pretty easy to pull off. I just got 12 plastic Easter eggs from the store and filled them with the symbols collected from around the house. I have the kids take turns opening an egg and discuss the account of Jesus' death and resurrection using the following symbols and Scriptures:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="text" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bread (Matthew 26:26)</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="text" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Silver Coins (Matthew 26:14-15)</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Purple Cloth (Mark 15:17)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thorns (Matthew 27:29)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Piece of Rope (Mark 15:15)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cross (John 19:17-18a)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nails (John 20:25b)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sign (Luke 23:38)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sponge (Matthew 27:48)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spear (John 19:34)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rock (Matthew 27:59-60)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nothing (Matthew 28:6)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: center;"> </span></li>
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<b>Resurrection Rolls</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five kids eagerly anticipating resurrection rolls!</td></tr>
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I think this is pretty much my kids' favorite Easter activity. It's really easy and impressive, especially for preschoolers. Mind you, this is the only time of year that you will find crescent rolls and marshmallows in my house. Separate and unroll the crescent rolls onto a baking sheet. This is the tomb. Take a marshmallow, which represents Jesus' body, and roll it in butter and then a cinnamon-sugar mixture. You just anointed Jesus' body with oil and spices. Then place the anointed Jesus (a.k.a. cinnamon-sugary marshmallow) in the tomb (a.k.a. crescent roll) and wrap it up. Be sure to seal the edges really well or the lesson will backfire. Bake the rolls according to the directions on the package. While baking, the marshmallow will melt inside the roll. After the rolls have cooled a little, you can break one open and the kids will be shocked to find Jesus' body is no longer there! This is a very illustrative lesson to explain that Jesus' body was no longer in the tomb because he went to Heaven.</div>
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<b>Devotional with Magnets</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah playing with the magnets!</td></tr>
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The last activity that I did with kids in anticipation of Easter Sunday is a six-day devotional activity published by a local church. A friend gave this to me before Easter two years ago. Each day, we read a devotional and place a magnet on the board which forms the cross you see in the picture above. The topics of the devotions are:<div>
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<li>Praise (Matthew 21:6-10)</li>
<li>Service (John 13:1-20)</li>
<li>Prayer (Mark 14:32-35)</li>
<li>Love (John 3:16)</li>
<li>Sacrifice (Luke 23:33-46)</li>
<li>Victory (Matthew 28:1-10)</li>
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I really like this devotional material because I feel like the other activities focus on historical facts, but this devotional material is intended to affect the heart, as I think is evident from the topics. For more information, please contact <a href="http://www.compasschurch.org/">Compass Bible Church</a>.</div>
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Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154391274828822403.post-51445879309830182952015-03-29T19:40:00.002-07:002015-03-29T19:40:56.415-07:00How I Spend my Free TimeAs a homeschooling mama to five kids, I am frequently asked about what I do in my spare time. Ummm...SLEEP? Just kidding, ummm...well, I'm actually not kidding at all. You know those ads that offer miracle cures for getting a better night's sleep. Secretly, they're put on the market by people who are very concerned with controlling population growth. Seriously, if you want a better night's sleep, just have another kid. All my sleeping problems disappeared when I had my first baby in 2006. Now I can sleep any time, any place, in any position, with any degree of brightness. I hope I just saved you two dollars.<br />
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Now, back to the topic of how I spend my free time, when I am not sleeping, that is. This year, I have been busy making theatrical props and costumes! We allow our girls to take one of the many enrichment classes offered through Springs Charter School. This year, both girls elected to take Musical Theater. There are five theater classes for students in grades K-8, all taught by the one and only superly-awesome-amazingly-creative Mrs. Mary Hering. Each of the classes are working on a scene from a selected musical, but all the musicals will be put together into one performance. The classes are working on scenes from The Lion King, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderelly, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The neat part is that all of the kids get to have supporting roles in the other classes' scenes.<br />
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It does take a village to put together one of these performances, from props, lights and backdrops to costumes, music, and make-up. My little part has been to help make some props/costumes from the quiet(?) and comfort(???) of my own home! While David would argue that this show is taking up too much of my time, it has been so much fun stirring up and releasing a few creative juices! That would certainly be reward in itself, but we are also receiving free admission as recompense for the sweat of my brow!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy bars for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Candy Bars. I think the 3 Mousketeers is my favorite!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drums for the Lion King!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_37zjHkUg7c/VPD7xDOpUQI/AAAAAAAACwY/3ouzdq7nlxw/w773-h580-no/IMG_4532.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie in her bird mask.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="340" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_h3FU6MrSU/VRhgvVTIh2I/AAAAAAAACyQ/22KcB7vqtCA/w426-h363/IMG_4638.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four sets of bird wings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IQ4Bfz6Feoc/VPD8AM-WWrI/AAAAAAAACws/FHlLhICo3bM/w440-h580-no/IMG_4546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="303" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last, but certainly not least, a Glinda the Good Witch costume for Mary.</td></tr>
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Maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006075017278372837noreply@blogger.com1