tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154099847566404472024-02-06T21:25:00.364-05:00Sweet Southern PearlChronicles of a Carolina GirlBeth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.comBlogger418125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-57695432726223218432021-01-26T15:43:00.004-05:002021-01-26T15:43:22.906-05:00Our Love Story<p> </p><br /><li class="main-nav-item main-registry" style="background-color: rgba(249, 249, 249, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: Alegreya; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; padding: 8px 12px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"></li><div class="main-nav-container-container" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Alegreya; font-size: 16px; height: 84px; min-height: 0px !important;"><div class="has_content fixed" id="main-nav-container" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(249, 249, 249, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; height: 84px; left: 0px; padding: 0px; position: fixed !important; right: 0px; text-align: center; top: 0px; width: 1246px; z-index: 1;"><div class="main-nav-container-inner" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 70%; position: relative;"><nav class="main-nav-hidden" data-behavior="Registry.attachNavAnalytics" id="main-nav" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="main-nav-item main-registry" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style: none; padding: 8px 12px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><ul class="registry-nav main-nav-item" data-behavior="Registry.fetchRetailers" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-radius: 2px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; max-width: 320px; opacity: 0; padding: 8px 24px 8px 12px; position: absolute; text-align: left; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 10001;"><li data-behavior="Registry.sendRetailerTracking" data-cash-registry="false" data-registry-nav="true" data-retailer-name="Belk" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a class="gs-registry-link" data-no-turbolink="true" href="https://track-registry.theknot.com/track/manual?r=732171915&rt=14700&a=995&lt=RetailerGVR&st=WeddingWebsite&sp=LinkedRegistries&ss=RegistryPage&eventType=1" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Sacramento; font-size: 38px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: lowercase;" target="_blank"></a></li><li data-behavior="Registry.sendRetailerTracking" data-cash-registry="true" data-registry-nav="true" data-retailer-name="The Knot Cash Funds" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a class="gs-registry-link" data-no-turbolink="true" href="https://www.theknot.com/us/beth-burroughs-and-drew-culler-aug-2019/registry#registry-section" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Sacramento; font-size: 38px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: lowercase;"></a></li></ul></li></ul></nav></div></div></div><header id="header" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Alegreya; font-size: 16px; margin: auto; position: relative; width: 872.188px;"><div class="wide-cover-image is-desktop" data-src="//media.xogrp.com/images/0d5ac8be-c3bb-41a8-bc57-d7aecc412c99~rt_0-cr_0.284.1512.1040-rs_1024.h?compress=true" id="cover-image" style="background-image: url("//media.xogrp.com/images/0d5ac8be-c3bb-41a8-bc57-d7aecc412c99~rt_0-cr_0.284.1512.1040-rs_1800.h?compress=true"); background-position: center center; background-size: cover; border: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; inset: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 436.094px; position: relative; width: 872.188px;"></div></header><div id="content" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Alegreya; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 10px;"><div class="content-background" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div><div class="page" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; position: relative; width: 872.188px;"><div class="page-background" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div><div class="page-sections" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="anchor" id="our-story" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 1px; margin-top: -120px; padding-top: 120px;"></div><div class="section" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;"><div class="section-background" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div><div class="section-title-border-top" style="background-position: center center; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Sacramento; font-size: 3rem; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 840px; width: 840px;"></div><div class="section-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Sacramento; font-size: 3rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 840px; text-align: center;">Our Story</div><div class="section-title-border-bottom" style="background-position: center center; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Sacramento; font-size: 3rem; margin: 10px auto 15px; max-width: 840px; width: 840px;"></div><div class="section-items" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: auto; max-width: 840px;"><div class="item" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; position: relative; width: 840px;"><div class="item-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">This is how it goes...</div><div class="item-description" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 840px; text-align: center;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; margin: 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">For several years, they would glance at each other across the sanctuary at Oak View Baptist on Sunday mornings. They knew each other, but they didn't really know each other. Beth went to High Point University, and Drew attended North Carolina State University.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Years passed and sometimes they would say hey, but were usually too shy to say much else (yes, Beth Burroughs was shy around boys she thought were really cute). Even when they both accompanied the youth group on church camp trips, they didn't say much to each other. After college Drew moved back to High Point to start work and Beth moved to Boone to get her Master's at Appalachian State. The timing wasn't right yet.......<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When Beth was in her first year teaching at Southwest High School (2015), she sent Drew a Facebook message (ah, the era of social media) asking about apartments because she was looking to move out of her parents' house. She was also looking for the conversation to lead to more. She knew he was single because his cousin Holly had mentioned to a mutual friend (Ashley) that she'd like to set them up, and Ashley had mentioned it to Beth over dinner in NYC in August. After messaging for a couple days Drew asked for Beth's number, so that was good... it just took about ten months to lead to an actual date. :)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />They texted back and forth during that "school year" about random things, but for some reason didn't hang out until April, when Drew met Beth and her best friend Margaret at Liberty Steakhouse for dinner. April 17th, 2016. He was a lot more charming in person than over text. He had a cute sense of humor and paid for both girls' food. That night, Beth Tweeted three face-with-heart-eyes emojis before going to bed, but still didn't think this encounter would lead to anything more (after all, she was still holding out for Tim Tebow lolol).<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Speaking of Tim Tebow, Beth texted Drew in May and joked that he should be her date to prom (chaperoning) since she had asked Tebow and he had said no. Drew laughed it off and never said yes or no (foreshadowing of Beth's response 2.5 years later during the proposal). Well, at least she tried. He was obviously either not interested or really couldn't take a hint. She went to prom alone but still had a great time. She didn't hear from Drew much again until June, and it was when she least expected it...<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />At the very end of June, Beth was at the airport in Atlanta, on her way back from her first Alpha Chi Omega convention in Orlando. Her flight was delayed, and she just wanted to make it home. She had no idea that this layover time would change the rest of her life!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Out of the blue, Drew texted her, making small talk and then asked if she wanted to come to his family's lake house for the 4th of July. She thought this was weird since they hadn't really hung out much (lol) but looking back the gesture was really sweet. She was just very confused because they'd been talking about hanging out and never really had, and now this. Drew told Beth to have a safe flight, and when the plane finally took off, she put her phone in airplane mode and pondered the conversation they'd just had. She expected not to hear from Drew for another month or so, just like it always had been. She had no idea that the reality would be that they would be talking every single day for the rest of their lives from that day forward. :)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Beth did not go to the lake house, as she was in Texas for the 4th of July, but Drew did make a point to hang out with Beth before she left for the Lone Star State the next week. She was having her friend Margaret over and Drew wanted to come over as well. He showed up looking adorable in a collared shirt that she knew he had changed into just to come over. He arrived before Margaret got there, and Beth's roommate wasn't in. Beth and Drew were shy around each other in person still (I guess they were enthralled by how cute each other looked). After a few minutes Beth texted Margaret "Hurry up Drew is already here and it's awkward!!!"<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The night ended up being just fine. With Margaret there, Beth and Drew were both more comfortable to be themselves, and that was a crucial part of their getting to know each other as friends first. That has always been something they feel is important - getting to truly know someone on a friend level before rushing into something romantic.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Drew texted Beth the whole time she was in Texas with Alex visiting their friend Ashland. Beth was starting to think that A) this could actually lead to something and B) that she was really enjoying getting to know Drew better, whatever that meant! When Beth got back to NC, she and Drew hung out in group settings with friends a few more times before he asked her on an actual date...<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />He asked her on a warm Monday night, in the company of her friends Margaret and Alex, if she had plans Thursday night. She did not. He asked if she would like to go see the new Ghostbusters movie.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Thursday rolled around and Beth was actually really excited. She had come to enjoy Drew's company way more than she had imagined. She realized there was more to him than a quiet and shy dude. He picked her up at her house and the car ride was SUPER awkward. There was definitely a different feel to this hangout than times sitting at her house talking for hours and watching TV (during those times they'd be talking about everything, and before they knew it three hours had passed!). They were both nicely dressed and almost the only people in the movie theatre. Ghostbusters was hilarious, and afterward as they were walking to the car, Beth felt a tinge of a sense of real contentment and wondered "Could this be the future??"<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Drew dropped Beth off at her house right after the movie. Didn't ask if she wanted to go eat or do anything else. He said he was hungry and was going to get food, and just dropped her off (LOL). She thought this was really odd, but knew that he was probably flustered and didn't know what else to do. She still jokes about it with him to this day, and he gets defensive. But secretly, she thought it was really cute :)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Over the next few weeks, as Beth and Drew continued to spend time together, their friendship grew stronger. Beth wanted to make sure that Drew was the Lord's will for her, and that she went about this the right way, so she took some time to travel to Boone, NC and go to one of her favorite spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway and pray about the situation. It was a sweet moment, and she asked the Lord to reveal to her if she should move forward in this relationship. She had such peace about Drew after praying on the Parkway that day.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Beth and Drew were eventually sure they were ready to take the next step. But like everything else in their 'relationship' so far, Drew had a different idea of how to approach the conversation.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />They were in Boone for Beth's friend Taylor's birthday on August 12, 2016. Beth was driving her car - The Black Pearl - down HWY 321 with Drew in the passenger seat. They had just left Wal-Mart, with a pack of Oreos and other goodies. Derek Minor's "Right By My Side" was playing as Drew gathered up the confidence to ask, "So what are we? Are we like dating or what?"<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />HOW ROMANTIC RIGHT?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Beth didn't care that this was how Drew was asking her to be his girlfriend because she knew his style by now and she really was just so glad that a) this was happening in BOONE, her favorite place in the Universe, and b) she knew she wanted to say yes and make it official.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Little did they know, that night was the kickstart to the rest of their lives. In the months and years that have passed, they have experienced challenges and struggles, celebrations and the best times of their lives, lived and loved with family and friends, learned lessons, become better people because of each other, made more memories than they can count, and grown to love each other more every day. And this is only the beginning.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />On November 21, 2018 Beth held a birthday party for her dog Emery. Anyone who knows Beth knows how much Emery means to her. She is her child, so of course she has birthday parties. Well, this birthday party was quite the event. When it was time for Emery to open her gifts after dinner and cake, Drew began to get nervous. He had something up his sleeve! (Or in his pocket...)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Emery got a lot of treats and toys and was on the last gift. Beth helped her open it and it was a shirt. For a human. They were confused. It said “Off the Market.” Beth began to realize what was going on. All of a sudden Drew was down on one knee with a gorgeous ring and Beth was shocked that this was finally happening (she honestly thought it would happen the next day — Thanksgiving. But she had been more than ready for this for a pretty long time LOL... they had had quite a few conversations about getting engaged and Drew was a little more “patient” than Beth was!!!!! :))))))) But you know what they say - slow and steady wins the race! And Drew has always been very deliberate in decision making.)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />ANYWAY, even though Beth knew the engagement was coming, she was very surprised at the delivery of it. It was an absolutely perfect idea — at a birthday party that she had planned for her baby with some of the most important people to her surrounding. Just like when Drew asked her to be his girlfriend, it wasn’t romantic LOL... but it was perfect. You spend your life imagining this fairytale proposal but sometimes the sweetest and most perfect things in life are way different than what you imagined. And Beth knew this from various experiences in life.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Well, Drew was on one knee with a perfect rose gold diamond ring and Beth was nervous and excited and acted like the most awkward idiot and forgot to even say yes. But it was the easiest yes ever! Finally, the cute guy that she used to look at across the sanctuary on Sunday mornings had asked her to share the rest of their lives together. The Lord had orchestrated perfectly His plan and the next step was finally taking place.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Beth and Drew’s engagement season has been hectic and wonderful and celebratory and they cannot wait to spend their lives together and their special day with loved ones!</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-48398004064016838472019-02-20T11:42:00.002-05:002019-02-20T11:42:30.924-05:00First #WeddingWednesday Post!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I've been posting our story on our "The Knot" site. I've been posting in increments since I wanted to include the full story, but haven't had the time to sit down and type the whole thing! Also, I think people would rather read a little at a time... and it keeps everyone on the edge of their seat!! lol</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the first 'installment' I posted:</span></div>
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For several years, they would glance at each other across the sanctuary at Oak View Baptist on Sunday mornings. They knew each other, but they didn't really <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit;">know </em>each other. Beth went to High Point University, and Drew attended North Carolina State University. </div>
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Years passed and sometimes they would say hey, but were usually too shy to say much else (yes, Beth Burroughs was shy around boys she thought were really cute). Even when they both accompanied the youth group on church camp trips, they didn't say much to each other. After college Drew moved back to High Point to start work and Beth moved to Boone to get her Master's at Appalachian State. The timing wasn't right yet.......</div>
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When Beth was in her first year teaching at Southwest High School (2015), she sent Drew a Facebook message (ah, the era of social media) asking about apartments because she was looking to move out of her parents' house. She was also looking for the conversation to lead to more. She knew he was single because his cousin Holly had mentioned to a mutual friend (Ashley) that she'd like to set them up, and Ashley had mentioned it to Beth over dinner in NYC in August. After messaging for a couple days Drew asked for Beth's number, so that was good... it just took about ten months to lead to an actual date. :) </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more!</span></div>
Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-48113642004081615232019-02-05T12:35:00.001-05:002019-02-05T12:40:08.744-05:00Our Busy Schedules Don't Mean We Are Successful<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yesterday I read a devotional about schedules. I love the Bible app (YouVersion), and I cannot start my day without having my coffee and reading my morning devotion on the app (in the afternoons I read a different passage from the Bible). Today the app told me that I have a 100 day streak! That means I have read a devotion in the app every day for the past 100 days. *Let me go off on a tangent and say that if you're treating the Bible app like Snapchat and just open it and click through a post to "save your streak" and don't really comprehend what it says, this method of accountability isn't really effective and you're just going through the motions to 'save the streak.'*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway, yesterday's devotional (from "Passion and Purpose" by Charles Stanley) was about not filling your schedule and how today's world is fast-paced and we feel the pressure to "keep up."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How if we aren't busy, we feel like we aren't doing anything or being successful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It reminded me that Jesus took time to rest. He didn't rush from place to place, trying to please people (I'M A PEOPLE PLEASER AND I'M TRYING TO BREAK FREE FROM THIS MENTALITY). He was never flustered about His schedule.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus did things on His own time, took time for Himself (because you can't pour from an empty cup), and His timing was good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Charles Stanley asked the question "Do you talk with God about your schedule? Or do you hurl yourself into an almost frantic routine each day." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(I hurrrl myself into a frantic routine each day!!!!! It's so unnecessary!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being super busy doesn't mean success. It means I may be burning myself out when I could use that energy to focus on a couple important things that will get more attention rather than EVERY SINGLE THING only getting some of my attention.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have to think: What, on my to-do list is <i>vital</i>? What can I cut out? How can I work smarter and not harder to minimize stress? How can I "get more out of every hour I'm gifted" without flustering myself into a frenzy? How can I have a balanced schedule, which is God's will for me? How can I tailor my schedule to fit my calling?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These are things I will be mindful of praying about, and hopefully move from the "frantic hurling myself into a schedule so I feel busy and successful" to "more balanced, relaxed, and focused on what's necessary and fulfilling to my purpose."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's super hard right now to NOT be busy (planning a *wedding* :), full time job, Jr. League social media chair, middle school small group leader, planning prom, sorority advisor, friend, fiancee, sister, daughter, granddaughter, RAISING A DOG... the list goes on!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">BUT, I have to remind myself to be like Jesus and sometimes get away, regroup, decide what's priority and what's not, and not feel like every single thing matters at once. No one will get the "best Beth" if I do that!</span></div>
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-64019206065712225112018-11-14T14:42:00.000-05:002018-11-14T14:43:16.322-05:00Obligatory Thankfulness PostI've spent some time today looking back over my posts from Thanksgiving seasons past.<br />
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Specifically, three years ago at this time when I was battling some ungratefulness and lack of sense of purpose. It was a dark time. I'm so glad that season didn't last very long!<br />
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Every Thursday I make my students list ten things they are grateful for that week. I have read that it helps boost mood when we intentionally and actively think about what we are grateful for.<br />
In addition to this, from a spiritual standpoint, gratefulness is so key. We are to offer prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord every day for what He has blessed us with.<br />
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I started a couple Thanksgiving daily devotionals on the Bible app this week (YouVersion) and I'm getting my heart in the right place. I'll be honest -- being thankful hasn't been a cake walk right now. With my dad and Granny both being sick off and on the past couple months and in and out of the hospital, being so busy with everything, and always feeling spread thin, it has left me little time to actually count my blessings.<br />
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However, this week I am MAKING more time to rest, think, be productive in areas that really matter, and to really savor every little moment and ponder on life's blessings. So here it is, another post where I list what I'm thankful for. Not to brag on anything but Jesus, and to remind myself that the heart full of gratefulness is the blessed one.<br />
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<b>1. My job</b><br />
It's not always easy, but it's a great job and I'm surrounded by great people.<br />
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<b>2. Having my brother live with me</b><br />
I didn't expect to live with Michael again after I left Boone, and this is proof that life is full of awesome surprises and the Lord always has a plan greater than ours. I'm so thankful for the extra time I've had with Michael and what a great roommate he's been and the memories we've made. If MY plans had worked out, this may not have had a chance to happen, but I'm so glad it did!<br />
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<b>3. The people in my circle</b><br />
I have some of the most supportive friends and family, I believe, in the entire world.<br />
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<b>4. A new decade</b><br />
Many of y'all know I just turned 30, and while that sounded gross to me, I firmly believe that this will be my best decade yet. There was so much in my early 20s that I feel like I really wasted my time on - just things that didn't matter that much. I'm grateful for a new decade and the chance to start fresh in a sense.<br />
(Still working on a post reflecting on my 20s! That'll be an interesting read)<br />
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<b>5. The Lord's perfect timing</b><br />
He knows what He's doing<br />
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<b>6. Time to relax and spend with family / friends</b><br />
I've made lots of this lately, and have not regretted it at all.<br />
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<b>7. My house!</b><br />
I love my cozy home and I'm so grateful for the ability to go home every night to it.<br />
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<b>8. EMERY</b><br />
She is so therapeutic and loving and perfect.<br />
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<b>9. My church</b><br />
Best church ever.<br />
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<b>10. Jesus's grace</b><br />
His mercies are new every day and Lord knows I need them! :)Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-49999265221491252842018-03-29T16:09:00.004-04:002018-03-29T16:14:01.815-04:00Kill the Comparisons<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Perfection is my enemy"...that's a line I heard in an old song on the radio the other day...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We live in a world of comparisons. That's no doubt. I'd say in the past year I've fallen more victim to these comparisons than I have in the past five. I remember always comparing myself to others when I first started college but after that I was pretty good about being satisfied with myself and content in what I had.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Lately I've been doing a lot of reading that encourages people (especially millennials) not to get caught up in social media, because doing so causes you to constantly ask yourself "Is my life as exciting as this person's? Am I as pretty as she is? Why does he have this and I don't? How did she get that job? How is her house always so clean??!?!?" ...etc. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This mindset is the opposite of what the Lord intended. He created each person on this earth in a different way to serve a different purpose and to be content in their uniqueness. Sadly, it's hard in today's world with so much at our fingertips to compare ourselves to, to compare our significant others to, our jobs, cars, houses, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The hope I have, though, is that this causes believers to trust even harder in Jesus, to be even more radical in our faith and encouraging others, to be even more determined to see ourselves as God sees us. To live more upright because we are so serious about finding our satisfaction and contentment in the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">No one is perfect, and believing that someone else has it all together is entirely false. Don't place your self worth in a lie that the enemy wants you to believe!</span>Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-80170167479122893592017-11-08T13:33:00.003-05:002017-11-08T13:33:30.882-05:00Things Unseen<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">2 Corinthians 4:17-18</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">(NIV)</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text 2Cor-4-17" id="en-NIV-28877" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28877A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28877A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text 2Cor-4-18" id="en-NIV-28878" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28878B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28878B" title="See cross-reference B">B</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> since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text 2Cor-4-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Lately I've been getting weighed down with the issues of the world. Yesterday I read 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 in my daily reading book. In these verses, Paul talks about being pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, and struck down but not destroyed... if you are a follower of Christ. The troubles of the world may weigh on us, but they will not overtake us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As we receive grace and sustenance for each day from God, we should become more thankful, which goes along with what I've been intentional about this week - writing a list of things I'm grateful for and thanking God for them. Focusing on these things will help us to see the world through His eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Verses 17 and 18 made me feel so comforted that I wrote them on the board by my desk at school as a reminder. Anything difficult that I face will pass, as all troubles are temporary. It also reminds me to see the world through Christ's eyes, through a spiritual lens. I also have written by my board "Open up my eyes to the things unseen" from the song "Hosanna." Thinking of this life and world as temporary and hurting, and focusing on loving others, trying to show the world a better way, and looking forward to eternity with Christ, all really help when you're focused on the "small picture" of a hard day or season in life. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">eBa</span></div>
Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-30646165718737689522017-11-06T10:37:00.002-05:002017-11-06T10:39:29.505-05:00Grateful Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to be very intentional about being grateful. Even if it wasn't the Thanksgiving season, I want to do this because gratefulness cuts down on stress, worry, and complaining. I feel like lately I could really use a good dose of being thankful for what I have. I plan to jot down a few things each day, because writing it out really makes me do it and think about it. Some things I am especially thankful for today are:</div>
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*My health. Over the summer I experienced some weird complications due to a steroid shot, and now I'm back to normal!</div>
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*My church / church family. I am so blessed by Oak View Baptist and the amazing people that go there. It has forever changed my life.</div>
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*My family. I'm so blessed to be able to spend so much time with them and have them as support. They are the best people I know. I can't begin to thank God enough.</div>
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*Emery! A good dog is the best therapy, but I don't even know what I'd do without her. It's a whole new level.</div>
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*Drew - he sends me daily encouragement through Scripture, loves me when I'm hard to love, and supports me in everything. It's true what the Bible says about the Lord being able to do more than we can ask or imagine. </div>
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*Boone - I've been so blessed to be in my happy place for the past three weekends and to week days (including my birthday), and being able to do this has made me so thankful.</div>
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*My job - although it can be stressful and frustrating, I know that right now I am exactly where I need to be. I look forward to coming to work every day. </div>
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*My house. It is small and cute and decorated for both fall and Christmas right now... Buying it was one of the scariest things I've ever done, but has also made me feel empowered and thankful for the opportunity to have my own space. And I'm so thankful to have my brother living with me now!</div>
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*Friends - the Lord has blessed me with the best. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Excited to see ones I haven't seen in forever very soon!!</div>
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*Coffee! So much coffee.</div>
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<i>Take a few minutes today to make your own list! I already feel better and less stressed after tying all this out!</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">eBa</span></div>
Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-43618579597707806912017-10-24T10:55:00.001-04:002017-10-24T11:01:33.082-04:00Riches I Need Not, Nor Man's Empty PraiseI haven't written anything on here since MARCH. ...not anything from my own spiritual journey. I've done promotions for two companies and that's all I've posted. I am realizing that when I write, I am a better person. I can't believe I haven't written on here in <i>seven </i>months. It makes me sad. I've felt a void!<br />
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Ironically, though, what I came here to write is the same topic as what I last posted about - what others think. I found a version of "Be Thou My Vision" that I <i>really </i>love about a month ago, so it's been on repeat. As I'm busy with everything going on in life, I have to constantly remind myself to keep my eyes set on Christ. The line that has stuck out to me the most over the past month is<br />
<i><span style="font-size: medium;">"Riches I need not, nor man's empty praise."</span></i><br />
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I'm teaching 9th and 11th grade this semester. In both classes we are reading books set in the Great Depression. We've had discussions (sometimes debates) about how money can't buy happiness. The concept is sometimes hard to understand. As I think about it, I've gotten so caught up in material things. I struggled a lot this summer, working in a boutique where I get 50% off (lol). It became addictive and made me feel terrible. It feels so much better when I take my materialistic thoughts captive and use that energy to spend time in the Lord and thank Him for what I <i>have</i> rather than think about what I want (that I don't need).<br />
Last month, I lost one of my students to a car accident. He was so humble. He didn't have much, but appreciated what he <i>did </i>have. This has been on my mind. I want to be more like that.<br />
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As far as man's empty praise, I keep reminding myself that if I have Christ and HIS approval, I have everything I need. I sat in a workshop last Wednesday night where the speaker talked about social media and adolescents and the effect it has on them. I think about the effect it can have on me if I let it. I've written on here about girls looking at Instagram and comparing themselves to other girls. Young women. Older women. I've seen firsthand that Satan uses this to attack us as females. If he can't have our hearts, he wants to take our self-esteem. He was vain and jealous of God so he got kicked out of Heaven. In the Garden of Eden, he was jealous of Eve's beauty, so he caused her to sin. He wants to attack us by stealing our self-worth. We get on Instagram and forget what we are worth to Christ - everything. He created each of us to be beautiful in our own way.<br />
Man's approval is empty. Sure, you don't want to have a bad reputation, but when it comes down to it, if you are right in Christ's eyes, that's all that matters. That's all you really need.<br />
In a world where we are always so conscious of what others think, I want to stay focused on the Lord. Everything else will work itself out.<br />
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<br />Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-75382997307135943862017-07-11T13:05:00.001-04:002018-02-08T16:00:15.530-05:00Advice to My College Self<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I didn't want to go to college. I decided in sixth grade that I was going to be a movie star and I didn't need college. That was my mentality my first year at High Point University. Looking back, I wish I had made the most of my freshman year instead of going through the motions.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">My mom told me I had to go to college, so I knew I was going to go. When it came down to time to decide, I didn't know where to go. I had great options - North Carolina State University, Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and High Point University. The problem was, I wasn't passionate about one over the other and I didn't want to leave home. I finally chose UNC-G and decided to live at home and commute.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">My first semester of college was a struggle. I wasn't prepared for the self discipline it took to get to freshman seminar on time, I wasn't dedicated to doing well in my classes, and I was nostalgic for the simplicity of high school life. It was a mess. My GPA was less than stellar, and I wasn't completely sure I was where I should be. I started the process to transfer to High Point University, although I wasn't sure that was the answer either.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Once at High Point, I tried to enjoy college more. I tried joining some clubs, but ultimately I didn't have much reason to spend time on campus because I lived at home and still had local friends, so I didn't make many friends at first.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I was a theatre minor, and thank goodness for that - it forced me to spend many hours on campus working on shows. Through the theatre program, I started making friends.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">During my senior year (fifth year I might add), HPU got a new sorority - Alpha Chi Omega decided to start a chapter there. This was my final attempt at making college somewhat meaningful. The process was a lot of fun and I ended up being not only a founding member of the Kappa Omicron chapter of AXO, but serving on the first executive board. I had a blast.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">A few months later when my collegiate years were coming to a close, I wasn't ready.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I went on to attend graduate school at Appalachian State University. I had always been interested in ASU, but was never brave enough to do it. Although it was tempting to attend grad school at HPU and stay with my sorority sisters, the mountains were calling.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">My time at Appalachian State was undoubtedly the most pivotal time in my life. I get chills writing about it. Getting away from home and making a new home in the mountains of North Carolina was an invaluable experience. In fact, it was essential. I cannot imagine my life without it. The spiritual and personal growth I experienced was phenomenal. I had a whole different outlook on life after Appalachian. I am a better person because of my time in Boone, North Carolina.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So there's my story; now here's my advice.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>1. Go out on a limb. </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">If you want to go far away for school, don't let fear paralyze you. It ended up being good for me to be at home because I got to spend a ton of time with my grandma for the last couple years of her life, so I don't regret not going away - I just know that getting away from home lends way to new perspectives and adventures. Even if it's hard at first!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>2. Join clubs and organizations!</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Joining the right Greek organization can be an awesome experience as long as you make sure to stay grounded in your morals and beliefs. But say no to hazing! I met some amazing women by joining Alpha Chi Omega. I was a maid of honor in one of my AXO sisters' weddings last year and now I'm the advisor for the AXO chapter at HPU, getting to work with awesome women throughout the school year and attend fun and informative workshops in the summers. Greek life doesn't have to end after college!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Joining a campus ministry (New Life) at Appalachian was SUCH a wonderful decision. Not only did I meet one of my best friends for life, but I grew so much in my Christian faith by having like-minded believers surrounding me and encouraging me. I'd recommend joining a faith-based group to anyone with any religious affiliation. I wish I had done so at High Point University.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>3. Stay true to yourself.</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Don't look around and try to mold yourself to the standards of others, or what seems to be the "norm." I teach high school, and I know that's how it is there. But in college, being different is more "cool," thank goodness. Definitely work hard and make good grades, but also take time to have fun. Find a balance. Don't have too much fun! College can be a time when it's tempting to get off on the wrong path. It is so easy to start following the crowd and doing what they do, and often that can lead to danger. Just because Mama and Daddy aren't there to make sure you're acting right doesn't mean you should go crazy and get in trouble!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>4. APPLY EARLY AND APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!!!</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Apply to the schools you want to get into EARLY. Find out the earliest deadline and have your application in by then. There's so much competition out there, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances are of getting into the schools you are interested in.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Apply for every scholarship that you think you can get. There are so many scholarships out there and no reason not to get FREE money!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">There are also many loan options, so if money is an issue, it doesn't have to keep you from reaching your dreams. Know there are resources that can help. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>5. Make the most of it!</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">These four (or five :)) years will FLY by. Enjoy every minute, and don't take it for granted! The real world and a steady income may seem appealing, but you should never wish your life away. College is an amazing time in life. You get to make your own schedule, meet tons of new people, try new things, and learn so much. Don't waste any of it! Savor everything college has to offer.</span>Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-71795855131887128892017-03-24T14:23:00.001-04:002017-03-24T14:23:33.337-04:00The Approval of OthersOne of my downfalls is seeking the approval of others - of caring too much what others might think about the decisions I make / of wanting someone to tell me what THEY think I should do because I feel like an objective opinion is better sometimes.<br />
Granted, I seek this advice and approval from spiritually like-minded friends, articles and books by Christian articles, etc, but the main source of my guidance and approval should be the Bible / the Lord.<br />
<br />
Today, with social media and our lives on display, it's easy for everyone we know to know every little move we make if we choose to put our business out there. For me personally, with big decisions I've made, I've always thought "What would other people think about this decision?"<br />
-choosing the college I went to<br />
-choosing the grad school I went to<br />
-what city I choose to live in<br />
-buying my house<br />
-the job I choose to have / where I choose to work<br />
(just some examples)<br />
<br />
While it's great to seek godly advice and read Bible-based literature, the main thing I should be doing is seeking God's guidance and letting Him lead me to do what His will is. He has a unique plan for MY life, and I will not find the answers for my life in the situations of others.<br />
<br />
My friend Ashland always tells me "Do what makes YOU happy - you are the only one that has to live with your decisions."<br />
<br />
My friend Grace told me just the other day, "You have to go off of what the Lord is telling you to do. Outside of that it's YOUR life."<br />
<br />
And I knew these things, but boy, is it great to have friends who will constantly remind me of such truth!! Friends who will point me to Christ when my mind is getting bombarded. I am involved in lots of things, see many people all the time, and everyone has input and an opinion. It's important to stay focused, no matter how much you respect the opinions of these people.<br />
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The Lord loves you and wants His best for you more than <i>anyone </i>else in the world does.<br />
Hello, He CREATED you! Of course He KNOWS you better than anyone...and has a perfect plan for you.<br />
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I also have gotten really caught up in looking to articles written by Christian counselors, speakers, pastors, etc. That's great, and God puts those people here to help guide us, but that should never be my first go-to when I need answers. They might not even have the answers I need specifically for MY life! They don't know me at all - the Lord knows me better than I know myself.<br />
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There's no recipe for success - God has a different plan for everyone, and your plan might look odd to some people in your life, and that's okay! Follow Him where He leads you. Let your heart be open to the opportunities He has, and if they seem sketchy or hard at first, have faith that He knows what He's doing. Because He does!<br />
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Pray, pray, pray! The closer you are with God, the more in-tune you will be with His Spirit and able to hear from Him.<br />
<br />
Looking around, you'll lose your focus; looking to God, you'll be provided with direction, even if it doesn't seem like it. Keep pressing into Him and asking Him to reveal truth, make a way, provide clarity, and get rid of the things in your life you don't need.<br />
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*Constantly reminding myself of all of this.*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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" 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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-37972940337429178792017-03-22T10:01:00.002-04:002017-03-22T14:57:03.600-04:00Come Wrestle Us and Win<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few weeks ago, the message at church was about Jacob literally wrestling with God and God giving him a new name and identity. Jacob has been dealing with some hard things and plans to spend the whole night alone praying, but God interrupts his plans to come and wrestle with him. Jacob demands a blessing, which pleases God, and God delivers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob [deceiver], but Israel [strives with God], for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed” (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Gen 32.28" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2032.28" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-style: dashed; border-top-color: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Genesis 32:28</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I've been thinking a lot lately about Psalm 46. It is all about God's sovereign power and how He is with us through anything we go through, and how He will always win. He won against Jacob because after the match, Jacob changed his ways, lifestyle, and lived up to his new identity. At first, though, Jacob was headstrong and wanted his own way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">Thinking about times in my life that were difficult, or where I wanted my own way, I think about how I've spent so much time wrestling with God. He always wins. I have been headstrong and wanted my own way and begged Him to comply, but more often than not, He has said "No, I have something different for you."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><i>And it has always been better than what I could've planned.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I wanted my first teaching job to be at Southwest. It wasn't. I was crushed. The Lord had other plans.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I grew in leaps and bounds as a person, and spiritually at Andrews High School. I also made some lifelong friends, including one of the best friends and spiritual encouragers I've ever had (or will ever have). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I wrestled with God over many things while I was in grad school. Right before I moved to Boone, I experienced a horrible breakup. My first week in Boone, we found out my uncle had stage four lung cancer. A few months later we found out our 14-year-old family dog had cancer. She passed away, and a couple months later, so did my uncle.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I wrestled with God over these things. They were hard. I didn't want them to happen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">Looking back on that time in my life, it has been (so far) the most pivotal time as far as spiritual growth. I learned how to truly rely on the Lord and His will and guidance and judgment and power. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned how to truly identify as a Child of the King and "live like I'm loved."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned how to truly praise Him in life's storms.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned how to say, "And if not, He is still good."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned that His plans are far better than the ones I create for myself, although it never seems like it at first.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned that even if He doesn't answer right away, or in the way that I want, awesome things can still come from the situation.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned to truly "rejoice in trials," for they bring about growth and endurance.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I learned that truly, when I am weak, Christ's strength is shown.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I wrestled God, and He won. He won because I grew in Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I went from 'saved' to 'filled with the Holy Spirit.'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I was broken, so He could fill me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;">I became <i>sanctified</i>.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">For my students' warm-up today, I had them write about a time when they didn't want to do something, but they did it anyway, and they were glad they did. They all had various stories about how they did something difficult or daunting, or something they just plain didn't want to do, and how they felt better after.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">That's how it is with God, often times. His will might not line up with our own. But if Jesus Himself had to bow to His Father's will, how much more should we?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">Usually when you do something God compels (or forces) you to do, you find out afterward, you benefit in some way if you let your heart be open to the opportunities and blessings that come with the situation.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">AND, in Psalm 46, we are reassured that through it all, the Lord will be with us through the fire, as a shelter, through the <i>fiercest battle. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">Going through things with Him by our side will only bring us closer to Him.</span></span>Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-15668624466940745262017-03-16T10:57:00.001-04:002017-03-16T11:04:19.906-04:00When You Feel Like You're Not Good EnoughLast night at church the message was about spiritual attack and lies from Satan that distract us from doing God's work or tempt us to get off track.<br />
<br />
I lead a small group of amazing middle school girls that I love so much, and our discussion after the message was great.<br />
<br />
A couple weeks ago, I was talking to one of my best friends on the phone (she's in San Antonio) and she brought up a good point - Satan knows exactly how to tempt girls/women. He knows that we are, for the most part, concerned with our looks and being accepted and admired, and he uses that to feed us lies and try to get us off track.<br />
<br />
Last night we talked about how with social media, it's harder than ever for girls and women not to compare themselves to others. With filters and HD photos and the ability to post only your best pictures and make it look like life is perfect, it's easy to scroll through the Instagram news feed and start to feel really bad about your own self because everyone else looks so perfect.<br />
<br />
This is exactly what Satan wants. Ladies, he wants to attack your self-esteem and get you to think about and <i>dwell on</i><br />
how many likes you get<br />
how perfect YOUR pictures look<br />
how perfect your life is NOT<br />
how are these other girls so perfect?!<br />
They have perfect lives<br />
and perfect looks<br />
and perfect bodies<br />
and perfect hair<br />
and perfect friends<br />
and perfect boyfriends<br />
and perfect clothes<br />
and lots of likes<br />
and people love them<br />
<br />
......and that's the opposite of my life...<br />
<i>and I'm not good enough.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
LIES!!!!<br />
<br />
Satan knows if he can get you into this rut - this negative thinking - that these thoughts will control you and get you down and keep you from getting involved in activities and investing in others, serving the Lord, etc.<br />
<br />
Teaching high school and being involved on college campuses for different things, I really see the reality of this. It makes me so sad to know how <b>genuinely concerned </b>young ladies are about posting pictures that they think will get a lot of likes, and how <b>genuinely crushed </b>they are if the pictures don't get the amount that they desire.<br />
How <b>genuinely worthless</b> they feel when they see another girl who gets more likes.<br />
<br />
Ladies, social media can be used for SO MUCH good, but it can also be SO DESTRUCTIVE, very often without even meaning to. These girls don't post 'perfect' pictures to make YOU feel bad -- you feel bad because you are listening to Satan's lies!<br />
<br />
IF you know you can't look at social media without feeling down about yourself, don't look at it!<br />
<br />
Spend time in God's word, reading scripture and letting the Lord pour His <i><b>truth </b></i>into you.<br />
His truth:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>You ARE a child of the King - Galatians 3:26</b><br />
<b><i>You are </i><i>worth more than gold - </i>Proverbs 31</b><br />
<b>You are precious - Isaiah 43:4</b><br />
<b>You are STRONG - Proverbs 31</b><br />
<b>You are ONE OF A KIND - Psalm 139:14</b><br />
<b>You are favored - Psalm 5:12</b><br />
<b>You are blessed - Deuteronomy 28:1-14</b><br />
<b>He loves you just the way you are - John 3:16</b><br />
<b>Because HE created you just the way He wanted you to be - Genesis 1:26</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you start learning and growing in the Lord, your self-esteem will increase and you won't worry as much about other girls and compare yourselves to them. You will go about your merry way, serving the Lord and feeling fulfilled in HIS love.</div>
<br />
And remember:<br />
*Never compare your life to someone's 'highlight reel.'<br />
*That means:<br />
-You know your life and it's a rollercoaster. Lots of ups and downs.<br />
-Every single girl on Instagram has a rollercoaster life, just like you.<br />
-Just because they don't post pictures of their tears and struggles and eating disorders and fights with parents and breakups and bad grades and not-so-cute outfits does NOT mean these things don't happen to them.<br />
-No one's life is perfect, <i>no matter how perfect it looks on Instagram.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't believe the lies!</span></div>
Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-23933319367989061402017-03-14T11:37:00.005-04:002017-03-14T14:15:55.698-04:00Psalm 46<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Last Thursday night I got in my car and drove to Hilton Head Island for a mental health mini-vacation. I was meeting two precious friends down there, and had five hours in the car all to myself. I had a LOT on my mind from last week, and although the drive was brutal for my legs and fanny, I got to talk on the phone with a precious godly accountability partner / encourager (BFF) and spend time in my thoughts in silence and with my worship music, and most importantly, talk to God.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">I was listening to my worship playlist on Spotify and the songs ran out, so Spotify started playing songs recommended for me. "Psalm 46" by Shane and Shane came on, and I had never heard it before. I loved it immediately, so I played it again and really listened to the words.</span><br />
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O come behold the works of God
the nations at His feet.
He breaks the bow and bends the spear</div>
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and tells the wars to cease.
O Mighty One of Israel
you are on our side.
We walk by faith in God who burns the chariots with fire
<b>Lord of Hosts, You're with us
with us in the fire,
with us as a shelter,
with us in the storm.
You will lead us
through the fiercest battle,
oh where else would we go,
but with the Lord of Hosts.</b>
O God of Jacob, fierce and great,
You lift Your voice to speak.
The earth it bows and all
the mountains move into the sea
O Lord You know the hearts of men
and still you let them live.
O God, who makes the mountains melt
come wrestle us and win.
O God who makes the mountains melt
come wrestle us and win.
Though oceans roar, You are the Lord of all,
the one who calms the wind and waves and makes my heart be still.
Though the earth gives way, the mountains move into the sea,
the nations rage, I know my God is in control.
Though oceans roar, You are the Lord of all,
the one who calms the wind and waves and makes my heart be still.
Though the earth gives way, the mountains move into the sea,
the nations rage, <b>I know my God is in control</b>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This morning I decided to look up Psalm 46 and see what it was all about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was reminded of one of the sermons I sat through Sunday. It was about Jacob wrestling with God all night one night and the Lord asked him his name and he told Him, and when asked HIS name, the Lord did not reply (meaning He had won), leaving Jacob to realize that it was God Almighty. The Lord then gave him a new name (Israel) and identity and delivered him from a lifetime of struggle through sin and pride and jealousy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Come wrestle us and win."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are we wrestling with right now that God needs to free us from? We are safe in Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He's with us as a Shelter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With us in the FIRE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With us through the storm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With us through the FIERCEST battles we face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Through Him, we WILL prevail and conquer our sins and trials.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This passage / song speaks of the sheer <i><b>power </b></i>of the Lord and how nothing can defeat Him, although it may seem as if the world around us is going crazy, and the battles within ourselves even scarier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even if the Earth gives way and the storms become violent and the trials in life are as mountains that can't be moved, we know our God is in control. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"The Lord will fight for you; you only have to be still."</i></span></div>
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-19391289218205440552017-03-13T11:01:00.000-04:002017-03-13T11:02:53.609-04:00The Reality of Sin<i><span style="color: #666666;">Yesterday I was blessed to sit through THREE amazing church services. Lately, I feel like I really need to absorb as much of the Word as I can on Sundays in order to thrive through the week. It is so easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life, and I've found that the best way to combat that is to be poured into through spiritual teaching. I can't pour into my students or my family or my friends or my middle school girls on Wednesday nights if I'm not constantly growing and learning. </span></i><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666;">It's also really cool / interesting to sit at different churches with entirely different groups of people and hear the Word presented in different ways.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666;">Different churches appeal more to families or young people or older people for different reasons.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666;">One thing I realized as I sat in my home church yesterday morning (OakView Baptist) is that although we don't have the lights and the music and coffee, we do hear the Word in a way that really gets deep into your soul.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666;">It's a trend nowadays to preach and celebrate victory over sin and shout that we are conquerors through Jesus and be positive and happy and all of that is true and awesome and motivational!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666;">...But I realized yesterday we (I) sometimes through this, lose sight of the <i>realty of sin.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">The detriment of sin.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">The <i>weight of sin.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><i><br /></i>
Pastor Steve brought a message that desperately needs to be heard over and over again in churches all across the nation. It was timely and it was hard. It was <i>necessary.</i></span><br />
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My heart has been so burdened lately by our culture. It seems like people are celebrating sin and godlessness everywhere we look. We can't escape it, and as a high school teacher I see it more than most. I see how it is affecting our young people. I see how it has affected friends and family members. It kills me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">But this weekend, I was challenged to ask the Lord to reveal sin in MY life through the Holy Spirit and deal with it accordingly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">I took some notes yesterday and wanted to share them here:</span><br />
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<b>From Joshua 7 and the story of Achan who hid treasures under his tent (symbol / metaphor for sin we cover up in our lives) ---</b><br />
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-ONE SIN can ruin a WHOLE life.<br />
Example: One episode of drunk driving is all it takes to kill someone.<br />
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-One 'small' sin can be a sign of a sick heart.<br />
Examples: ONE cancer cell can spread and eat up your entire body.<br />
ONE blood clot can trigger a stroke.<br />
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-Sin HAS to be dealt with -- you absolutely cannot defeat Satan if you are constantly living in sin you have covered up.<br />
-You cannot ignore it, or it will get bigger and spread like cancer and ruin things in your life.<br />
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-You have to realize and admit what you are struggling with / doing wrong. That's the first step.<br />
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-If you struggle with being tempted to sin, if you don't look at what tempts you, you won't be tempted to covet (want) it.<br />
Examples: Had David never looked at his neighbor (and kept looking), he would've never wanted to have an affair with her and later <i>kill </i>her husband to cover it up.<br />
(Lives ruined because of one man's sin)<br />
If I know it tempts me to look at websites where I like to online shop, <b>I don't need to go to those websites!</b><br />
"Don't look upon the accursed thing."<br />
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-Our sin GRIEVES God's heart. The Bible says it makes Him <i>grieve.</i><br />
<i>Why would we want to do that to Him when He has done everything for us?</i><br />
<i>When He CHOSE to die on a cross for the very sin we keep hurting Him with?</i><br />
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-When I think about it that way, it hurts me to know I hurt HIM!<br />
-My idolatry hurts Him.<br />
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-Your sin <b>never </b>affects just one person (you).<br />
-Other people will always suffer as a result.<br />
Examples: Innocent victims in drunk driving accidents.<br />
Families of those who are addicted to drugs / pornography / gaining material things<br />
-We have to think about our sin in this way: "How will this HURT the people I love? Is it worth it?"<br />
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-SIN keeps the Holy Spirit from doing what it <i style="font-weight: bold;">wants </i>to do in our lives. The Lord is trying to work in us and we block Him from doing that when we routinely participate in sin.<br />
-We block ourselves from growing and living our best and most abundant life.<br />
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-There's nothing hidden that won't eventually be brought to light.<br />
-You may hide certain sins for a while, but God sees all, and it won't be long before the side affects of the sin start to seep out and intoxicate every area of your life. Your heart will suffer, and will show it.<br />
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-Become sanctified (turn from the sin) or God will not stand by you.<br />
(He is always with us, but His comforting presence will leave us if we keep sinning the same sins and not repenting of them.)<br />
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-There has to be repentance and there has to be change.<br />
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-Basically, you have an ultimatum. Keep living in this sin, or live in Christ.<br />
-Choose God or your sin. You cannot have both.<br />
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<b>TAKE SIN SERIOUSLY! GOD DOES!</b></div>
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***This challenged me to evaluate my pride and my idolatry. My <b>lust </b>for material things has gotten to the point where it scared me. It's a constant battle I fight, but the Lord has showed me over the past few years that clothes and jewelry AND EVEN CUTE SHOES won't bring peace or joy.<br />
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***When you realize your sin and how it affects you and your relationship with Christ and your friends and family and romantic relationships and your ability to live abundantly in freedom...<br />
All of a sudden, going to the mall and seeing cute clothes and jewelry repulses me and I'm not tempted by it.<br />
But if I were to get caught up in buying things all the time again,<u> I would go right back to that sinful place where I want more and more and it's never enough.</u><br />
And I would reap the consequences of that sin yet again.<br />
<u><br /></u>
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I hope this helps someone!Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-67689289356096450562017-03-08T16:18:00.002-05:002017-03-08T16:19:40.085-05:00Why Me??I've written about this before - how could I not? Yesterday I wrote about how sometimes God allows us to go through things so that we can help others who go through the same things later.<br />
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Waiting is especially hard.<br />
Waiting...<br />
Why do I not have this or that yet? All my other friends do.<br />
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Why am I going through this particular struggle? When will it be over?<br />
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Why do I <i>keep</i> having to deal with struggles?<br />
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Well, absolutely NO life is struggle-free, and the Christian life was never promised to be easy.<br />
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James 5:7 says to be patient.<br />
"See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains."<br />
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Sometimes we just have to wait a little longer to get a blessing that's just a little sweeter.<br />
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Sometimes we have to wait in seasons of wilderness and desert so that we can say "Christ is enough for me" because He's all we have.<br />
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Sometimes it's so that we can see HOW faithful He is when we see Him making "a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43)<br />
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<b>Sometimes it's hard to remain positive because it's been <i>so </i>long and you've been <i>so patient</i>...</b><br />
<b>These are either opportunities to grow our faith or wallow in self-pity (and as I'm writing this, I'm half-wallowing in self-pity, so please don't feel like I have it all together AT ALL. I am working on this daily. This is where I'm at right now.)</b><br />
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Even the tiniest bit of faith can be grown into the kind that moves mountains.<br />
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<i>"Faith commanded, and the mountains moved."</i><br />
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Why do I have these mountains in my life?<br />
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I guess so that my patience and faith can grow. I don't always know. I might not know til much later in life or I might know next week. I have to let the Holy Spirit bring me peace while I wait. And keep in mind Romans 8:28:<br />
"For we know that all things work together for the good of those that love The Lord, who are called by His name."<br />
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Why me?<br />
We will see.Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-49839462787573520512017-03-07T14:54:00.000-05:002017-03-07T14:54:09.936-05:00Filled to Be Emptied AgainIt's so hard when something unexpected happens that just kind of rocks your world. Especially when things are great and you've been on the nountaintop. But it's also hard to HAVE to rely on God when you're on the mountaintop, so you have to go through valleys.<br />
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Last night on the radio, I heard the best reminder at the best time:<br />
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"God may not be allowing you to go through this as punishment, but because He knows you will be able to help others through the same kind of situation if you have gone through it yourself. He is using you to help others."<br />
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That's how I've always tried to see my challenges, and if just one person can benefit from my trials, then I can count it worth it (not always as easily as I say this. Most things are easier said than done!)<br />
Because let's be honest, when things are hard, I use writing as therapy and cling to Jesus just a little more than usual. I read my Bible more and get my fanny into the prayer closet more often and pray a little harder. I'm more on fire when I'm going THROUGH fire, and He knows that, and He knows others can see my passion more during these times.<br />
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It still really stinks to go through tough stuff, but if there's any sort of good outcome from my trials, and others can benefit, I can have more peace.<br />
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He constantly fills me to be emptied again.<br />
Emptied: Pouring out what He has done in my heart and telling others how He has sustained me through everything so that others can learn/receive/benefitBeth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-41999122226837226692017-03-05T16:24:00.000-05:002017-03-06T09:51:08.824-05:00The Power to Overcome ANYTHING.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Exodus 3❤️️</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Before Moses was the leader of the Israelites, he murdered an Egyptian but we remember him as a<i> deliverer.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">If you want to be a deliver<b>er</b>, you have to be deliver<b>ed</b> from something.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">You have to deal with things in your life you need to be delivered from in order to be a deliverER. God has to deal with your heart.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Moses needed victory in his heart / soul / deepest places.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Moses had to go to Pharaoh. He had to run TO the thing he had to be delivered from and defeat it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Don't run AWAY from it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Moses had not yet settled his identity as a child of God. <b>When we do that, we can be used.</b></span><b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">>> If you want to experience victory, you first have to experience defeat. <<</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Biggest battles in life are <u>internal</u> battles. He had to settle that within himself before he could "lift the lid" and set the people free.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Lord told Moses through all of this that He would be with him, and the same goes for us.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">When you know who your life belongs to, <b>everything </b>can be overcome. You see yourself as not defeated, but as an overcomer.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Whatever you are battling, the answer is found in <i>knowing who you are (child of God)</i> and that The Lord is <u>inside of you.</u></span><u><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /></u><br />
"The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in US."<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>We see obstacles; He sees opportunities.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">He always meant for us to live in freedom, never in bondage to sin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Never give up and say "This is just how it is."</span><br />
KEEP FIGHTING.<br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">As long as you have flesh on your bones you will have a battle.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>If Satan can't get your soul, he will settle for trying to control your mind.</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>DONT LET HIM.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">At the end of the day, Moses was willing to OBEY and that's how he was able to work for the Lord.</span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"There is power in the name of Jesus to break EVERY chain."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"WHO THE SON SETS FREE IS FREE INDEED."</span></i>Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-59851821890635352392017-02-27T00:25:00.001-05:002017-02-27T00:25:30.489-05:00Refreshingly SimpleSo I decided to write a post tonight. I haven't posted in a while. Work has been busy. Life has been busy. I got sick last week...<br />
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Anyway, I went to get some juice from the refrigerator to enjoy while I wrote, and noticed the grape juice said "refreshingly simple," which perfectly describes what is on my heart to write about tonight. How perfect.<br />
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Now I'm drinking my refreshingly simple grape juice, thinking about how the same should be said about our faith in Christ. I read on Friday the part of Mark where Jesus talks about how you won't enter Heaven unless you have childlike faith. That means simple, trusting faith. The kind that children have in the tooth fairy and Santa and Mommy and Daddy.<br />
(The kind Emery has that I will feed her every day and she won't ever go hungry.)<br />
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I feel like we get worked up and worry about things that don't matter, therefore wasting our time and thoughts when they could be used in better ways. At least I do.<br />
In our girls' Bible study tonight at church, we talked about how Satan tries to fill our minds with lies and cause us to overthink.<br />
We talked about how as women, we often have FOMO ("fear of missing out") and social media makes it worse.<br />
We talked about how we sometimes think we have to be 'important' for God to use us ('Instagram famous,' popular, etc).<br />
We learned about how God uses simple, ordinary people to do extraordinary things.<br />
We read the story of Jael, a woman in the book of Judges, who killed Sisera to deliver Israel from the troops of King Jabin. She was not famous. If they'd had Instagram back then, she would not have been one to get many followers or likes. She wasn't living in a big city, working a cool job. She just lived in a tent in the middle of nowhere and God used her to help His people.<br />
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Thinking about my weekend, it was refreshingly simple. I've been going and going, spreading myself way too thin and trying to be everywhere for everyone. Lately, I feel like I've been convicted with the importance of resting and finding peace in the Lord.<br />
This weekend I got to have meals with my mom and sister, see my students in a play at school and relax by the pool (yes, in February) with Drew, catch up with friends, and take naps. I haven't been able to do things like that lately.<br />
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What I'm left with before I go to bed tonight and start another week is this:<br />
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--Don't let Satan cause you to overthink and steal the joy of childlike faith. Don't be naive, and don't be <i>gullible</i>, but also, don't let your mind complicate things that God intended to be simple.<br />
--Rest in the Lord. Don't overwork yourself. If something is not adding value to your life and is not necessary, cut it out. Life is too short to stress so much.<br />
--Don't give in to FOMO! Know you are created with a purpose and always strive to be better and have cool adventures, but you don't ALWAYS have to be moving and adventure-ing.<br />
--Don't ever think that God can't use you; He can use you in amazing ways - and wants to. If you just keep an eye out and pray for opportunities, He will present them to you, whether they are serving others, leading people to Him, etc. That's what we were CREATED FOR!!!<br />
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<br />Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-87019217431105418252017-02-09T11:55:00.000-05:002017-02-09T11:55:01.528-05:00Stop Getting Offended!...That's what I keep telling myself. I feel like I FEEL more lately... like I get ruffled by the slightest comment someone makes, even if they don't mean it in a rude way (sometimes they probably do :)).<br />
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TO REMAIN UNRUFFLED (one of our vocab words this week in ninth grade English), I use this little chart from a book we went through in a Bible study I was in a couple years ago.<br />
(The curriculum is L.I.F.E. - Living In Freedom Every day. It's a program from the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama.)<br />
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"Six Ways to Stay Unoffended by Studying the Life of Jesus"<br />
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1. <i>Take the lowest seat.</i><br />
<b>Consider everyone more important than yourself</b>. Put the needs of others before your own. Strive to please God, not yourself or others. Be the servant, and don't expect anyone to pay attention to you.<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">(Obv this doesn't mean NEVER take time for yourself or do something that makes YOU happy because if you don't, you get burnt out from serving and neglecting yourself isn't good either!)</span><br />
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2. <i>Always remain grateful.</i><br />
<b>It changes our attitude, by keeping us aware of God's provision and blessing.</b><br />
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3. <i>Give others their freedom.</i><br />
<b>Don't try to control others</b> <span style="color: #a64d79;">(I HIGHLIGHTED THIS IN BRIGHT YELLOW BECAUSE I ADMIT, I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS. BIG TIME!!!)</span>. People need freedom to make their own decisions. Sometimes they make good ones; sometimes they make bad ones. <b>Either way, it is their decision</b>.<br />
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4. <i>Make decisions that promote life in others.</i><br />
When someone offends you, it may seem natural to ignore that person or pay back wrong, but Jesus says <b>there is a better way</b>. Choose to speak and do things that reveal the Tree of Life. How they respond is up to them.<br />
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5. <i>Trust God to bring justice when an offense comes. </i><br />
Vengeance belongs to the Lord. None of us really wants true justice or what we really deserve - we'd rather have grace!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. <i>Dedicate time to the Lord.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Find refreshing in prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>God's presence brings change</b>!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">(I feel like the more time I spend with the Lord - in prayer and in His word, the less offended I become by other people because I see things in a more supernatural way and realize that EVERYONE will fail me except Christ. Human nature says we WILL fail each other sometimes. Then it's not as personal to me.)</span>Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-4046151756329218252017-02-06T09:52:00.001-05:002017-02-06T09:57:25.596-05:00* Waiting - One More Thing You Shouldn't Worry About *<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Looking back through my old blog posts from Februaries past, looking for inspiration to write new posts... I really like to write about love in February because I feel like Valentine's Day has been commercialized to the point that we forget what real, true love should be like. </span></h3>
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Anyway, I saw this post I wrote in 2015 and feel led to share it today, adding some "insight" two years later. A lot has changed in two years - I have grown in my faith and as a person. Looking at this post now, I still agree 100% and can add some things:</div>
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At our church, the youth are doing "True Love Waits" in Sunday school right now. Sometimes when you hear "true love waits" you think of holy-roller Baptists who are firm in their decision to save themselves for marriage and wear rings to show it, am I right?!?! And I would never knock that (I heard someone the other day bashing Jessica Simpson for saving herself before her first marriage and it made me very angry), but there's so much MORE to waiting for your future marriage than just holding off physically. I think that's what we've been missing sometimes. </div>
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"True Love Waits" can mean a lot of things:</div>
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- Trusting God and finding fulfillment in Him rather than constantly searching for the person you'll end up with / praying for God to send them to you</div>
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- Keeping your thoughts and actions <b>pure </b>IN ALL ASPECTS of life, knowing that all impurity starts in your mind and that what you do today could affect your relationships down the road. </div>
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- Serving in some capacity while you are a single person and pouring the love you have into some sort of mission or project that will further the Christian mission - this will help you put your time and energy into something meaningful and worthwhile</div>
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- Surrounding yourself with other Christ followers who can build you up and encourage you in your faith - this will also fill the 'void' you think you have without a significant other</div>
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- Trusting God in knowing that HE created your heart, so HE knows who will hold it best, and knowing that you don't have to worry at all if you are focused on Him; He will send the one who deserves it in His perfect time<br />
THIS IS WHY/HOW YOU WAIT.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I wish someone had told me all this in high school! I never participated in any True Love Waits programs, or even in my youth group at all. I did the right thing because it was the right thing and I was scared to do the wrong thing. I think with adolescents it's important for them to know WHY God gives us rules (to protect us and save us for the best that He can give us), otherwise they are just rules and following Christ is just going through the motions instead of living in freedom.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When we obey because we love Christ, it feels a lot better than obeying because our parents or youth leaders told us to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">February 9, 2015</span></h3>
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Who Deserves Your Heart?</h3>
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<span style="color: #990000;">I was thinking...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Isn't it funny how we sometimes try to control our own destiny, seeking out what we think is best for us? Especially when it comes to relationships...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>"I deserve</b> ________</i>(insert some sort of quality/standard/relationship goal here)<i>________<b>!!!"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">We try to navigate our way through the messiness of 'love,' learning lessons the hard way, getting hurt, riding the emotional rollercoaster that dating can be. And that's fine! It's part of life for most people. Some get it right the first time; some go through a lot to get to the right person.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">But it's important to ask yourself something - something that might alleviate some of the troubles of dating:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b> If God created me and knows my heart better than I know it myself </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>(hello, HE CREATED my heart!), </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>shouldn't I trust Him to ultimately lead me to the person that He <i>knows </i>is best for me? </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">That takes a lot of pressure off me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">All I have to do is focus on God and keeping my heart pure, and He will take care of the rest.</span></div>
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-26781462856239975612017-02-03T11:14:00.003-05:002017-02-03T11:14:55.149-05:00Love / Dating - Run as Fast as You Can!<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is something I wrote in February of 2014, inspired after seeing a quote and spending time focusing on the Lord and not trying to find a relationship. I wanted to repost it today to kick off February! <3 </span></h3>
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Love/Dating - Run as Fast as You Can! #repost</h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I saw this e-card on a girl's Instagram and immediately thought,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"This is the best dating advice I've ever seen!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Someone worthy of your time and [[possibly sharing your life]] will seek God just as diligently and earnestly as you do. If you're seeking God with all your might, you don't need to worry about finding the right person. He/she will be <em>led by Christ </em>to you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">This person will not take your focus off of Christ and His plan for your life. In fact, the right person will <em>foster</em> your growth in the Lord. You will grow in Christ together and help each other, not hinder each other.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">If this isn't the case in your relationship, you are wasting your time!</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Don't stay with someone who doesn't bring out the best in you <em>most of the time.</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #444444;"></span></em> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Don't stay with someone who doesn't have your spiritual health in his/her best interest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Don't stay with someone who isn't avidly seeking God like you are.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">And ATTENTION GIRLS:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Do NOT stay with the guy that <em>pressures</em> you to be physical.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">RUN from that guy. He does not respect you or have your best interest in mind AT ALL.</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #444444;"></span></em> </div>
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<em><span style="color: #444444;"></span></em> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">If the relationship is God-centered, then it will be healthy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Until that is the case,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;">run as fast as you can towards God, and if someone keeps up, introduce yourself!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">eBa</span></div>
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-22295001429028850672017-01-23T12:13:00.000-05:002017-01-23T12:20:19.780-05:00Pressed But Not Crushed<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
This was my Facebook status the other day after reading the tiniest bit of David Jeremiah's book What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do:</div>
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"I have quoted "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9) over and over but never, until this moment, realized that it literally means that you will NOT become spiritually mature until you have gone through a trial (or ten) of some sort. You have to be weak at some point in order to be spiritually strong, just as gold has to be refined by fire.</div>
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It's like how it's not really fun to go to the gym and it usually hurts, but if you <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">want a result, you have to go through some pain!</span></div>
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THAT'S why we should be thankful for hard times. Even though they aren't fun, they will make us better - give us perfect strength. There's hope in knowing the hard time you are going through will produce something good eventually.</div>
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<span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration: none;"><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lightbulbmoment?source=feed_text&story_id=10154060027616507" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #4267b2; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">LightbulbMoment</span></a>"</span></div>
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<span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration: none;">It's like I know all these things but they haven't quite connected yet. I realized the connection between this and my "Seasons in the Vineyard" post.</span></div>
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<a href="http://bethieb-rose.blogspot.com/2017/01/jesus-and-wine-making.html?_sm_au_=iVVBtqr6M1s3QdW5">(( Read Here: Jesus and Wine Making ))</a></div>
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<span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration: none;">(Relate it all to working out or wine making and I will get it, rest assured)</span></div>
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<span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration: none;">I was at a winery last spring for a bachelorette party, and we got a tour of the facility. We got to see where the wine is made! I still don't understand it all, but from what I understand the little grapes have to be pressed to get the wine after the harvest season. The phrase "pressed but not crushed" kept going over and over in my head.</span></div>
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<span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration: none;">The grapes are pressed and it hurts them, but they have to go through it to become made into the final product - the wine </span></div>
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<span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration: none;">(***<b>which should never be consumed to the point that it alters your mind</b> - Ephesians 5:18 - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Do not get drunk on wine,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29323A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29323A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit***).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I knew that God allows us to go through trials so strengthen us, but until the other day, I didn't realize that we HAVE to go through trials IN ORDER TO become mature spiritually. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I remember telling someone a couple weeks ago that it was unfortunate that I had to go through so many difficult events to get close to the Lord, but in reality, I would've never gotten close to Him <i>had they not happened.</i></span></div>
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***It's not just me - - it's that way for everyone!!***</div>
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Just like it hurts to work out but we won't get the results we want if we don't endure the pain...</div>
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And the grapes in the vineyard have to go through pain to become wine...</div>
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WE have to go through some things to become like Christ - perfect and holy, filled with the Spirit </div>
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(because you CAN be saved and not completely overflowing with the Spirit)</div>
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- It is not God punishing us. If we could see the end results, we would see why He <i>allows </i>us to go through trials.</div>
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- ALL evil comes from Satan and the evil within the world that stems from Adam and Eve's sin. God does allow it, but does not CAUSE it.</div>
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- I have seen great things come out of terrible situations - wonderful things that would not have happened had the terrible situation not happened.</div>
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It's hard to think about it this way sometimes, but maybe this will help anyone who is going through something rough - it has to mean that something great is happening underneath all the turmoil and will be revealed in time.</div>
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This just reminds me that I am constantly learning and still have so much more to connect and learn. How exciting!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Monday!!</span></div>
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-77152501648414399902017-01-18T02:41:00.004-05:002017-01-18T11:11:30.620-05:00When You Don't Give Me Answers<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for i will be still and know you are god" height="268" 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" 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<img alt="Image result for i will be still and know you are god" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQd8qUUc3uru9HUKpq8IfDaEXjafj_DHVLqd4gcnMhjvb8mY_J8" width="346" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes He doesn't give us answers...<br />
Sometimes He just wants to sustain us and carry us through the storm so that we will trust Him.<br />
<br />
Sometimes He makes us wait<br />
Sometimes it looks like a huge mess<br />
Sometimes He just wants to increase our faith<br />
...or our prayer life...<br />
...or our ability to survive.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it seems hopeless<br />
Sometimes it spins out of control<br />
<br />
But He is always God<br />
And always higher and bigger than the storms.<br />
<br />
And even though we may feel like we can't do it,<br />
When "all that's within me feels dry,"<br />
We have to trust Him and trust the process.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"When You don't give me answers, as I cry out to You,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I will trust in You."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
That is hard right now. And it's okay to say that.<br />
<i>Usually I don't. My pride won't let me.</i><br />
But sometimes It's totally okay to say "I've spent hours flat on my face crying out and I'm emptied dry. I have nothing else to say right now and I'm just going to trust."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Be still and know I am God."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 46:10</span><br />
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-3551093011620738372017-01-17T10:47:00.005-05:002017-01-17T10:55:00.353-05:00The Darkest Days<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">
<b>I wrote this very vulnerable post three years ago today as a reflection on one of the darkest times in my life.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>It took me four years to get the courage and find the words to write it.</b></div>
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<b>Please read and remember to cherish life and never put off something that the Lord has laid on your heart to do.</b></div>
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<img height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyRZpB1XdjiQgvTcX3O_VWQh-OWaL7WEDvqsT6AwR2K4c4AzzVMzAGfR-DesntIq935ZUp7cjatYWNs1SIVReL4LAXE3xYqy25oiBOBXoOszOd7if4QPQ0U6Yx37lhJuNL1-D2te8Faip/s400/blogger-image--743412943.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<b>Friday, January 17, 2014 </b></div>
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Two days ago, I overcame one of my biggest fears.</div>
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I was driving to the bank, and I had to pass the cemetery to get to the bank.</div>
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The cemetery I've been afraid to visit for four years now.</div>
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The cemetery I had a nightmare about.</div>
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The nightmare that haunted me for months.</div>
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Caused by the silence, caused by relentless guilt, caused by my human nature and disconnect and self-absorption.</div>
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I could see the headstones through the trees, now that it's winter - full-blown winter - and the leaves are gone. I didn't really plan on stopping, because I've always been terrified. And the guilt would just be too much, even if nothing happened to me. The sky was weird but really pretty. Dark clouds covered the top, but underneath was pink-ish.</div>
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Right before the turn, I decided to stop. I turned right and drove through the iron gates, down the dirt road, consciously looking out my rearview mirror. It looked just like it did in my nightmare and I felt uneasy. I pulled up to the spot where I remembered standing, four years ago, in the rain, on one of the worst and hardest days of my life. I scanned the headstones until I found the one I was looking for. I got out of my car and walked over to it, always checking behind me. I knelt down in the grass and prayed. I prayed for the family and I prayed that I would be better - more aware, more open, braver and more impulsive.</div>
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As I walked back to my car, I felt lighter. The sky was somber and yes, I was in a cemetery, but there was an undertone of quiet peace. As I drove to the bank, I felt like a little bit of burden had been lifted. I felt stronger, knowing I had finally overcome my fear and nothing had happened.</div>
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See, my brother and I are close in age, and we have a lot of the same friends. In the summer of 2009, I became pretty close with him and his friends, and hung out with them almost every night. There was one in particular, though, that I didn't know all that well, and for some reason felt a burden for him, but I didn't know why. His name was Matt. He always seemed <em>so </em>happy and joyful, and I wasn't sure why I felt like I needed to do something for him. He just seemed different. But the only thing I could think of was "maybe I should ask him if he knows Jesus."</div>
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Well, we all know how that goes. As humans, we will sometimes freely talk about <em>anything </em>but our faith. We will share our biggest secrets, regrets, etc. But when it comes to sharing our faith, we keep that to ourselves. Why?</div>
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Are we embarrassed?</div>
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Are we afraid others will think differently of us?</div>
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Do we not know how to bring it up?</div>
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Is it not "cool?"</div>
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Do we constantly wait for the 'right time' to say something?</div>
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Are we too caught up in our own lives and problems?</div>
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Are we afraid of offending someone?</div>
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Are we lazy?</div>
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Are we scared?</div>
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Do we not have a sense of urgency?</div>
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Are we apathetic?</div>
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<strong>Are we too busy?</strong></div>
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I think for me, it was a little bit of a few of those. I was definitely caught up in my own life, with what I thought were HUGE issues. I was definitely busy. I was lazy. I thought I had all the time in the world. I had no sense of urgency. It was never the "right time" to say something. I didn't know how to bring it up...</div>
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Well, I learned my lesson in the hardest way possible. One cold night in January of 2010 - January 17th - I was leaving the movie theater and I got a text and then phone call. It was our friend Mackenzie. He told me Matt had passed away. I didn't believe him at first, but it was true. Matt had randomly passed away in his sleep. I will never, ever forget going home that night and watching my brother and sister cry on the stairs in our house. All of us taking turns holding Honeygirl while we cried.</div>
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<strong>Asking God why.</strong></div>
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The next few weeks were a blur of status updates, pictures, the visitation, the funeral, tears, songs that made everyone cry...</div>
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I can't describe how it felt to see all of that. I won't go into any detail, but I will say I never had imagined feeling like that before. Feeling so hopeless and dark and thinking, "There is absolutely no way that anything good can come out of this situation."</div>
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I went to class, but all I could think about was Matt.</div>
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I went to work, but all I could think about was Matt.</div>
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I watched TV, and all I could think about was Matt.</div>
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I went to church, and all I could think about was Matt.</div>
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All the songs were about him.</div>
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The church looked like the funeral home.</div>
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I passed the cemetery every day.</div>
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I vividly remember riding in the car with my mom one day a few weeks later, and through sobs, saying, "That should've been me. I have so much, yet I'm so ungrateful and unhappy and discontent. I don't appreciate anything. Matt loved life and had so much joy. He should still be here, and I shouldn't."</div>
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Until then, I had never felt so low.</div>
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Until then, I had never wanted to die.</div>
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I had never felt like there was absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel.</div>
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Before I go any further, I want to say that I firmly believe that Matt is in Heaven right now, celebrating and much better off than any of the rest of us.</div>
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I believe this because we were later told that he was saved one night a few months beforehand.</div>
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At the time, though, I wasn't sure of that, and I felt the most immense amount of guilt, shame, regret... you name it.</div>
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I knew deep down in the depths of my heart that</div>
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<strong>if it was up to me - if I was the ONLY person in the world that knew Jesus, and it was up to me to tell Matt about Him, Matt would've never been saved at all.</strong></div>
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<strong><em>I had failed miserably.</em></strong></div>
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Personally, I believe that that is the worst feeling someone can ever have.</div>
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Within those few weeks, I had a nightmare that I had driven to the cemetery late at night, and someone pulled up behind me and started violently yanking on my door handle, trying to get me out of the car and do who knows what to me. From that night, I was terrified out of my mind to ever visit the grave. I was convinced that the nightmare was a warning that I shouldn't ever go.</div>
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{{And I didn't until two days ago.}}</div>
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I lived in fear for weeks and weeks.</div>
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Thoughts of my selfishness haunted me day and night. All I could think about was how ungrateful I was, how apathetic I was, and how I'd missed the call completely. The call to witness. The most important job in the world.</div>
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I thought about how, on the night of Matt's death, right before it happened, I had sat in the car, talking on the phone to Chanelle, and telling her how unhappy I was with my life. I complained for about an hour, about things that didn't really matter too much in the long run. I complained about school especially. The expensive, wonderful university I was blessed to attend. I complained about it. I complained about not getting the car I wanted at the car lot that day. I was a total brat. Little did I know, my world was about to get rocked forever.</div>
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I finally came out of my depression a couple months later.</div>
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I decided that from then on, I would be the best witness I could be. But I knew that nothing could atone for the lack of investing I had done in Matt's life. That is something I'll always regret, as long as I live.</div>
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So I guess what I've gotten out of this is that you just never know when will be your last chance to see someone. We are not guaranteed another day or even another breath. We don't always think that way, but we have to. I keep thinking,</div>
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"What if I'm the only trace of Jesus that this person will ever see? Am I doing my part in leading this person to Him or am I too caught up in my own issues to worry about that? Do I care enough about this person's eternity to invest in their life?"</div>
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Thinking that way will make things more real, and hopefully inspire us all to do our part in being better witnesses. Don't let days go by, thinking, "I'll talk to him tomorrow. Today I don't have time."</div>
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Like I said, I'm sure Matt is having the best time in Heaven right now. I doubt anyone can say they've seen much good come out of losing him here on Earth, but I will say this:</div>
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<strong>In my short time of knowing him, he taught me, <em>more than he ever knew,</em> about being happy and grateful and content.</strong></div>
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When I think about his attitude towards life versus the attitude I sometimes have, I feel very ashamed.</div>
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We could all do well to be more like Matt.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDZHmF_gUZlq7s4_-omm0e0UBG4SdmV5S1ShHI3apiYeiV_TlLzQRfhPKe4XmnJTZjn6z8UJfVyqkRQCzUY0p3TE245TKjs8yKGAqpMRj4cIJObVSkX1JKSYg-GJOn0IqMZOERf2lWyxd/s1600/Bullis.jpg" /></span></div>
Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315409984756640447.post-18468819767806798652017-01-09T13:05:00.000-05:002017-01-09T13:51:22.794-05:00Jesus and Wine Making <span style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 21px;">Seasons in the Vineyard 🍇</span><br />
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1) seasons of manifestation </div>
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We feel God's presence</div>
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He is seeking us </div>
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He invades our world</div>
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Ministers to your soul</div>
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2) seasons of hiddenness </div>
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We trust God's promises</div>
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He invites us to go deeper with Him</div>
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Ministers to your mind to build faith</div>
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We seek Him </div>
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<b>Winter: </b></div>
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Vineyards become silent in dormancy - season of hiddenness</div>
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A time of shaping </div>
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Energy has moved from leaves to unseen roots (you can't see the work God is doing right now, so it's frustrating because you don't feel like anything is happening)</div>
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<i>{Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."}</i></div>
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Tears / weeping bc the cutting and bleeding of the plant (the plant has to feel pain to be prepared to grow in the next season)</div>
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<i>Psalm 126:5 - "those who sow with tears will reap with joy"</i><b>❤</b></div>
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<u>Don't despise the winter; for it is preparing you for spring- for wonderful growth</u></div>
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<b>Spring: </b></div>
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Miraculous transformation in the vineyard - NEW LIFE and GROWTH!</div>
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Sap flows from vine to bud and the vine becomes a living spring </div>
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Season of spiritual manifestation and resurrection </div>
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No pruning bc the season of weeping is over </div>
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<b>Summer:</b></div>
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Early summer the plant begins to flower // mature</div>
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Heat gets higher (pressure in life)</div>
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Branches start to grow false vines or false securities bc now there's less water</div>
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Pruning must resume to get rid of the false branches</div>
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Canopy cover - God covers us with His love but trims back any leaf that blocks the heat that grows (areas in our life that may stunt our spiritual growth - gotta get rid of them!!!)</div>
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***The Father desires grapes now; not growth. </div>
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<b>Autumn:</b></div>
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<i>Harvest season</i></div>
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Green harvest occurs</div>
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Green berries turn into deep purple grapes 🍇🍇🍇</div>
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Rain & water are essential to produce grapes without blemish (we are to be holy - always striving to be like Jesus; without blemish)</div>
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Green-new life</div>
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Purple-authority </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";">Ephesians 3:20-21 - </span><span class="text Eph-3-20" id="en-NIV-29272" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now to him who is able<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29272AI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29272AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</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> to do immeasurably more than all we ask<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29272AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29272AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</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> or imagine, according to his power<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29272AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29272AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</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> that is at work within us,</span></span><span class="text Eph-3-21" id="en-NIV-29273" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>to him be glory!"</span></span></i></div>
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Community celebration -wine press</div>
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"The crush season"</div>
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The goal is a new wine - spiritual maturity, leading others to Christ, overflowing with the Spirit.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: uictfonttextstylebody;">Isaiah 53:5 "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px;">But he was pierced</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18717A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18717A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px;">for our transgressions, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">he was crushed</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18717C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18717C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">for our iniquities;</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Isa-53-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">the punishment<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18717D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18717D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> that brought us peace<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18717E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18717E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> was on him,</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-53-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and by his wounds<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18717F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18717F" title="See cross-reference F">F</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> we are healed."</span></span></i></span></div>
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In crushing season, we have to operate under a different mindset</div>
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Season of worship ❤<br />
Praising God for the work He has done in your life.</div>
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Beth B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02737649936953096422noreply@blogger.com0