tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22385326123226068502024-03-05T20:37:45.430-06:00Truly MeLaura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-56131849140855529382014-08-13T00:03:00.001-05:002023-11-01T23:00:01.548-05:008 Things To Never Say To Someone With Depression<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In writing this I realize the confession I am making. However, in lieu of this week's terrible tragedy and all of the news surrounding Robin Williams, I feel there is no time more appropriate than this. As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety, I understand the deep pit and I understand how alone one can feel, I have heard the many words that don't help, I've been asked questions that make it worse, I have heard comments that cause the pit to deepen and the anxiety levels to rise. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since learning the tragic news about Robin Williams, I have read well-meaning posts about depression by well-meaning people, but unfortunately the uneducated comments can do more harm than good. Those who have not experienced depression personally are better off sealing lips and just listening with a genuine smile. I don't say any of this to condemn or in haste at all. I just want to bring about an understanding to this disease, as well as an understanding to mental illness in general. Sadly, there has become such a stigma humans have put around mental illness that causes those who struggle to want to run the other way. Often our well-meaning words can cause others to feel more alone than ever. There isn't a magical answer. There are no specific powerful words that heal. Watch what you say and strive to just listen when given a chance. Try to be wise so your words don't make things worse...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <i>"You must not have enough faith in God, Just trust the Lord"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Struggling with depression does <u>not</u> mean someone isn't putting their faith in God. Depression has no bearing on one's relationship or lack their of, with God. Without my faith and trust in God I don't know where I would be! I thank Jesus that He IS with me in the midst of my struggles. Even yet, the pit still exists. That sinking feeling in my stomach is still there. The sadness that lurks is still in there. My brain still races 100 miles per minute. My thoughts go here, there, everywhere, and every which way in between. <b>The implication that my struggle with anxiety and depression are the result of a lack of faith in God suggests that mental health isn't a real physical issue.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <i>"You just need to think positively"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am actually a very optimistic person. I see the good in others. I strive to be a peacemaker. I like to help others see the silver lining. In regards to depression and anxiety, I am really just wired that way. It's the way my brain processes things. Similar to a healthy, organic, active person with asthma, high cholesterol, a heart condition, etc. Some people are just wired a certain way and that is just how it goes. Nothing you say will "fix" someone. The more you try, the deeper you might be digging their pit and shoving them down even further. <b>There is no magical thought I can think that will pull me from a bout with depression or anxiety</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <i>"Stay away from meds, you don't want to be on that stuff" (Go to a 'natural' Doctor</i><i>...)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Zoloft saved my life. Period.</b> It makes me feel like me. Yet, I have been ashamed to admit or tell others I was on something. Afraid of the critique of others. The humiliation that can go with needing a psych drug. I was blessed to have a doctor who told me she has been there and that there is nothing wrong with taking meds. She validated my every being and thought. She validated me as a woman, wife, and mother. She just simply understood. Often, we cannot take care of the spiritual, if we don't balance the imbalances and deal with the mental.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <i>"Suicidal people are selfish"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have not personally been suicidal or ever tried to take my own life. I have however, been so low that I begged God to just let me die though. To just take me home to heaven. And I didn't think twice about anyone else. Many that contemplate suicide seriously think the world would be fine without them, and they don't think of those who would miss them. They are not trying to be selfish at all, they are just so terribly sunk in that deep pit that they desperately just want out and sometimes that means they take their own lives. <b>When the sadness gets to that point of utter desperation it causes you to see nothing else but sadness, gloom, darkness, and dread</b>. ( <i>I also know that some meds can have the <u>uncommon</u> side effect of suicidal thoughts which is why one must be monitored closely and in constant discussion with your doctor to try and find the right medication and dose for you. )</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. <i>"Seek help, seek other people out"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Depression feels dark and shameful. When you are in the midst of depression all you want to do is sleep and sleep and sleep. Your motivation is zero. Sometimes you might have that moment that you may seek out someone if you're in a confident mode. But more times than not, in the midst of depression, comes big time insecurity. <b>One isn't always thinking about who they can talk to because they are embarrassed</b>. <b>Depression can be mortifying</b>. How about being that person who holds a hand and says 'let's talk to someone together who can help'.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. <i>"What have you got to be depressed about?"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One's life can be amazing. One may be so blessed. And know there isn't anything to be anxious or down about. But we still feel it. It's still there. Regardless. It doesn't matter the circumstance. <b>Depression can still exist in the midst of a seemingly perfect life</b>. Depression is dark and lonely. Anxiety and depression go hand in hand, as you may feel depressed for being anxious and anxious about being depressed. It's a vicious cycle that plays tricks on your mind causing an unrest like no other. Just validate my feelings, because if I could help it, I would. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. <i>"Just get over it. Come on cheer up!"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If only. <b>Lack of validation will not lead me to hope in desperation.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. <i>"You're a mess"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If more people would practice empathy and use compassion, grace and understanding I think those with depression and other mental illnesses could begin to feel comfortable to seek help or talk about it more. <b>There is this feeling of indignity, shame, & humiliation that goes with any mental illness. There's a certain negativity that causes insecurity and an even greater loneliness for those suffering. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Depression and anxiety are treatable. Mental illness is manageable. One can live a very normal, exciting, joy filled life. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chances are there are more people around you than you realize, struggling with a mental illness of some kind. Watch what you say and the disgrace you allow your words to display. Educate yourself before speaking. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Chances are unless you have been there, you will never truly understand. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Know that when a person deals with depression and anxiety, for them it's near impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be sympathetic. Be gracious. Slow to speak. Quick to listen. </span><br />
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To further educate this is a great <a href="http://bbrfoundation.org/">website</a> <a href="http://bbrfoundation.org/">http://bbrfoundation.org/</a><br />
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<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-30196276837805737932014-07-23T12:16:00.003-05:002023-11-01T22:58:42.713-05:00Letting GoI think letting go may be one of the hardest choices we have to make in our life here on earth. Letting go of loved ones; Saying goodbye and cutting bonds or ties; Lacking closure. All of which I, myself, am not good at. Especially the closure part.<br />
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Things left unsaid.<br />
Questions unanswered.<br />
One last I love you.<br />
One last hug.<br />
Rushed goodbyes.<br />
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However, sometimes letting go can be a very selfless act as well. As well as absolutely necessary.<br />
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To allow wings to fly.<br />
Blooms to blossom.<br />
Growth that otherwise maybe couldn't happen.<br />
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Selfishly, and admittedly I want another hug. I want to hear their voices. I want to hold the chubby baby boy whose mama I was blessed to be for 7 mos. I want to snuggle that sweet & sassy little girl. See her sweet dimples. Let her kiss my cheeks a million times over. Just one more time. Oh what I'd give to kiss the top of that sweet little boy's head. So sensitive. So fragile. So kind and precious. The little boy who was attached to my side for almost a year. Those little glasses. The tight curls on the top of his head. To see their smiles and hear their laughter. To reassure my little mama's boy. Just one more time...But even then, that still wouldn't be enough.<br />
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We gave them our all. We loved them as our own.<br />
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To be cut off and lack such closure.<br />
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It's hard.<br />
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Really, really hard.<br />
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But we need to let go...<br />
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Not for us. No. For them.<br />
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Being cut off is okay. For them. Because I do realize to hear our voices, to keep in touch when they don't understand could only cause harm. To not understand why they had to leave; Why they can't come home to us. It could only confuse them.<br />
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I have come to realize they need to forget us, because that is better. Not for us, but for them. So their memories can be with their parents and the family that loves them, although it seems impossible, probably even more than we ever could. They were only ours for such a time.<br />
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The memories will always be ours.<br />
The joys, the highs, the lows, the growth, the love, the strong bond, the tears, the laughter, the life we had with them for 10 months, no one can take that from us. Those are ours.<br />
The memories are our gift for letting go.<br />
A gift that we will always embrace.<br />
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And maybe someday, sometime, when the time is right, we will run into them or hear something that can just bring us the peace and closure that isn't ours yet.<br />
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Until then we must let them go. But in our hearts they will always be. On our minds, in our dreams, and forever in our prayers.<br />
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Follow up to <a href="http://laurabohmannchapman.blogspot.com/2014/05/but-they-call-me-mommy.html">But They Call Me Mommy</a>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-9608267773349499212014-05-19T10:23:00.001-05:002023-11-01T23:00:38.789-05:00But They Call Me Mommy...I have never been good at goodbyes.<br />
I don't like them.<br />
They are awkward.<br />
I never know when enough is enough or the time should be up.<br />
I really need a lot of time to say goodbye.<br />
I prefer them to be long and drawn out, rather than quick and abrupt. I need closure. (Whatever that really is) When you say goodbye to someone what should you say? I like people to know how much they mean to me or have meant to me. I want people to know that our time together is appreciated & valued. That I cherish them. That I cherish the moments. That letting go is hard. Especially when you know it's a true goodbye, not a 'see you soon' or 'see ya later', but an actual, 'I will probably never see you again (not by my choice) goodbye'.<br />
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The anticipation of a goodbye feels like a dark cloud hanging over my head.<br />
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This past week we said goodbye to 3 precious children whom we didn't have to grow to love but loved the moment we knew they would be coming. Because love is a choice. It's a decision you make. Love is an action and we chose to love these 3 adorable little ones. An action that came so natural for all of us. These kids just molded right into our home and family as if they have been a part from the start. There wasn't a real adjustment part on their end. They really just melted our hearts immediately and seemed to feel so comfortable here from the start. They called us mommy & daddy, not because we told them to (because we didn't), but because that's what they heard our older kids call us. And to them, we were mommy & daddy. We loved them as our own, treated them as our own, embraced them as our own.<br />
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Our families, friends, church & entire community embraced these kids. So naturally. Seemingly effortlessly. Our little ones had friends, family, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, teachers that have all felt the loss as we have.<br />
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How do you say goodbye to a child?<br />
How do you explain why they cannot live with you anymore while hoping they do not feel rejected by you?<br />
How can you give a child the most consistency & stability they have ever had and then just say goodbye?<br />
What do you say to the sweet little boy that says "No, I not going, I stay here, this is my house"?<br />
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I say we love you so much. We will always love you. I would love for you to stay here and be my little boy. But you have a daddy who loves you SOOOO much and he wants you so bad. And you are SO lucky you GET to live with him. And I do truly rejoice in a family reunited. A family made whole again. I know there is a bond there and I know their daddy will take good care of them.<br />
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I know I am not their mommy and that I was just "playing mommy" for only but a moment.<br />
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But they don't understand that. They call me mommy.<br />
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How do you explain that to a child so young, so impressionable, so sensitive, & so innocent that when their aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, & grandparents come for that final goodbye that 'this is it', they aren't going to see them again, this is their goodbye?<br />
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How do you say goodbye to the children you have loved as your own for the past year? How do you have a baby from day 2 of his life and say goodbye at 7 mos? When you are the only mommy he knows? When he looks for you? When you are the one whom he feels the separation anxiety from?<br />
How do you explain that this is a good thing to your older children who feel like their siblings are being taken away?<br />
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How do you not cry while your daughter plays the piano and sings a song about the siblings she loves and how she knows they love her but they were "tooken away"?<br />
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I have empathized with all parties involved this entire time. I feel for the family who couldn't be with these kids while we took care of them this past year. I can only imagine the pain and loss they felt. I have never not been sympathetic to their hearts, feelings, or emotions.<br />
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I truly do rejoice in a reunification. I mean that wholeheartedly.<br />
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But I mourn for the cheeks I cannot kiss. The tears I will no longer wipe away. The encouragement I cannot give. The laughter I will not hear. The dance parties that will no longer be. The soft kisses they give my cheeks from their little mouths. The extra noise in our house. The messes. The chaos that is no longer. The boo boos I have kissed and made better. The sicknesses I will not hold them and comfort them through. The safety I can no longer promise and ensure under my roof. The songs they sing that I have taught them. The prayers they pray that bless my heart. The I love yous out of the blue. The "let me give you a big squeeze" daddy. The relentless chasing when it is nap time. The exhaustion at the end of my day. The joy & happiness I see in their eyes. Their smiles that light up a room. Their running to me with a 'MOMMY!!!!' & a great big hug when I get home from being gone somewhere. I mourn for the abruptness of this transition and my not being able to better prepare all 6 of our kids.<br />
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I weep for the insensitivity of others. I am frustrated at the lack of compassion and understanding from some involved parties. I am saddened by the strong bonds that have been broken too abruptly by the powers that be.<br />
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Our hearts and fight has only ever been for the best interest of these children, and I am saddened when I don't feel that has truly been grasped. Time can heal our wounds. Time may be what it takes. Time can help them adjust. However, when things happen so abruptly no one is allowed that time. Especially these precious little ones.<br />
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The outcome is what it is. It has always been the goal. One that we are on board with and have always been on board with. We have understood the goal. But the lack of adequate time allowed to best prepare these children & build ties, bridges, & bonds with biological family members I am saddened by. To be seemingly cut off just hurts. <br />
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We all must move on.<br />
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We will all be okay. Our prayers will sustain us all.<br />
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We know the joy we brought to each other and we know the love that we all feel. We know the truths. We know the wonderful times we have had. We know that we have known these children better than anyone this past year. No one can ever take that away. No one can take away the good memories we have made or the impact we have forever made on one another. These children have left their footprints forever in our hearts. Their memory lives on in our homes. Their sweet, silly, yet sometimes sassy spirits will always be missed & cherished.<br />
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<i>"Memories are a key not to the past, but to the future" -Corrie Ten Boom</i><br />
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You sweet babies will <i><b>always</b></i> be in our hearts, thoughts, prayers, & memories. We would never reject you. We will always want you. We will always love you.<br />
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Follow up 7/23/14<br />
<a href="http://laurabohmannchapman.blogspot.com/2014/07/letting-go.html?spref=fb">Letting Go</a>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-48634901603146227562012-08-14T21:12:00.003-05:002023-11-01T22:59:55.549-05:00Others, but Not MeOne thing I know or have realized about myself is that I will fight to the death to defend or protect my family or a family member. I will stand up for them. I will fight, fight, fight. You don't mess with my family, oh no you don't.<br />
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If I know my family member or even a friend is wrong I will play peacemaker to the nth degree. I can play devil's advocate like no other. Yea, I do this for friends too.<br />
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I am a peacemaker. I like love and roses and everyone to just be nice and get along.<br />
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I've learned that I can help others and give others great, sound and helpful advice. But when it comes to me personally I don't always stand up for myself or fight for 'me' necessarily. I can't give myself good, sound advice like I can everyone else. I can be there for everyone else. I can always find the silver lining and the good in other's situations. I can help others in their struggles. I can bring peace amidst chaos.<br />
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I can be calm in the midst of a storm.<br />
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But when my own brain wreaks all havoc I can't help it be still. Anyone else this way? :)<br />
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<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-40343179416630652742012-07-16T13:20:00.003-05:002023-11-01T22:45:55.391-05:00God is Fair & So is His Favor<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I heard a sermon once in which the preacher made the statement that "God is not fair". The words bothered me so much immediately. I have since really struggled with that 'claim'. As it depicts God in a light that I personally feel, is so false.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since the sermon that I heard, God has shown me continuously, verse after verse, there's a reason that message has bothered me so much. I have read scriptures that say otherwise.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God IS fair.</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some definitions of 'Fair': F<span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">ree</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">bias,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">dishonesty,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">injustice:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span id="hotword" style="font-style: italic; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">fair</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">decision</span><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><i>; </i><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-style: italic; position: static;">a</span><i> </i><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-style: italic; position: static;">fair </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;"><i>judge. </i>Free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />I think about how as a parent I attempt to make things fair for my children. How it's my job as a parent to bring about that "fairness" and do things in a "just" manner. Because, Life is not fair. People are not fair. Situations are not fair. Hardships are not fair. Circumstances are not fair. There are more things on earth that are NOT fair, than fair. So it's my job to keep things in my home as fair as I can. As a parent I love my children equally. Not one more than the other. They are each so different from one another. Each with her own strengths and weaknesses. Talents & gifts. Each with her own endearing ways. I could never love one more than the other. They are each so precious in their own ways. They each brings something no one else ever could to our little family. And in my raising them, I believe in treating each one fairly, free from bias, prejudice or favoritism.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Through life & all the unfairness it brings I believe we can have peace in the fact that <b><i>we serve an incredibly fair God</i></b>. We serve a just God. <b><i>When life and all it throws at us is unfair, we can rest in knowing our God is righteous and just, good and FAIR</i></b>. Our God loves His children equally and counts us as precious in our own ways. He sees what we each bring to the table.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here take a look at the proof I found. (There are many verses that talk about God being fair and how we should be fair like him, these are only a portion.)</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Genesis 18:19 I have chosen him so that he would command his children and descendants to live the way the Lord wants them to, to live right and be<b> FAIR</b>. Then, I, the Lord will give Abraham what I promised him.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leviticus 19:15 Be <b>fair</b> in your judging, you must not show special favor to poor people or great people, but be <b>fair</b> when you judge your neighbor.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Deuteronomy 32:4 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">He is like a rock; what he does is perfect, and he is always</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">. He is a faithful God who does no wrong, who is right and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">1 Kings 9:4 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But you must serve me as your father David did; he was</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">and sincere. You must obey all I have commanded and keep my laws and rules.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Job 34:17 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Can anyone govern who hates what is right? How can you blame God who is both </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">and powerful?</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 9:8 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">and he will judge the world in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">ness; he will decide what is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">for the nations</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 9:16 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">The Lord has made himself known by his</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">decisions</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 33:5 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">He loves what is right and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">; the Lord's love fills the earth.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 89:14 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Your kingdom is built on what is right and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">. Love and truth are in all you do.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 103:6 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">The Lord does what is right and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">for all who are wronged by others.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Proverbs 21:3 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Doing what is right and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">is more important to the Lord than sacrifices.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Isaiah 30:18 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">The Lord wants to show his mercy to you. He wants to rise and comfort you. The Lord is a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">God, and everyone who waits for his help will be happy.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Jeremiah 9:24 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But if people want to brag, let them brag that they understand and know me. Let them brag that I am the Lord, and that I am kind and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">, and that I do things that are right on earth. This kind of bragging pleases me," says the Lord.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Ezekiel 18:25 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But you say, 'What the Lord does isn't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">.' Listen, people of Israel. I am</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">. It is what you do that is not</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">!</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">John 5:30 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>is just</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.</span></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>2 Thessalonians 1:6 God <b>is just</b>: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you</i></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Hebrews 6:10 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">God is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them.</span></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">I believe favor comes from God. I believe His </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Favor is fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> because</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> God is fair</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> and favor is available for all of us who love Him. Favor can be bestowed upon </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><u>all</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> of God's children. Anyone who loves God can </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>pray for favor</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> and should pray for favor. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">God rewards. God gives. God takes away. God is fair. God will be fair.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Life isn't fair. Circumstances are not fair. But <b>God is fair and we can find favor with Him</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Favor = (noun) an attitude of approval or liking </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">(verb) feel or show approval or liking</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Fact is God<i> loves</i> us all</b>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">When we strive to do what pleases the Lord we can find favor with him. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hough we all fall short, God still <i>approves</i> of us. Like when our children fall short, nothing they do or don't do could ever make us love them less. If God didn't love us, He wouldn't have sent His son to die in our place. God created each of us. We are loved even when we fall short.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Favor as a form of <i>favorite</i> would imply that God <i>has</i> favorites, which </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Romans 2:11 says </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">For God does <u><b>not</b></u> show</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>favor</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>itism</b><i>. </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Therefore, God does NOT have favorites or favor certain children. God does not bestow his favor upon only certain followers like some game of chance or by a lottery system.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">If salvation is available for all of us and Jesus died for ALL mankind wouldn't that mean we all have favor available to us? <i>Proverbs 8:35 </i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">For those who find me find life and receive</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>favor</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">from the LORD. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Are you following? Favor IS for all of us who love God.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">We shouldn't brag about our blessings or things we receive or have. To speak in a way such as to say "Favor ain't fair" is an 'in someone's face' statement which sounds like 'I am more spiritual than you or God favors me more because of this or that'. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">And <b>this isn't how God works</b>. <i>Favor IS fair</i>. We all can be blessed. <b>Anyone who loves and serves God can receive God's favor</b>. Being blessed with this or that, while the person next to us has something less at the moment doesn't mean they are less than us as a person or christian. It doesn't mean you have done something that warrants a bigger amount of favor. Someone having more money or less, a higher social standing or less, a job or a loss, a family or striving to have a family, etc. doesn't mean more or less "favor."</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">We can ALL count our blessings and should NEVER compare our blessings or favor to anyone else's.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Sure, favor can come in different forms. We don't all receive the same rewards and blessings in life. Because we're all different. We all have different talents, strengths, weaknesses, struggles, needs, wants, desires, etc. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>God is fair. So I believe His favor lines up with His fairness.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>And that favor<i> is</i> absolutely available to all of us.</b></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 5:12 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>favor</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">as with a shield.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Psalm 30:5 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">For his anger lasts only a moment, but his</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>favor</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Proverbs 3:34 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">He mocks proud mockers but shows</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>favor</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">to the humble and oppressed.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Proverbs 11:27 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Whoever seeks good finds</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b>favor</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">, but evil comes to one who searches for it.</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">I know I sound like a broken record, but I really believe this! <b>God truly is fair</b> and <b><u>anyone</u> can find favor with Him</b>! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Count your blessings. Don't compare your life to anyone else's. We have all been created as equal and are loved equally by God. Embrace your salvation. Strive to follow the example set before us and live a life of righteousness by being fair in your day to day interactions with others. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Find peace in God's ability to be fair when all else isn't.</b></span><br />
<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-78936616836586800492012-07-11T12:05:00.001-05:002012-07-11T12:29:45.783-05:00I Love SummerI am absolutely not, in no way, shape or form saying this is the right way of doing things or the only way. It just happens to be my personal way that I want to share with my readers.<br />
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I have come to view summertime as a time to rebuild my family. A time to regain focus. A time for the kids to let loose and shed off anything negative from the prior school year. A healthy break. A break from friends, a break from routine and major structure.<br />
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Summertime is a time to undo any negative behaviors. It's a time to build stronger relationships as a family.<br />
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Summertime is a party.<br />
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Summer is like one big continuous weekend!<br />
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I love summer!<br />
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Our kids are involved in NOTHING.<br />
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I don't do summer school. I don't feel the need to plan all of these activities to keep the kids busy or involved. I just want to be home. Altogether. We fly by the seat of our pants more than anything, but that is what allows us to do the fun things. Sleepovers, Chicago, Fairs, Noah's Ark, Spencer Lake, Family time, Pools, Lakes, Grandparents, Cousins, Three Bears Lodge, etc. Fun isn't a chore because our weeks are crazy with "activities".<br />
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Carter will do a week of camp. We do a VBS. And a reading program at the library. But these are all fun things that make the kids think of SUMMER!<br />
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Now, don't get me wrong. I, like every other mom, have my days that my little chatterboxes drive me bonkers with their nonstop talk and sometimes endless arguing. But I never, ever regret the way we do summer. I never wish time would fly by. I am not "ready for school to start". I never am. I don't roll my eyes about my kids being home.<br />
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About a week or two before school starts we begin our routine of earlier bed times, more structure, etc. Once school does start we are back in the swing of things like no other. But we are ready because we've valued our time together as a family! Just like during the school year, when Monday hits we are ready because our batteries have been recharged with the weekend.<br />
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I LOVE summer. I love having my kids home!<br />
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<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-5049992086147905622012-06-27T20:17:00.000-05:002012-07-16T14:45:32.376-05:00Forgiveness (Worship Wednesday)I love this song by Matthew West and this story that goes along with it. Beautiful!<br />
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It’s the hardest thing to give away<br />
And the last thing on your mind today<br />
It always goes to those that don’t deserve</div>
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It’s the opposite of how you feel<br />
When the pain they caused is just to real<br />
It takes everything you have just to say the word…</div>
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Forgiveness<br />
Forgiveness</div>
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It flies in the face of all your pride<br />
It moves away the mad inside<br />
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy<br />
Even when the jury and the judge<br />
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge<br />
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’</div>
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Forgiveness, Forgiveness<br />
Forgiveness, Forgiveness</div>
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Show me how to love the unlovable<br />
Show me how to reach the unreachable<br />
Help me now to do the impossible</div>
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Forgiveness, Forgiveness</div>
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Help me now to do the impossible<br />
Forgiveness</div>
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It’ll clear the bitterness away<br />
It can even set a prisoner free<br />
There is no end to what it’s power can do<br />
So, let it go and be amazed<br />
By what you see through eyes of grace<br />
The prisoner that it really frees is you</div>
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Forgiveness, Forgiveness<br />
Forgiveness, Forgiveness</div>
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Show me how to love the unlovable<br />
Show me how to reach the unreachable<br />
Help me now to do the impossible<br />
Forgiveness</div>
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I want to finally set it free<br />
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees<br />
Help me now to give what You gave to me<br />
Forgiveness, Forgiveness</div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-45735943139611899192012-06-22T15:47:00.001-05:002012-06-22T22:18:51.796-05:00Redeemed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Definition of "Redeemed"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">buy</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">pay</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">off;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">clear</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">payment:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">redeem</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">mortgage.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">buy</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">back,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">after</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">tax</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">sale</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">mortgage</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">foreclosure.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">recover</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">(something</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">pledged</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">mortgaged)</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">payment</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">other</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">satisfaction:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">redeem</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">pawned</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">watch.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">exchange</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">(bonds,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">trading</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">stamps,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">etc.)</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">for</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">money</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">goods.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">convert</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">(paper</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">money)</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">into</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">specie.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">discharge</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">fulfill</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">(a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">pledge,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">promise,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">etc.).</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">make</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">up</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">for;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">make</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">amends</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">for;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">offset</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">(some</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">fault, </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">shortcoming,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">etc.):</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">His</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span style="position: static;"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">bravery</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">redeemed</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">his</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">youthful</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">idleness.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">obtain</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">release</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">restoration</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">of,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">captivity,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">by </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">paying</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">ransom.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="labset" style="display: inline; font-style: normal;"><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">Theology</span> </span></span><span id="hotword" style="position: static;">. </span></span><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">deliver</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">sin</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">its</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">consequences</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">means </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">sacrifice</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">offered</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">for</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">sinner.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Exodus 15:13 </span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have <b>redeemed</b>. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Isaiah 43:1</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>redeemed</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZVZF4G3PNnB8F02oY0Irf-XD5B7zK3NBZXavrPy57iVxY5IDxnE023M1ZNQ-UBUmnd5sEA6fHU41Z4pfNz0cb-NO47BQqzxGk7wPviQAzGNXjkGbZS79dqDxzxhIBH4zdyu4rA2Up5M/s1600/redeemed-from-the-curse-of-the-law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZVZF4G3PNnB8F02oY0Irf-XD5B7zK3NBZXavrPy57iVxY5IDxnE023M1ZNQ-UBUmnd5sEA6fHU41Z4pfNz0cb-NO47BQqzxGk7wPviQAzGNXjkGbZS79dqDxzxhIBH4zdyu4rA2Up5M/s1600/redeemed-from-the-curse-of-the-law.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-56897896619815780892012-06-21T08:41:00.001-05:002014-08-17T15:14:22.288-05:00When Worry Makes Me Weary<br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #5c5438; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was so incredibly blessed by this devotional yesterday. Hope it touches you as well. I believe it pertains to so many of us.</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #5c5438; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"When Worry Makes Me Weary"</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #5c5438; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Renee Swope</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #5c5438; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)</em></div>
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As we drove home from a weekend in the mountains, I felt a heavy sense of dread and sadness. Laying my head back on my seat, I told my husband, J.J., "I don't want to go home."</div>
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After talking through my reasons with him, I realized the stress and strain of countless commitments - at home and work - were taking a toll on me. I just wanted to go back to the mountains where I could rest.</div>
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J.J. encouraged me to make a list of everything on my plate and ask God what I needed to cut back. At first I resented his suggestion. It felt like he'd just added one more thing I "needed to do." Yet I knew J.J. was right and eventually I made the list.</div>
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Then I asked God to show me where to make changes. Much to my surprise the changes I sensed Him leading me to make weren't in my schedule - <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they were in me</em>.</div>
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God didn't show me I needed to cut back at work or in ministry. He didn't show me our kids were in too many activities. He didn't lead me to take a sabbatical, although I was kind of hoping He would.</div>
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Instead, I sensed it was worry - not my workload - that was making me weary.</div>
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I thought about the months leading up to this point and realized I'd spent almost as much time thinking and worrying about deadlines as I spent working on them. Some days my concerns about commitments and meeting people's expectations had consumed me.</div>
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I had let my mind dwell on the possible outcome of several different decisions - all at the same time - and it left me depleted mentally, emotionally and physically.</div>
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Honestly though, until I stopped and talked to God about it, I didn't recognize my mental mayhem as worry.</div>
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My mind is wired to think a lot so I'd gotten used to the constant flurry of motion in my brain. Yet anxiety had crept in slowly, causing tangles in my thoughts, a tightening in my chest, and tension in my neck. Some days I couldn't stop thinking about ALL I needed to do.</div>
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Instead of going back to the mountains to rest, I sensed God wanted me to find a resting place in His presence right in the middle of my busy life. Through today's key verse from Matthew 11:28, He invited me to come to Him with the worries that were making me weary.</div>
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Do you sense Him inviting you to come to Him today?</div>
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He promises a place to quiet your thoughts in His presence. <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"</em> (Ps. 91:1-2 NIV)</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #5c5438; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He offers freedom from the captivity of your concerns when you bring them to Him:<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"'Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. And I will lead you back from captivity.'"</em> (Jeremiah 29:13-14 NIV)</div>
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Today, instead of letting our worries make us weary, let's respond to God's invitation and come to Him - asking, seeking and finding a resting place for our restless thoughts.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #5c5438; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear Lord, when my concerns consume me, help me remember You are there inviting me to come to You and talk about all I'm thinking and doing. Show me if my workload or my worries are making me weary and help me trust You with both. In Jesus' Name, Amen.</em></div>
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Here Renee gives some practical tips to help our weary souls :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RRDQXc4G_qE" width="560"></iframe></div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-26009434603060502072012-06-05T10:04:00.002-05:002012-06-05T10:08:28.465-05:00I Need a "Me Too"I have been in a sort of a funk/battle over the past month. It's been tough to say the least. But honestly, it's something I have brought on myself in many ways.<br />
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Somewhere life has gotten out of balance. Somewhere I stopped listening and hearing God's voice the way I used to. I've gotten inconsistent with being in the word. I've become distracted with life. It didn't happen over night but over the course of a couple of years I would say.<br />
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On top of that I feel like I have to be strong all of the time or else something is wrong with me. Does anyone else feel that way? I feel like I should be happy all of the time because life is good. I AM SO blessed.<br />
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If I am so blessed, which I am, why does my soul feel so down trodden?<br />
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I think that has been the hardest thing to grasp these past 5 weeks that I have been on this roller coaster.<br />
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These past 5 weeks I have felt depressed, anxious, hopeless, and confused.<br />
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My life has gotten out of balance.<br />
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I have allowed anger & bitterness to get the best of me. The anger has caused a lot of anxiety. Bitterness has caused me to focus on what has been done wrong over the years and has given those things more power than seeing the blessings in my life. I've allowed times of sadness to turn into anger, instead of crying them out.<br />
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I've held things inside and remained silent all in the name of "not wanting to gossip" or be "negative".<br />
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The thing really is that I tend to deal with things alone. For as much as I want to be vulnerable and truly me, I fear what people think. I assume that if I am not strong and full of joy continuously then something is wrong with me. But it's normal to feel. It's normal to hurt and be sad when things happen.<br />
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There's times I have been vulnerable and my words have been twisted or turned and used against me. So then I keep more inside.<br />
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Looking back on my life, when 'big things' have happened, even stemming back to my parents divorce when I was 16 years old, I have internalized my feelings & emotions. I try dealing with things on my own in my own mind rather than talk things out with trusted sources. I remember people trying to reach out to me during that time and I responded with a smile & an "I'm fine". When I was in 3rd grade a friend of mine died and I didn't even sit with my family at his funeral because I didn't want to be consoled by anyone. I just wanted to wallow alone. This habit of "I'm fine" hasn't worked well for me. So I don't really know why I do it. I don't know why I feel like needing others is weak.<br />
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It's probably a lot of pride, which I admit, is one of my biggest battles.<br />
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In my life there really has been more good than bad. But if I compare my life to many others it would 'appear' to have had more hardships & tough situations that many haven't had to ever deal with or go through. Problem in that is comparing my life to others in the first place.<br />
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So when and how did my life get so out of whack now? Even too much of a good thing can be bad. Life has gotten busy and I have consumed my mind with too many "Other" things.<br />
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I worry what people think. I feel guilty easily. I worry about others hurting others. I worry about things I can't control. And then I get anxious and my stomach gets in knots.<br />
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In this time in our lives where God is allowing a time of refreshing and rebalance I find "crap hitting the fan" in my head-internally- in my time of stillness. I've been in this place before. But that was about 15 years ago when I didn't even own a computer or have a cell phone.<br />
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So now as I get my life back in proper balance, I know I need to limit my time with social media as well, because when you are struggling and all you see in the world is how "GREAT" life appears for everyone else it's just another dagger in your funk battle. Most people only post the good and it's too easy to compare ourselves and our lives to others. Facebook and Twitter isn't reality though. Social media is filled with a lot of people pretending everything is fine.<br />
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And then there's the news and politics...Sorry friends, I just can't do it. It stresses me out and gives me anxiety about my kids' future. I've had to "hide" friends on fb who just stress me out. :)<br />
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I've had to really get back in the word. Say no to people and embrace the stillness as a time to heal and mend from life's ups & downs through the years.<br />
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Sometimes the best thing we can hear in our times of need are two powerful words... "Me Too"</div>
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I've been able to say me too to many people and I do take my battles as blessings which allow me to empathize with others. To be understanding and be a shoulder to lean on. The more you go through in life the more people you can relate to. I never want to come across as a know it all, but I do understand a lot because I've experienced a lot.</div>
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Right now, I need a shoulder. I need some "Me Too's".</div>
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To know I am not alone. To know another has been there.</div>
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I'm ready to get out of this funk. I'm ready to have joy & contentment in ALL things. But I know that a life out of balance takes time getting back on track. Even if the things we have been balancing are mostly good things. I know that "This Too Shall Pass" but it's not feeling like it will be soon enough.</div>
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<br /></div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-7093015189237692252012-05-23T11:51:00.000-05:002014-08-17T15:14:44.928-05:00Freedom From Fear<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS SERMON SERIES. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">It's excellent. Healing. Freeing. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://www.moorelife.org/listseries.php?xml=rss%2FFreeFromAllFears.xml" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.moorelife.org/listseries.php?xml=rss%2FFreeFromAllFears.xml</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Commit to listen to one a day. Don't skip. And go in order.</span>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-77768555647289429872012-05-23T09:53:00.002-05:002012-05-23T09:53:22.441-05:00Me Without You<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sTjUG986OMY" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-9107601129249018552012-05-21T13:47:00.000-05:002012-05-21T13:48:12.333-05:00Losing<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MX0cmUj4hvw" width="420"></iframe><br />
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"Oh, Father give me grace to forgive them, because I feel like the one losing"</div>
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...About 2:10 into the song is the best :)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Why do we think that hate's gonna change the heart<br />We're up in arms over wars that don't need to be fought<br />Pride wont let us lay weapons on the ground<br />We build bridges up but just to burn them down<br />We think pain is owed apologies and then it'll stop<br />Well truth be told it doesn't matter if their sorry or not<br />Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound<br />Of mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down"</span><br /><br /></span></div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-26988462464856445302012-05-16T08:52:00.000-05:002012-05-16T08:52:23.986-05:00The Proof of Your LoveIf you haven't heard this song or paid attention to the lyrics, you must! Oh, I love it! This is my prayer! That My life would be the PROOF of Jesus' love!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I sing but don't have love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I waste my breath with every song<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />If I speak with a silver tongue<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Convince a crowd but don't have love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I leave a bitter taste with every word I say<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />So let my life be the proof,<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The proof of Your love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Let my love look like You and what You're made of<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />How You lived, how You died<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Love is sacrifice<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />So let my life be the proof,<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The proof of Your love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />If I give <br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />To a needy soul but don't have love then who is poor?<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />It seems all the poverty is found in me<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />So let my life be the proof,<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The proof of Your love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Let my love look like You and what You're made of<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />How You lived, how You died<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Love is sacrifice<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Oh, let my life be the proof,<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The proof of Your love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />When it's all said and done<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />When we sing our final song<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Only love remains<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Only love remains<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Let my life be the proof,<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The proof of Your love<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Let my love look like You and what You're made of<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />How You lived, how You died<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Love is sacrifice<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />So let my life be the proof,<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The proof of Your love</span>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-73623901851245014482012-05-11T11:57:00.001-05:002014-08-17T15:14:44.931-05:00Pressing Past Pain & Living<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Living through your pain or sorrow can be an agonizing task.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This too shall pass & Life goes on cliches don't always help.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Life can be a painful, emotional roller coaster. Living can hurt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We want what we don't have and then when we have it we want what we had. We see the good when it's too late and only see the bad when we're in the midst.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How do you be content and embrace the now despite your pain, sadness, hurts or frustrations?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Don't focus on your problems or on what you don't have. <b>Do</b> focus on your blessings and what you <i><b>do</b></i> have.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Although cliche, you do have to remind yourself that "This too shall pass". <i>"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born <b>she forgets her anguish because of her joy</b> that a child is born into this world" -John 16:21 -</i>THIS too SHALL pass. You are going to come out on the other side. You are going to be okay. You will smile again. There will be joy. There is hope. There IS hope in Jesus! <i>"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain!" -Revelation 21:4 "Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning!" -Psalm 30:5</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Every moment is a teaching/learning moment for us on earth. If we don't learn to live through our pain we will never help another live through theirs. If you don't embrace your now or spend too much time wishing it away, you may one day look back with regret on this time you can't get back. Learn to embrace your now so that when faced with another trial you can put to practice what you were taught.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Allow yourself time. Take care of yourself. Let yourself feel your feelings. Don't sweep emotions under the rug. Don't let emotions control you, but don't hide them either. The sooner we allow ourselves to feel, the sooner we will heal. Feeling isn't dwelling. And don't ever heed to the advice that says "Just Get Over It". You don't just get over it. Whatever "it" is. Everything is a process. It's through the process that we learn. Nobody learns anything over night. So if we don't allow ourselves to go through the process we are only cheating ourselves from fully recovering and coming out on the other side better & stronger.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. There is value in your pain. Pain can make you defensive or pain can make you sympathetic. Pain can give you courage or pain can make you wallow. You choose how you react in the midst of your pain. You choose if you are going to "live" through your pain or "just get by". If you choose to LIVE you will be better for it. Our struggles in life create empathy. Pain can call attention to unhealthy things.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever". -Lance Armstrong ... </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 </i></span><i>There is a time <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17361A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>for everything </i><i><span class="text Eccl-3-1" style="position: relative;">and a season for every activity under the heavens:</span></i></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-05" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-2" id="en-NIV-17362" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to be born and a time to die,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-2" style="position: relative;">a time to plant and a time to uproot, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17362B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-3" id="en-NIV-17363" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to kill <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17363C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>and a time to heal,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-3" style="position: relative;">a time to tear down and a time to build,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-4" id="en-NIV-17364" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to weep and a time to laugh,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-4" style="position: relative;">a time to mourn and a time to dance,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-5" id="en-NIV-17365" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-5" style="position: relative;">a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-6" id="en-NIV-17366" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to search and a time to give up,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-6" style="position: relative;">a time to keep and a time to throw away,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-7" id="en-NIV-17367" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to tear and a time to mend,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-7" style="position: relative;">a time to be silent <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17367D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>and a time to speak,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-8" id="en-NIV-17368" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span>a time to love and a time to hate,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-8" style="position: relative;">a time for war and a time for peace.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Ups and Downs are inevitable. <i>"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! <b>I have overcome the world</b>" -John 16:33</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. Laugh!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. Go outside and enjoy the SUN!</span><br />
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<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-18183764481855649822012-05-09T09:50:00.002-05:002012-05-09T09:50:54.519-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"When you and I compare our insides to other women’s outsides, we always come out short. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">We’re comparing our struggles to their masks" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">-Jill Savage</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-74039272760516229132012-05-07T17:19:00.001-05:002012-05-07T17:20:12.622-05:00No If's by Joyce Meyer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #737373; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalTitle" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br />
<h2 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
No "Ifs"</h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #737373; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalAuthorDate" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by Joyce Meyer - posted May 07, 2012</span></span><div id="ctl00_ctl00_cpMainContent_ContentMasterBodyContentCPH_devotionalExcerpt" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #737373; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #737373; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening…nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</em> <br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />—Romans 8:38-39</div>
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To fully understand all the different facets of love, we must talk about the two kinds of love: the God-kind of love and man’s love. Man’s love fails, gives up; but God’s love does not. Man’s love is finite, comes to an end; but God’s love is infinite and eternal. Man’s love is dependent on favorable behavior and circumstances; God’s love is now. People place conditions on their love, but God’s love is unconditional.</div>
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According to God’s Word, He loved us before the world was formed, before we loved Him or believed in Him, or had ever done anything either good or evil. God does not require us to earn His love, and we must not require others to earn ours. As believers in Jesus Christ, the love we are to manifest to the world is the unconditional <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">love of God</em> flowing through us to them.</div>
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Loving people unconditionally is a very big challenge. I would be tempted to say it’s impossible, but since God tells us to do it, surely He must have a way for us to do it. Sometimes we pray to be able to love the unlovely and then do our best to avoid every unlovely person God sends our way.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #737373; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Learning to walk in love with unlovely people and learning to be patient in trials are probably the two most important tools God uses to develop our spiritual maturity. Believe it or not, difficult people in our lives help us. They sharpen and refine us for God’s use.</div>
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love Others Today: </strong>“Lord, help me to love others today without imposing ‘ifs’ or conditions. Let me remember that as I do it, I’m being refined by You.”<hr style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #737373; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
From the book <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.joycemeyer.org/ProductDetail.aspx?id=005818" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0d96ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Love Out Loud</a></em> by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.</div>
</div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-75977927210282872632012-05-07T09:45:00.003-05:002023-11-01T22:49:09.869-05:00Who or What Defines You?Have you ever been defined or "labeled" by someone or something that you felt put in a box or that you had to live up to that definition?<br />
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Or do you ever find yourself defining another by a few small experiences with them?<br />
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I have been thinking about this whole defining people thing...I know I am guilty of it. I am guilty of defining a neighbor (don't worry she doesn't read my blogs, let alone know my first or last name) by the fact that she has 5 cats and I've encountered a couple of crabby moments with her, as the "Crabby cat lady". Honestly, it's not right on my part. There is obviously more to her than that and who am I to judge her in the first place, let alone define her entire being on those 2 little things?!<br />
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I am guilty of defining others besides my neighbor. <b>While some defining words may be justified, more times than not they're premature</b>.<br />
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We have all been defined by something or someone, be it positively or negatively.<br />
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I was once defined as "crazy" in a room full of about 100 women. It actually didn't bother me. But it really bothered my best friend. It bothered her because she said "that's NOT who you are. Sure you can have fun and be wild and crazy, but you are not 'crazy' as a definition. That's like saying that's all there is to you. There's so many other things she could have said when introducing you".<br />
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Lately, I have been thinking about how we are quick to define others based on small moments with them. We allow those small moments to define their entire being. This "Crazy" situation keeps coming to my mind and I can see my best friend's point.<br />
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I still don't care or worry that "oh no people are going to think that's all there is to me" because I have a godly confidence. But what does bother me is that when I stop to think about it, when I would spend time with these women they brought out my fun side. My wild side. I had fun with them. In a moment when I thought I could be myself, I was being defined by only that.<br />
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Sometimes our seasons in life define us. Our family, be it good or bad defines us. Our friends define us. Our actions define us. What we say or do...how we look...our past...rumors...gossip...our jobs, etc.<br />
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Some definitions are honestly legit and called for. Some sell us & others short.<br />
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<b>When we find ourselves quick to 'define' another, I think we should ask ourselves "is this how I would want to be labeled?".</b><br />
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<i>Labels I am okay with:</i><br />
Jeremy's wife<br />
My kids mom<br />
Sister<br />
Friend<br />
My dad's daughter<br />
My mom's daughter<br />
and anything POSITIVE that would build my character & esteem or would rightfully summarize me as a human being<br />
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<i>Labels I am <b>not</b> okay with:</i><br />
The past or<br />
Anything that is NEGATIVE or that sells me short as a human being<br />
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Don't let another define you by anything negative. Don't let anyone define you by your past. Don't allow another imperfect human being to sell you short by wrongfully summarizing you as a person. <b>There's more to you than the world's definitions/labels</b>. GOD defines & labels us in SO many other rightful, positive, encouraging & esteeming ways! Listen to HIM and the other esteem building people in your life. And strive to BE an esteem builder for others.<br />
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<b>Never judge another until you've walked a mile in their</b> shoes </div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-26361583610497318042012-05-04T11:48:00.001-05:002012-05-04T11:48:25.719-05:00The Power of a Man's InfluenceYou may not like the beat or you may love it. (I love it) Either way this song is about the power of your influence, be it good or bad. People are watching you.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IiDOyQCCpKs" width="560"></iframe>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-4665131235224970552012-05-04T11:09:00.001-05:002012-05-04T11:09:04.763-05:00Greeting CardsThis is one of my favorite comedy shows. Kevin James just cracks me up! I've seen his Sweat the Small Stuff a few times and it never gets old!<br />
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I was talking to my bff about cards today & it reminded me of this skit.<br />
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Hope you enjoy it!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RUJrttQnDFE" width="420"></iframe>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-11798454036802931732012-05-03T13:33:00.004-05:002012-05-03T13:33:37.617-05:00A New Blogger<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my little sister Anne.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7VM2BW9m8Wr7nIn51OkiBAV0Rg07y_CMA2MUN0JHHeu-obkpAPQGrNjhscen_IG6GFrrUqWtVMJpFjDiV0aur-iyqry1VX-JyucUK5O3cRBwZ93Ua7cjuRacOaeZcgT30gEZgVftgZg/s1600/242264_10150267544380087_506010086_8834476_643132_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7VM2BW9m8Wr7nIn51OkiBAV0Rg07y_CMA2MUN0JHHeu-obkpAPQGrNjhscen_IG6GFrrUqWtVMJpFjDiV0aur-iyqry1VX-JyucUK5O3cRBwZ93Ua7cjuRacOaeZcgT30gEZgVftgZg/s320/242264_10150267544380087_506010086_8834476_643132_o.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Anne started a blog.</div>
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You should follow Anne.</div>
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<a href="http://actuallyanne.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-am-now-blogger.html?showComment=1336069253956#c1953445590080568771">Anne's Blog</a></div>
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:)</div>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-32984692670437756282012-05-02T09:19:00.002-05:002012-05-02T09:23:30.858-05:00Who & WhyA friend of mine shared <a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/2-questions-that-make-99-of-all-haters-invisible/">this</a> awesome post with me, so I am sharing it on my blog.<br />
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My favorite excerpt from it is talking about a person who doesn't know you. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When someone leaves a hateful comment on your blog or tweets about you, that’s the equivalent of someone driving by your house and yelling, “I hate your yard! Your heart must be horrible too!” You’d never listen to that person in real life. Don’t listen online.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Here is the article: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/2-questions-that-make-99-of-all-haters-invisible/">2 questions that make 99% of all haters invisible</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> By </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/about/">Jon Acuff</a></span>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-16797828289143034332012-05-02T08:31:00.000-05:002012-05-02T08:31:04.527-05:00None But Jesus (Worship Wednesday)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This has become my theme song for this week! I just love the lyrics! Hope it blesses you like it does me! Have a GREAT day everyone!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xbn5NduL0sE" width="420"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">In the quiet</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">In the stillness</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">I know that You are God</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">In the secret of Your presence</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">I know there I am restored</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">When You call i won't refuse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">Each new day again I'll choose</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">There is no one else for me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">None but Jesus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">Crucified to set me free</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">Now I live to bring Him praise</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">In the chaos in confusion</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">I know You're sovereign still</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">In the moment of my weakness</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">You give me grace to do Your will</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">When You call I won't delay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">This my song through all my days</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">All my delight is in You Lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">All of my hope</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">All of my strength</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">All my delight is in You Lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;">Forever more</span></span>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-88458413510001489772012-04-30T14:27:00.000-05:002013-04-15T22:53:24.056-05:00On EdgeThe title speaks for itself.<br />
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This is me.<br />
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The way I have been feeling.<br />
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It's really a whole bunch of things. That moment when everyone drives you insane. Every post you read makes you want to swear. The smallest situation that can set you off.<br />
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I am on edge. I hate being on edge. The following will show you just how so on edge I am...<br />
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People and their pompous, arrogant ways.<br />
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A lady at the gym I may just sock one to the next time I smile at her and she just looks at me with her ugly scowl. Yea, that's right lady, I will wipe that freaken scowl right off your pointy face. (I JUST HAVE TO SHARE THIS LITTLE UPDATE 5-1-12 The<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> lady at the gym had a very cute dress on today...So I made a point to tell her "I really like your dress". She said thanks. I said "super cute". She said thanks again. And now I am over it because she accepted my TRUE compliment which erased my on edge-ness with her) :)</span></span><br />
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Bickering, arguing, bickering, arguing...sets me off.<br />
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Some people's happiness and perfect little lives put me on edge.<br />
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People who ask too many questions set me off.<br />
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Sometimes I don't want to answer questions. Sometimes I don't want to talk about myself. Can't I just listen to you?<br />
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People who have used us, crushed us and thrown us to the wayside and then carried on with their little life sets me off.<br />
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All the fitness crap I have become so over-obsessed reading. Eat this, don't eat this, do this, do that...Try it all, yet weigh the same. That sets me off. :)<br />
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The person who would comment on this that I need to count my blessings, puts me on edge. My blessings are counted. I am still on edge.<br />
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The mom with kids who barely has to work at her hot body sets me off.<br />
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Politics and stupidity sets me off.<br />
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Messes, clutter, my dog shedding, light when I am trying to sleep makes me on edge.<br />
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People loving and adoring a person that I know is a crooked fool puts me on edge.<br />
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When I am on to someone, but no one else is...or everyone else thinks that person is a saint, puts me on edge.<br />
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The unknown keeps me on edge.<br />
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People who play unnecessary, immature games set me off.<br />
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Not being listened to.<br />
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Being misunderstood.<br />
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People who talk about stuff like they know what they are talking about but haven't a clue and then get extra opinionated keep me on edge.<br />
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Advice when I didn't ask for it puts me on edge.<br />
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'Know it all's' put me on edge.<br />
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I am overwhelmed with who knows what...and on edge. I don't like feeling this way.<br />
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What am I doing to try and help myself and change my perspective?<br />
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1. Limit what I read.<br />
In regards to the fitness stuff and news. All the don't do's and the must do's.<br />
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2. Recognize there are *certain days I must limit my time perusing facebook because that's when I read posts that annoy me the most as it pertains to certain people and places.<br />
I am also limiting what comes to my phone because some people and their tweets put me on edge.<br />
I have been quite delete & block happy lately :) It's SO liberating.<br />
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3. The doctor has ordered MORE SLEEP<br />
I am trying very, very hard. Ideally 8 hours would be fabulous, but even 7 is better than the on average 5 hrs of sleep I currently get. Plus lack of sleep makes me fat.<br />
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4. Not being afraid of calling people out on their crap. Being a little more gutsy & confident.<br />
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5. Read my bible & pray more...I have admittedly been slacking at this in the midst of the busyness of life<br />
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6. Admitting my struggle & how I am feeling is humiliating & makes me vulnerable which in turn keeps me humble.<br />
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So this post is mostly for me. When I air my stuff I feel better.<br />
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But it's also for anyone else who feels or has felt so on edge that everyone and everything drives you bonkers. Or when life just seems to keep throwing lemon after lemon at you and you just cannot bring yourself to make the lemonade or find the silver lining in any of it.<br />
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<br />Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532612322606850.post-64597542602991110732012-04-25T11:02:00.002-05:002012-04-29T19:43:47.481-05:00All This Time (Worship Wednesday)When you take the time to listen to these lyrics I trust this song will bless your socks off! This is one of my kids' favorite songs & singers!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nNcx209-vrA" width="420"></iframe>Laura Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134427922553940915noreply@blogger.com0