tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13533997069422937982024-02-21T05:32:09.132-08:00Joanie's in the GardenJoaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-1546033304273914152017-12-10T00:08:00.002-08:002017-12-10T00:08:40.046-08:00A new season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Most of us are searching for direction in this life (I am) and sometimes an answer comes in unexpected moments, but when it happens, you know something new is beginning... A challenge and an invitation crossed my path today! How will I respond?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i>"Put your hope in Me, and My unfailing Love will rest upon you. Some of My children have forgotten how to hope. They have been disappointed so many times that they don’t want to risk being let down again. So they forge ahead stoically—living mechanically. Other people put their hope in problem solving, medical treatments, the stock market, the lottery, and so on. But I challenge you to place your hope fully in Me." -Jesus Today by Sarah Young, p. 2 </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i>"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." -Psalm 33:20–22</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">"Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe."</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> —</span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=77250373863&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/?fref=mentions" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Jesus Calling by Sarah Young</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." —Psalm 23:4 </span></span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-83331724558431028582017-02-10T08:26:00.001-08:002017-02-10T08:29:19.176-08:00Psalm 112<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.swtblessings.com/2014/03/christ-is-risen.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwSl83uDvPtTFIVOeIDxdxDcg-3-J-GTs-1WZua9xNwBRV1LFnBkOtWzXGkonJt3hVaccazJKq2h16b49S4IHuRZBV_0zA2y_pf1N3ADkdy2yG55mSbq3X8xR9gfYuxy67dCo6uGohyF0/s640/Psalm+112.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>God's Word for me this morning! Praising His Name! </i></div>
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<i>I pray for ALL who are reading this post. May our amazing Lord touch your body and your life ~ blessing you with healing, provision, freedom ~ in Jesus' mighty and precious Name. May you be filled to overflowing with His love. May His Light continually pierce the darkness all around. He loves you so very much! May you know Jesus; really know Him. Let me know if I can pray for a specific need. I would be honored to pray for you.</i></div>
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<i>Blessings on your day ~ Joanie</i></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-72956237791666279502017-02-04T16:53:00.001-08:002017-02-04T17:10:23.631-08:00Remembering who I am....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Broken. Beloved. Redeemed. Blameless. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Embracing Cruciform Living.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We're all on a journey, although our paths can look very different from one another. Even spouses, families and friends can be traveling together on the same path, but have very different life experiences and outcomes, as each person travels through this life. We are all uniquely created.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We've all have stories. Some people are very happy, joyous and always smiling - life couldn't be better - while others are very sad, troubled and downcast; maybe even angry or violent. And, we've all experienced loss, pain, trauma, and wounds in this life. We receive bad news, a difficult health diagnosis, dreams that don't come true... Sometimes friends leave our lives for various reasons, sometimes we feel adrift in the "sea of life," and sometimes we wonder if this life will ever get any better. We get worn down, discouraged, defeated and, sometimes, we just want to give up... Life can be a daily battle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes, we have to fight our way into a better frame of mind to find a healing path to walk ~ despite health challenges, job loss, difficult relationships, and the broken dreams that we are facing... The first step is a new perspective; renewing our minds. My faith is my rock. I honestly don't know what I'd do with my ever-loving Father, my Savior Jesus and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. In addition to my faith, there are people who have helped impact and re-shape my "view:" <a href="http://annvoskamp.com/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp</a> and <a href="http://onethousandgifts.com/" target="_blank">One Thousand Gifts</a> - living in eucharisteo and now, combined with cruciform living in <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Broken-Way-Daring-Path-Abundant/dp/0310318580/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1486242894&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Broken Way</a>. Powerful honest, raw faith shared that impacts each of us in this hurting and broken world to open ourselves to receive His healing and restorative power. Ted Dekker's <a href="https://theforgottenway.com/welcome" target="_blank">The Forgotten Way</a>, which will blow up your faith as you've known it; enabling you to grow like never before. And, <a href="http://rachelledekker.com/home/" target="_blank">Rachelle Dekker</a>, in her first trilogy series: <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Choosing-Seer-Novel-Rachelle-Dekker/dp/1496402243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486243485&sr=8-1&keywords=The+choosing" target="_blank">The Choosing</a>, <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Calling-Seer-Novel-Rachelle-Dekker/dp/1496402278/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1496402278&pd_rd_r=MM70NQQ97XW518Z9RQMS&pd_rd_w=41RaM&pd_rd_wg=3WVaW&psc=1&refRID=MM70NQQ97XW518Z9RQMS" target="_blank">The Calling</a> and <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Returning-Seer-Novel-Rachelle-Dekker/dp/1496402294/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1496402294&pd_rd_r=44X2JCT6QZ7H88DSD1GQ&pd_rd_w=ru99v&pd_rd_wg=2YboE&psc=1&refRID=44X2JCT6QZ7H88DSD1GQ" target="_blank">The Returning</a> ~ shared with all her readers how she masterfully weaves together her stories that draw you in and cause your faith to grow in unexpected ways; to see the world around you with a new perspective. All together, these authors who love Jesus, are sharing that we must <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE</i></b></span>. We are chosen by God, His children, His heirs; here to share His love through our lives with people all around us. And He is constantly reminding us that He is ALWAYS with us; every day and in every circumstance. Yes, despite what is happening around us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For me....life has been challenging for a really long time, but more so over the past few years:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2009-2011 ~ a tough time for our family; relationships strained and lots of emotional stress. We are working, ongoing, to restore and strengthen family relationships.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012 ~ while refinancing our home in Burien, we discovered the foundation of the house was compromised, there was an underground environmental issue affecting the property, and while we could pay the mortgage, the extensive repair work would be financially devastating ~ and others advised against it. We aren't risk takers and weren't willing to invest our retirement money for the repairs, so we let our house go back to the bank and in 2013, we had to walk away from our community, our neighbors and the urban farm we loved... It was devastating and we still haven't recovered from the loss of community nor our large garden/chickens.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During this time, one of my autoimmune diseases (that I didn't know was an autoimmune disease for I would have taken a totally different path) was flared/active...took 4 years before I sought treatment again - and I'm still dealing with it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013-14 ~ rented a house in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood. Great location, but alot of mold and dampness in the house. Didn't help my health any...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014-present ~ decided to try and follow our dream to have our own little farm: permaculture based, raising organic food for ourselves and maybe a little to sell to others, chickens.... We rented a house on 1.5 acres of a 25 acre hay farm. Great location, fertile soil, amazing garden the first year (all squashes, as a local farmer said it would help break up the compacted soil and created air pathways - yes!) But, things didn't work out after the first season and the price of land in King County has risen plus (because of my health challenges), my body doesn't have the strength to garden and do the physical work that it once did. Broken dreams. At least for now... Maybe forever? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015-2106 ~ my Dad becomes very ill and passes away, October 30, 2015; followed by our sweet and dear Coco dog February 22, 2016. Dad's Celebration of Life is August 2016 and my body struggles through grief, planning and changes the whole year and just feels really worn down.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016 ~ can't imagine life without sharing it with a dog, so we look for a new puppy: first attempt: dishonest shelter manager and a dog that Blaine can't handle her personality. second attempt: matched with the wrong puppy through a breeder - our second terrible experience, although he did bless us during a difficult time while he was here with us; rehomed to the right environment for him. I have such a difficult time trusting people and neither of these people helped on that path....</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016-2017 ~ discover that a long time chronic illness is autoimmune in nature, which changes everything! Begin an autoimmune elimination diet January 1, 2017 and then, as we search for more answers, discover I have "re-activated" Epstein Barr Virus... Peeling the onion layers regarding my chronic health issues. Most tests to come. Naturopath reminds me it's a marathon and not a sprint. It's going to take time to rebuild my health.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017 ~ decide I am no longer going to be imprisoned by FEAR in my life; lifelong battle. Taking steps of faith to overcome. Find an amazing book: <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/fear-fighting-book/" target="_blank">Fear Fighting</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017 ~ Our daughter graduates from Wichita State University in May, so we've been planning a 3 week road trip (because I'm unable to fly) to the midwest to spend time celebrating with her, and her husband, and then on to Indiana to spend some time with our oldest son. With my health issues in the forefront of our lives right now, we realize we'd have to find a motorhome to rent and juggle driving and making meals each day. And, the stress of the trip may be too much for my body. We make a decision that it would be best for me to remain home and it will become a "boys trip," having my husband and youngest son fly back for a 10 day trip. I am truly excited for them, but sad that I must remain behind...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017 ~ begin a new search for a new puppy and find a wonderful, joyous litter of Golden Retriever puppies and secure the #2 pick of the females...only to discover that medical insurance is covering less and we're having to pay out more for my health needs. A decision is made to withdraw from the litter and receive our deposit back; Blaine feeling that it's not the right time for a new dog for us. Then....going to my naturopath yesterday and talking about how I'm doing right now and her telling me that she wouldn't have had me give up the puppy, as she would be positive mental health support and that the additional therapies could wait for now. She said that perhaps we could start a new puppy search.... I'm devastated and heartbroken. And, in talking to Blaine, he says that now is not the right time for a new dog in our lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017 ~ we've felt a stirring to possibly move back up toward the city; near Blaine's job in Renton. The housing market is crazy throughout the Puget Sound region and the rent prices are truly unbelievable. We found a reasonable priced house and applied for it. The owner chose us and we just had to go through the credit/background process (and we truly had no worries), but received a call that we were disqualified because we'd had a loan default on our home in 2012. So many people in the rental market, no opportunity to explain the extenuating circumstances and no opportunities to secure rental housing in the city right now.... That said, I am in a constant "tug-o-war" between returning to the city and remaining in a rural area. It is beautiful where we currently live and we are so thankful to be living here - and plan to stay for a while now - but this just felt like "one more blow" to us. Judged and convicted; no trial. Wow.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What's ahead:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">healing emotional traumas from my past plus</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> my physical body and learning to live a healthy life with chronic illness/autoimmune disease </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">"I will restore you to health and heal your wounds." Jeremiah 30:17 </span></i></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finding rest in Him ~ <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28</span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">walking through broken dreams and big disappointments with hope for better things ahead <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"Blessed is the man that perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved (or passed the test), he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12</span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spending quality time with my Father, who enables me to remember who I am and will enable my Light within to grow and shine ever brighter; knowing He is able to HEAL me completely in the blink of an eye. <span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>"....who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching." Luke 10:39 ESV </i></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spending more time in His Creation, for nature is so healing in my life. <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the works of His hands." Psalm 19:1</span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trusting that He knows exactly what I need and He will provide in His timing. He is able, more than able. <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19</span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finding a church community; engaging in the area where we are planted at this time. Thankful for online streaming of a local church we attended previously, but we all need people in our lives. <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB</span></i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And remembering again and again: </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"No disciple seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it." </span>Hebrews 12:11</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just being real and sharing where I'm really at. I don't share for others to feel bad for me/us or seeking sympathy or whatever... I share, because we're all going through stuff - grief, loss, struggles of one kind or another or many struggles. We need to be real. Some people feel like they belong - they have community, friends, neighbors and lots of people feel alone, lonely, isolated; in need of support. Some people are hopeful and others are downtrodden. I, myself, have had a really tough time lately. And, not getting a puppy was a major blow to me. The purpose I used to have in my life "appears" to be gone - growing food; working in our garden. The children are grown. Blaine's work project is high stress and super time consuming (even many weekends). We don't currently have a local church community, as my body does not do well with strong bass and loud music (which seems to be pretty common in the evangelical church these days - just an observation and not a judgement) and my chemical sensitivities make it challenging to be around people wearing perfume or those who use scented laundry soap. I spend about 90 minutes a day using a Shiatsu massager on my neck, back and legs to keep good muscle circulation happening ~ and because our insurance has blocked me for life from massage, unless I'm in a traumatic accident, so massage is always "out-of-pocket" expense for us. But then ~ good news: I'm excited about a new exercise program: <a href="https://www.getautoimmunestrong.com/" target="_blank">Get Autoimmune Strong</a> for anyone really, who has difficulty with "regular" exercise. It's a new online program and it sounds like a great fit for me and a reasonable price point too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfmyeKpx2FJ8-Tu5-Wn5k81EuVv6EaqYxdl_An_4TU0dTb8WXLHjXpaw0maaAF9sS7XTYJXyJ_SaZHE5Dq3JVVpaT45b-Fkq54k9N0zBN7I5gdv8ATr1Ycax_flcFMy6D7EYnXbUHe-JW/s1600/IMG_6618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfmyeKpx2FJ8-Tu5-Wn5k81EuVv6EaqYxdl_An_4TU0dTb8WXLHjXpaw0maaAF9sS7XTYJXyJ_SaZHE5Dq3JVVpaT45b-Fkq54k9N0zBN7I5gdv8ATr1Ycax_flcFMy6D7EYnXbUHe-JW/s400/IMG_6618.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Last fall, I found this metal tag at a local Christian bookstore. I felt like it was a love note from my Father God to me. I look at it every day, as it sits on our kitchen table with my prayer candle. It still is a love note, but I am, humanly, struggling to understand it. I am reminding myself many times throughout the day <i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE </b></span></i>(as we so quickly and easily forget) and to look for the 'gifts' in each day ~ the little song birds who have been visiting, finding early spring flowers at the store, protection of our home in the midst of a strong wind storm, organic and nutrient dense food for our meals, a smile on a stranger's face, opportunities to pray for others, and much more....even as I deal with a broken heart. </div>
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I am also reminded of <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."</i></span></div>
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And, I realize that in allowing sadness, challenging health news, and disappointment to overwhelm me, I have forgotten who I am and ALL that He is able to do in and through my life. God understands my human weakness and is patient when I am overcome with emotional grief and disappointment. In the midst of it, I am once again, encouraged. I remember who I am. I am His! And, He shows me how much He loves me and that I am loved by others too. God is good. All the time.</div>
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May our truly amazing and wonderful Lord bless you with provision, healing, hope and joy ~ in whatever way you are in need along your own journey. He is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. I may be broken. You may be broken. But, WE have a Redeemer who restores and makes all things new. Singing Your praises Lord! And, if you need prayer, PLEASE let me know and I will pray for you.</div>
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My love to you all, dear family and friends! ~ <i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Joanie</span></i></div>
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<br />Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-63966968599543922292017-02-04T10:59:00.001-08:002017-02-04T12:37:37.832-08:00Sautéed Greens!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having battled chronic illness the majority of my life ~ okay, probably my whole life and I just didn't know it.... we've made adjustments in our diet, over the years, and our latest is embracing the <a href="https://www.thepaleomom.com/start-here/the-autoimmune-protocol/" target="_blank">Autoimmune Elimination Protocol</a>, which we began January 1st, as I have 2 diagnosed autoimmune diseases and we are currently searching to find or rule out others... As I began learning more about living with autoimmune disease, I learned about <a href="http://terrywahls.com/about-the-wahls-protocol/" target="_blank">Dr. Terry Wahl and the Wahl Protocol</a> (a MD who battled progressive MS and put it in remission with a specific autoimmune paleo healing diet. Her story is healing hope!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her vegetable recommendations include 3 cups of leafy greens, 3 cups of cruciferous veggies and 3 cups of colorful veggies/fruits DAILY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While we have been eating organic, healthy food for many years now, we were not reaching anywhere close to this level. Still not there yet, but we are working up to that minimum goal! Thus, we are incorporating more greens into our diet and right now by including sautéed chard, collards and kale in the mornings with breakfast! After purchasing, (I buy 4 bunches each of chard and collards) and after processing through our salad spinner, I store them in these 12 cup containers for the week ahead; making breakfast prep easy! Skillet on medium with a Tbsp of coconut oil (or lard or duck fat) and continually turning them, as they cook down until reaching desired finished product - we like ours a little crispy. Throw in some crumbled bacon or cracklings, if desired! I crave sautéed greens now. Addicting!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Autoimmune" means your immune system got its function message mixed up and now thinks healthy tissue, organs, etc - depending on your disease - are foreign invaders and the immune system attacks it and causes disease to happen - no cure, but you can work to heal your body and put the disease in remission or others choose pharmaceutical meds to suppress the immune system and hope to stop the disease's progression.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOid651Pfc8LvIBNGFM4n1n8AIYv1-1TTny5xK887TRF-XdABxQXrq-dIfUk8slHDtI9I4SGpd_SBRH-RqogcvKJqYxrVE3zjqJ_be5KuH-U54msDZDFGBYrtiOjAulLxVc07C7DzhHB6k/s1600/IMG_6619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOid651Pfc8LvIBNGFM4n1n8AIYv1-1TTny5xK887TRF-XdABxQXrq-dIfUk8slHDtI9I4SGpd_SBRH-RqogcvKJqYxrVE3zjqJ_be5KuH-U54msDZDFGBYrtiOjAulLxVc07C7DzhHB6k/s640/IMG_6619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/ZYLISS-Salad-Spinner-Large-Green/dp/B0199SXJ60/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1486232982&sr=8-3&keywords=zyliss%2Bsalad%2Bspinner&th=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQUm0KZ_Q2rBg1OiIFtM2cVNhsydx6YajZWR18ow8oL-T4JT3VFyI90CCQqPsWQsxDa41ywZQ9NpFQgoY5OjI5kkwDYmwvQPmE8HIQh5I4kSBAWz9FNYqeiZegT3Fdv_6YEY_T2DGpplx/s400/IMG_6620.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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We love our Zyliss salad spinner, that we purchased locally, but the newer version can be found on Amazon too (click on the photo)</div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-26634205713467721402017-01-09T09:14:00.000-08:002017-01-09T09:39:41.753-08:00Flooded with His love and healing!<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Several new posts here, as I let go of my fear and invite God into the hurting places in my heart and my life and receive His healing love! Overwhelmed by the LOVE He is showing me and ongoing encouragement for my journey. He's available for you too!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><a href="http://www.faithgateway.com/god-wants-sad?utm_source=fgwomen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=fgwomen20170109#.WHPKhbGZOi4" target="_blank">God wants our sad.</a> Click on the link for a great read! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Click on the post below and invite Him into your brokenness and welcome healing...</i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="546" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAnnVoskamp%2Fposts%2F1439635619381941&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ypB9_pG31VU" width="480"></iframe>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-48299912458985054912017-01-09T08:44:00.000-08:002017-01-09T08:49:02.048-08:00His provision in every situation<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When God meets you in the midst of what's happening in your life, it is so powerful and so HEALING!!! Rejoicing and giving thanks and singing praises to His wonderful Name!!!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">Click on the post below to listen in and be </span><span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;">encouraged</span><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"> to find HOPE!</span></span></i><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="559" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdeeperlifeinchrist%2Fposts%2F10154339469878261&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-66006049822738619032017-01-09T06:36:00.000-08:002017-01-09T06:37:46.171-08:00Morning encouragement<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am so thankful for the family of God in this world, and especially those who have the gift of encouragement. I am always in awe of how "on point" their messages are for what I'm going through in life. I know it's a divine blessing for my journey... and for yours. Have a blessed day! You are so loved.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><i>Click on any of these photos/posts and they will take you to the post on Facebook.</i></span><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="556" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdeeperlifeinchrist%2Fposts%2F10154339279663261%3A0&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="518" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAnnVoskamp%2Fposts%2F1439488532729983%3A0&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="373" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D1416003338443849%26id%3D143510882359774%26substory_index%3D0&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-1571281210572685282017-01-08T19:46:00.005-08:002017-01-09T08:51:46.796-08:00A really bad, terrible, awful, horrible day...<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FEAR:</span> There are those who are strong and appear fearless and those whom we consider weak, because they are "afraid" of everything, it seems ~ people, the dark, heights, spiders, etc.... Fear imprisons people. Fear causes people to avoid certain activities. Fear can kill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For as long as I can remember, FEAR has been an issue in my life. I have been afraid and fearful of many things:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of heights</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of failure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of illness</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of snakes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of the dark</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of other people</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of being rejected</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of being abandoned</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of what others think of me</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of people discovering who I really was...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of being the victim of a crime or a violent act</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear of my Dad (he was a strict disciplinarian and had a terrifying, loud voice when he was angry. He demanded respect. - </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">please know I am not judging my Dad. It was who he was - he had his own life story. I loved my Dad deeply and miss him every day since his passing. He made me laugh. He brought a measure of happiness into my life. I know, now, how much he loved me. We were connected at a deep place inside of each of us...)</i></li>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Without knowing it, FEAR had grown into a huge wave that washed over my whole life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FEAR has been an overwhelming factor in my life that has held me back from engaging in life more fully. FEAR is debilitating! FEAR caused me to be an overprotective mother of our children. Because of my own fears and be overly worried that something bad might happen to them or someone else might hurt them, I tried to shelter and protect them from a world that I believed was a bad place filled with bad people I couldn't trust. It was, and often, still is. I would do everything I could to keep them safe... Not that this was a healthy or appropriate mindset. It's not! And, there have been events in our family that have caused great personal pain to me (and others), because of how I experienced life controlled by fear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was a sick child and spent alot of time at the doctor's office or at different clinics...seeking healing for this or that. I had pneumonia at 3 months of age. While some children are strong and resilient, I feared doctors, the more I had to see them ~ because to me, they never really made me better. And then, when you develop chronic illness and doctors begin to tell you: "You're depressed and just need to be on an anti-depressant," "It's all in your head," "I don't know what's wrong with you, but let's try this medicine," "I don't know what's wrong with you, it's all psychological - you need help - and I think it would be better for you to find a new doctor." There is likely some truth to all of this, but it never made me feel like I was a person of value or worth...and it just made things worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, FEAR grew. Always looking over my shoulder. Always wondering if I would ever get well again. Wondering if I would live long enough to see our children grow up. FEAR that I had ruined our children's lives, because they had to grow up with a Mom who was sick and couldn't get well and it caused our life to keep changing and made us different than other people. Deciding to give up this activity or that activity to deal with my broken body and FEAR increased. Worrying about getting sick or hurt in an accident, because my body wouldn't tolerate pharmaceutical medicine. Then what? And, as time went by, the world became more and more toxic to my body, and continued to weaken and break down... And, FEAR grew!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How can this all be happening, when I am a Christian and I have accepted Jesus as my Savior? Doesn't the Bible talk about FEAR? It does, but I could not overcome it. As some would say, "You don't have enough faith." And so, I continually questioned myself even though I knew these words:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn't know how to embrace these words, the Truth of them, and to allow God to make it a reality in my own life. I felt like a failure. My husband and I have prayed for many years for healing in my body and for healing of a specific health issue that I battled again and again. Yes, healing would come in different ways, but what I needed seemed continually just out of reach. And, spiritual warfare has been an ongoing issue in my faith journey and I battled on, the best I could. Always trying to find a way to freedom...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2013, after walking away from our home we owned, the loss of our home (my safe place), our neighborhood and community overwhelmed me (and I still struggle). And then, my Dad's health declined and he passed away in October, 2015. Our dearest, sweet Coco dog followed in February, 2016, and my world just spun out-of-control. I couldn't get my feet back under me properly and my health struggled and I was truly fearful my health would just continually decline... Finally, in desperation, I sought out a new, specialty practice, naturopath to try and find healing for an ongoing health struggle (mid 2016). Originally diagnosed with the condition in 1993, I was told there was no "cure" - just a hope to reduce the symptoms (and not to eat fruits high in citric acid) - but this naturopath told me it is actually an autoimmune disease and not only was it making my body quite ill, but there is a path to healing... It was overwhelming and alot to wrap our heads around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We began the Autoimmune Protocol elimination diet (way of eating, not a weight loss diet) on January 1, 2017. My body is weak, aching, and I am exhausted. January is never a good month for my body; living with chronic illness. A low point every year with not alot of sunshine and many damp, chilly days. BUT this year, Blaine and I have a new hope; a new path toward healing and we've fully embraced it. We decided I would remove everything from my calendar for this month to rest and adjust to the new diet. There is very specific food for us to eat and the menu is planned out for the first 4 weeks. We're following it exactly (except no onions or lemon/lemon juice for me - we're substituting organic cranberry juice with no sugar added). There is ALOT more cooking and food preparation involved, but Blaine is willing to take it on - plus working - and have me help, as I can. The one challenge ~ we live an hour away from the natural food store where we purchase our groceries. Okay - I've been doing the grocery shopping and I believed I could do it as my one activity per week. I would shop on Fridays, so we can batch cook on Saturdays for the next week. So, Friday arrived and Blaine determined that he would go with me for this shopping trip, but neither he or I were feeling too well. Although we didn't feel so great, we headed up to the city. I felt a bit on edge, but worked on remaining focused. And then, on Hwy 599, we were just behind a nasty accident that happened moments before... I'm shaken, but we continue on. A short distance up the road, Blaine comments on wondering where he put the cookbook and shopping list in the car. He can't find it. NO!!!!! It has to be here. Don't tell me it's not here. We've driven all this way. It has to be in the car. My stress level rises. By the time I can pull over for him to look throughout the car, my stress level has reached near panic stage. We are now 45 minutes from home, I don't have alot of energy, I'm stressed and...the cookbook is nowhere to be found (which isn't a huge deal), but he wanted the shopping list to be in the book and not in my purse where I normally keep it - which means it's at home and not with us. Stress overload for someone whose body is quite ill right now. And, we've learned anxiety and panic attacks are common when someone is experiencing an autoimmune flare, which I am right now. The reality: we have to return home. As we begin to head south, I am overwhelmed and go into a full panic. I can't do this! I don't have the strength for this! The car accident rattled me! Why is this happening? I feel like I can't trust you and I need to trust you. He feels horrible. He's trying to hold it together, because he knows I'm in a panic. I pull over, because I'm so stressed out. We had a certain time window to do the grocery shopping in order to return home for lunch (we can't eat out right now). There is no way for me to drive home and Blaine takes over driving home. My stress is now out-of-control and I'm sobbing. (This is illness and exhaustion crying out.) And, then, we almost get side swiped. More stress! Please God, help us! A little further down the road, we almost get side swiped on the freeway. I lose it. I really lose it! Completely freaking out, cries arise to the surface from deep, deep inside of me (which I've only experienced twice before ~ once when we thought we'd lost one of our children from our lives and after my Dad died. I later realizing this cry came from releasing the overwhelming emotion of embracing my diagnosis and the new life ahead of us). Still a long drive ahead of us and I'm completely panicked. Crying and sobbing. Blaine feeling helpless and knowing he has to focus on driving to get us home safely. Feeling my body get weaker and weaker.... I slump over. I can't do this anymore. I hate my life, I scream out! And, because we've experienced spiritual warfare before, I know part of this is the enemy of my soul trying to destroy me.... (and yet, I run the gamut of questions ~ I'm not important, so why are you bothering me? What is it about me that irritates you so much that you desire to destroy me?) I begin yelling Jesus' name. Please help me. And somewhere deep inside me, I hear "sing praise." And, I see a vision of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016%3A16-40" target="_blank">Paul and Silas in their prison cell, singing praise to God</a> and, again, I'm encouraged to sing praises to God. So weak I could barely hold up my head, I forced myself to softly begin singing. The more I sang, the stronger my voice got. I began to feel the darkness, the weakness and the pain in my body grow lighter and fade away. The feeling returns to my arms. By the time we arrived home, I felt back to normal again - although exhausted. Upon arriving, Blaine broke down and we felt God doing a new work in our life; setting us free from something that imprisoned us. Blaine tells me he's never heard my voice sound so beautiful in singing praise to God before. And for the first time, we are drawn closer together and a deeper love for each other grows, as does our love for our amazing Lord! We have experienced the power of God in our lives doing a great work overcoming my FEAR. His LOVE is victorious! In a very short span of time, I went from total darkness to experiencing freedom. He's available for you too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, after we ate lunch, we both had the strength to drive back up to Seattle to get our grocery shopping done (Thank You, Jesus!) and God sustained us throughout our time and back home again. The stress did take a toll on my body and my muscles and joints are extremely painful this weekend, and I know I need to keep my stress level down to enable my body to heal, BUT I/we experienced God's loving hand upon our lives, I know He is with me and that FEAR does not have the power to destroy me for Jesus has already been victorious and has truly set me free. Now, this doesn't mean I will never experience fear again, but I know I can run to Him who is able strengthen me in the midst of it and will protect me, for He has overcome it. This weekend, the words below have gained new meaning for me. As I learn to let go of FEAR and embrace Jesus, His peace will grow. Yes, troubles and trials will happen in this life, but in Jesus we have peace for He overcame this world. HOPE!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.4px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 19.200000762939453px;">These things I have spoken to you, so that </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26760A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 19.200000762939453px;">in Me you may have peace. </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26760B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 19.200000762939453px;">In the world you have tribulation<i> (trouble, trials)</i>, but </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26760C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 19.200000762939453px;">take courage; </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26760D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26760D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 19.200000762939453px;">I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">I share this story, not to freak anyone out, but it's a first step to free myself from my FEAR PRISON and to let others know that many people suffer behind closed doors or in ways that others cannot see their struggles or the battles they desperately try to overcome, but can't seem to. I share, because we've managed to keep this hidden even from our own children - though not to the benefit of our family, but for my own self-protection. I don't want our children to ever feel imprisoned, as I have nor as my husband has (and I am continually amazed he is still here and how unconditionally he loves me), but for us all to be free to embrace healing. Many people think I'm so positive and so strong - that I don't need others, because I have Jesus and my faith is everything. But, I'm just as weak as everyone else. I often believe I'm the weakest person in my life. Why would God want to use me for anything? He keeps reminding me that He loves me and He created me for a purpose in this life. My faith is my strength that sustains me. Jesus is my answer, even as I struggle humanly to overcome the battles in my life! His love never fails me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I pray you, the reader, are FREE from FEAR. And, if you're not, that you're able to find hope in Jesus and a practitioner that can help you on your journey. I pray you find the courage and the strength to let others know you struggle with FEAR. I should have done so, very long ago...., but TODAY is a new day! I am thankful I have a Redeemer, who is able to heal and restore my life. And, the beginning of BRAVE!!!</i></span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">Blessings for good health and healing to you!</i></span></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="575" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAnnVoskamp%2Fposts%2F1438991126113057%3A0&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-60014908503104516692017-01-05T10:44:00.003-08:002017-01-05T10:53:53.965-08:00Steps of Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday, I took a scary and fear-filled step, for me, in my autoimmune journey, and shared specifics about my illness with our children and my Mom. It's alot of information to take in and as overwhelming as it was for me to write, I know it's overwhelming for each of them to read... I was tempted to quit numerous times throughout the day and not send anything to them. I could keep things to myself, as I always have. BUT, I knew that Jesus did not want me to stay trapped in my self-imposed prison regarding my health any longer, nor for my husband to be either. SO, I took that scary step of faith, trusted Him, shared alot of words and a very long chronic health journey, the new revelation that I have autoimmune diseases, the reality of what's going on in my body and I let go! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who knew I would experience a really heavy weight lifted from my shoulders? I don't have to hide any more. I don't have to pretend I feel fine. Goodbye fear. I can be the real me, focus on healing my body and live a new life. Starting today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, blown away by these divine encouragements that greeted me this morning. I rejoiced. I gave thanks the Lord is with me and He is encouraging me in the first day of this new beginning of the rest of my life! I am so incredibly blessed and have a full heart of gratitude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pray each of you find the answer for your path to Hope, Healing and Wholeness. Jesus is still mine.</span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-72335519345053545162016-12-29T14:41:00.001-08:002016-12-31T17:38:37.849-08:00The real deal: LIFEIt's been so long since I've sat down and considered pulling my thoughts together... Many days, it's a huge chore to get my brain to focus. It's extremely frustrating to deal with, but as the New Year approaches, I have decided my time, energy and focus must be on healing my body and mind and my "old blog" is a great place for me to write down my journey; to collect my thoughts and keep a record of how I progress. This is the real deal: LIFE. It's not how I would have chosen to write my story, but it is my story... My prayer and my hope is, if only one person is helped along the way, then it will be worth sharing.<br />
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While I have struggled with my health since 3 months of age, for nearly 10 years now, life has been a real struggle for me. Challenging life stuff happened: broken relationships, various stresses, health challenges - alot of health challenges, loss of our home, neighborhood and community, dreams falling apart, and especially difficult this past year ~ my Dad's passing (October 30, 2015) and then my best friend, Coco's passing on February 22, 2016. My heartache is still so overwhelming. I have never known grief at this level and I am still struggling to embrace it and learn how to function with it. My Dad and I may have had a difficult relationship in this life, but we were connected on a much deeper level and his passing has left a gaping hole in my heart and my life. And, with all my health challenges, I have learned that my amazing Coco dog was a life-giving/supporting companion to me and her loss has left me with a missing piece of my daily foundation and my ability to function well each day. Blaine and I have adopted two different puppies this year, only to have to re-home both of them (one did not have the breed genetics we thought and completely stressed Blaine out with her behavior and our second dog did not want to be a companion dog, but a dog's dog and live with others dogs and do his own thing). It's been heartbreaking, all over again. When we have the financial means again in the next year, we so hope to find a new dog to not only be my companion, but also to be a great fit for Blaine and my life together. I have told myself, almost daily, that I don't need a dog to function in my life, but it has become obvious to both Blaine and I, that I really do. And, it's time to embrace who I am and what I need (what my body needs) to be successful in this life, so I can fully live. Our search for a new dog companion continues. Trusting God to provide just what I/we need, at just the right time. Though honestly, I wish it was today. Or yesterday. <br />
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With the revelation of all this and in trying to find a way forward, I brought a second naturopath onto my healthcare team, a few months ago, and discovered I have multiple autoimmune diseases. (I will share more about that in the coming weeks and months.) While it has been overwhelming to take it all in, Blaine and I are very thankful to have a specific path to walk ahead of us and these past 20+ years of not knowing what was happening with my health, finally some answers come to us. We are still searching for the "root cause" of my autoimmune issues, but we are so grateful we have some defined plus a NEW WAY of living ahead as we welcome 2017! Will begin searching for a Functional Medicine practitioner (preferably one that takes our insurance, but most are cash only - because they are not pharmaceutical focused as insurance companies desire they be ~ and they spend time with their patients to really figure out what is happening - drugs and short appointments are the insurance way). That said, at almost age 52, we're believing this will be a year of HEALING!!!<br />
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A HEART OF GRATITUDE: I am thankful for other autoimmune sufferers who have gone before me and have paved the way to help others, often causing setbacks in their own health, for a season, as they create resources to help others find a path to healing and live fully. Blaine and I are entering this new season together and give much praise for two amazing women at <a href="http://autoimmune-paleo.com/" target="_blank">Autoimmune Paleo</a> for their willingness to share their journey and provide resources and information to others. This is where our journey begins! It's a BIG learning curve, but we will take it step-by-step. We have 30-90 days of a very restrictive diet and hope to heal our guts, so our immune systems will be healthy ~ allowing healing in our bodies to occur. </div>
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If you are a fellow autoimmune sufferer (and autoimmune disease/illness numbers grow by leaps and bounds daily), please consider reading The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook below (click on photo for link).</div>
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<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Autoimmune-Wellness-Handbook-Chronic-Illness/dp/1623367298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483234680&sr=8-1&keywords=the+autoimmune+wellness+handbook" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMlDQXBgpK4iHWAI0onOdGILXOtPe_NzLAlW1Tx2lAzkEjg2zUKkHGFq3OWDsFE4StEnqKOBvNj3bzECpIuyqyYWmw7uVmQQYFr8rKyQplgJH5NP3uOXenbu3xk5ZRRrGFJ_MAuxYPGFN/s320/61TE2OH2f3L._SX409_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Autoimmune-Paleo-Cookbook-Allergen-Free-Approach/dp/0578135213/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483048017&sr=8-2&keywords=autoimmune+wellness+handbook" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0lZR9FapGB4fgikGbTgn2S14CCLYAt9p0AqFTDmgGSJPLa5HnuSB1cUAQWl-qS18e5uKk_cJMWzEqs-S2n-WMp5VXASxgjWMvcQU0QQFMSpPu77Qq1pQu92nrmd6W9SndKyzTUE8yy7u/s320/61Je93fMSkL._SX442_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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Our prayer is that we all receive the gift of HOPE, embrace new beginnings and receive HEALING in 2017! </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">Abundant blessings of great joy and healthy living to you and yours ~ Joanie</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></i></span></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-63055831675746398352015-09-27T13:53:00.002-07:002015-09-27T13:59:38.690-07:00Invited to refocus my journey....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text 2Thess-3-1" id="en-TLB-26695" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">"Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the end of this letter, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts everywhere as it did when it came to you. </span><span class="text 2Thess-3-2" id="en-TLB-26696" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">Pray, too, that we will be saved out of the clutches of evil men, for not everyone loves the Lord. </span><span class="text 2Thess-3-3" id="en-TLB-26697" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14.4px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>But the Lord is faithful; He will make you strong and guard you from satanic attacks of every kind. </span><span class="text 2Thess-3-4" id="en-TLB-26698" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">And we trust the Lord that you are putting into practice the things we taught you, and that you always will.</span><span class="text 2Thess-3-5" id="en-TLB-26699" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14.4px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ." </span></i></span><i style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="text 2Thess-3-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (The Living Bible)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">In God's amazing loving kindness, He compassionately reached out to me over the past few weeks - and, especially this past week - to gently share with me that while I've been doing "good" for many months, was that good GOD or just earthly good? Whoa.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">So now, I've begun letting go of things outside of home and I'm spending more time in prayer. This morning, I awoke at the end of a vivid dream and felt I should record it, for it was so powerful. Upon finding an empty journal in the office (digging it out of a box of my things that have been packed away since we moved from our Burien house and catching the large spider in the box and releasing her outside), I was lead to the scripture above. This passage contains so much content, wisdom and guidance. God's Word is so amazingly living and active! Rejoicing and giving thanks that God has spoken specifically to me. I will continue to spend focused time with God in the coming days, weeks and months that He may fully reveal His wisdom, His path and His will for my life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">Autumn has arrived and as this year's garden season winds down, I am overwhelmed with excitement to receive this incredible invitation from our precious Lord to come and sit with Him, grab a cup of hot tea, curl up on the couch, and BE with Him in the season ahead as He and I converse together, search His Word and sometimes just sit quietly with each other. He's got exciting, amazing, wonderful, adventurous, life-giving lessons to teach me. And, I praise Him afresh for I am eager to learn... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><i>Here I am, Lord, teach me. I need Your Truth, Love and Grace anew. I have much to learn still on this journey here on earth. I need to be equipped for this season and all the seasons ahead. I need to be equipped to do the work that You have for me to do, Lord. I need to be ready to love those You want me to love. To be ready to share my life with those You want me to share with. To be ready to receive what you will have others give to me. To be sensitive to Your leading. To bloom wherever You plant me... In Jesus' precious Name ~ Amen</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">And, as I am embarking on this journey with our amazing Lord, I'd like to invite you, dear reader, to ask God if He is extending a similar invitation to you this season. Or perhaps He already has. You will be so blessed in accepting and joining Him for the adventure that awaits you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">May the Lord bless you and keep you and provide for your every need! </span></span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-56191172354421331492015-04-08T14:42:00.003-07:002017-12-05T13:12:39.259-08:00Lent journey: GO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHXDk00n0t1wo7QuTkP9oEQOH4_iRwvBVueOWyMLW39DbFHIoQ-DSlgZXjc5VTJXJq29KYfQv9yaICH_iOx1BRj_OsLTaUtSbUrjECCQFgD3qbzrmIQS4NwjcedzJJSZkiaJ9IbE5tQ0z/s1600/2011+garden+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHXDk00n0t1wo7QuTkP9oEQOH4_iRwvBVueOWyMLW39DbFHIoQ-DSlgZXjc5VTJXJq29KYfQv9yaICH_iOx1BRj_OsLTaUtSbUrjECCQFgD3qbzrmIQS4NwjcedzJJSZkiaJ9IbE5tQ0z/s1600/2011+garden+024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">God</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"> made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which we are working.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><i>I Corinthians 3:5-9 (The Message)</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">Personal reflections: Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19 tell us to GO into the world... God has work for us to do. This will look different for all of us. Maybe you will be the next generation of a family doing what the family has always done (ie. farming) or maybe you will get married and raise your children in the same community you grew up in and your children will attend the same elementary, junior high and high school as their parents or maybe you will be one of our brave and honorable military men and women (with the possibility of sacrificing your life for our continued freedom), maybe you'll become a pastor or a priest and will devote your whole life to serving God or maybe you'll become a missionary and take God's Word to those who haven't heard it or maybe, like me, God will ask you to live a nomadic life; going to the place He shows you to go.... We all have places in the world God wants us to GO to. He has given each of us specific gifts and talents and if we allow Him, He will work in and through our lives blessing and loving people as we journey on this earth, for God first loved us - enabling us to love others around us. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">For me, it's easy to fall into old patterns - I'm the one doing the work, the one who wants to belong to a community of people and the one who wants to be "rooted" to a piece of land for the rest of my life - Me! There is the problem. BUT today, I am one who is awaking from what feels like a long slumber.....and seeing God as my focus, once again. God has shown me through this Lenten photographic journey for 2015, He is fanning the embers back into a flame within my spirit and He has work for me to do. Instead of focusing on what I want, He is showing me, again, that He desires to work through me to reach others - with Truth and Love; to be a vessel for His blessings to flow through. I know there will be days when I get tripped up again (and again and likely again), but my hope and prayer is that my eyes, my heart, and my soul will be fully tuned into what God desires. May He be my daily priority. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">I am giving thanks, anew, today for the blessing of this place that we currently live in, for this community of beautiful people, for the opportunity to have a garden and to learn and grow continually.... May I serve You well here, Lord, and be blessed to bless others.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">God is so very good and I am blessed more than I could ask or imagine. Joy overflowing! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">Thank you, Lord, for loving me, healing me and blessing me to be Your servant. Thank you for new eyes to see you more clearly. I am indeed blessed to be Your child and honored to do Your </span><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;">work. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px;"><br /></span></span></span>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-29149204452378827472015-04-08T14:00:00.003-07:002015-04-08T14:00:40.374-07:00Lent journey: REFUGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReCMtettbk8_KetL_3LPh3uAx9wl9bsKbWC_MFdkVhH9QQiub8fpD5vp_rki0g8gJh_zpwgfn9mbkJdkkvxifKfutbUmAz2wGgQD2XTG9BttWWb7L6c1H1ITCRJY4B2uMyAiN-ukdUHkn/s1600/07022dfa95ebf9516c0d1e832eb9d6ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReCMtettbk8_KetL_3LPh3uAx9wl9bsKbWC_MFdkVhH9QQiub8fpD5vp_rki0g8gJh_zpwgfn9mbkJdkkvxifKfutbUmAz2wGgQD2XTG9BttWWb7L6c1H1ITCRJY4B2uMyAiN-ukdUHkn/s1600/07022dfa95ebf9516c0d1e832eb9d6ee.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings, you will find refuge; </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflections: When looking around in nature; observing, I see God's Word come alive more and more through His Creation. Examples abound for us all to see. There is something so endearing, so loving and comforting; a story told through this picture that makes me desire the same type of experience.....and this verse expresses God's invitation/promise for those who make Him their dwelling place; His love for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Psalm 91 is a psalm that Blaine and I pray; a psalm of protection in this world. I can imagine massive angel-like wings that our Heavenly Father opens for His children to run under where we are safe and secure in His refuge. And yet, those "wings" can wrap around just me in a way that I know and feel God's love, specifically for me, and I am safe in His loving arms. Such great comfort in knowing this about my Heavenly Father! Oh, how I love Him. And I know, He loves me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I encourage to read <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+91&version=NIV" target="_blank">Psalm 91</a> for yourself and hear what the Lord tells us all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The photo below is artwork created for Psalm 91 and is available from an artist through etsy.com. The picture is a link to that particular etsy shop - you can click on it. (I don't know the artist, but thought this was an interesting display of most of this psalm - and it can be personalized for a specific person too).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Praying we all live the reality of who God is. Blessings to you and yours. May you allow God to work through your life to bless others, even today.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167471110/scripture-chalkboard-art-psalm-919-16?ref=shop_home_active_2&ga_search_query=psalm91" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bruVNqz0oadMxSA0MQfshoC6ewx4ma6q05LWdc2WdgskUdtihPvKaWL1B_zNhyKM8_kMgGafvu5q9wp752v6j77d-hINi1Gk3QzGlpbpZ-y-aQTJkx60PS4LFrecZWNYXW0SwMIkodnP/s1600/il_570xN.519237592_jmlx.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-57425142110245749292015-04-08T13:00:00.001-07:002015-04-08T13:00:11.811-07:00Lent journey: PROSPER<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then the Lord Your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as He delighted in your fathers, if you obey the Lord your God and keep His commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 30:9-10</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflections: Powerful words.... A powerful promise! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you read the words above, it's pretty simple. Really, it is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If it's simple, why is it so difficult for me to live these words out when I know what blessing God will bring to my life in doing so? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All I've got to do is.......... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Turn to the Lord Your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul." </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why can't I just do this? Why do I struggle and fall short of doing what the Lord asks of me? How do I live on the earth daily, but commit ALL of my heart and my soul to the Lord? Plenty of people appear to be able to do this, but............</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The good news is the Lord knows my struggles. He knows my weaknesses. He knows my heart. He knows every fiber of my being and He loves me. Oh, how He loves me. And, in the course of this messy life I live, He does bless the work of my hands and all the rest in the verses above - but there is still heartache, loss, disappointment at times; even when it seems these things are stronger than joy, victory and prosperity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lately though, God is revealing to me that what may need adjustment in my life is my VISION; how I'm looking at my life, my journey and the world around me. Perhaps I'm seeing a blurrier view of my life and journey and it's clear to God. Maybe I'm focusing on certain things (negatives) instead of the others that are there too (positives). So thankful a blog friend of mine stopped by to visit my blog today and left good words to chew on in my <a href="http://joaniesinthegarden.blogspot.com/2015/04/lent-journey-breath.html" target="_blank">BREATH</a> post. Cleaning my glasses and removing the veil in front of my eyes may be just what I needed, as I continue to turn to the Lord my God with ALL my heart and with ALL my soul. I am likely to see something very different indeed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessings to you, dear reader... May you know the joy of the Lord, who is your strength.</span><br />
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-7818682306351651152015-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:002015-04-02T08:48:05.965-07:00Lent journey: BREATH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, I Am sending you." And with that He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>John 20:21-22 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflections: This morning, our wonderful and gracious Lord opened my eyes to see that He comes right in the midst of our chaos; the messiness of our lives... He doesn't wait until we have everything in order; the kitchen cleaned, floors mopped, bed made, laundry done, never missing reading our Bible on a daily basis, always remembering to spend time in prayer, praying for our neighbors (that we may like or not), praying for our nation, blessing others, spending time with a friend or loved one, helping someone with their need (even when we have our own), driving a distance just to say hello to a friend or family member, remembering to send a birthday greeting that arrives on time, making a special treat for someone (because you can).... I know you get the picture. How I fail at every one of these things and more ~ regularly! If Jesus waited to bless me with peace and the Holy Spirit in my life until I was "totally prepared and had it all together," it would never happen in my lifetime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a personal note, I have been really struggling lately! Really struggling! I am so very thankful that God has blessed us with our current rental home and its location. It is truly a blessing to both Blaine and I. The one thing missing is being able to "build" Joy Bell Farm; our dream. Yes, we can grow fruits and vegetables, etc at our rental location - but not as we envision it (biodynamic, value-added products) as it's not our place to do so here (but perhaps God will show us how to). Yes, we are working on clearing space for a garden. As of now, it doesn't appear that it will be as large as we envisioned for this year. Clearing is happening at a very slow pace. The soil here is very dense and mineral rich (a blessing and a challenge - and oh, so many rocks), but as soon as rain hits it, it's like sticky goo and one can't work in it...., but God already knew that, didn't He? And, I had hoped to have chickens this spring - but it's not going to happen. Why not? We're still living out the challenges/consequences of our past. While we've worked through alot of the relationship issues, challenges and wounds from the past 6 years, we have one big weight that holds us down.....finances. We have debt, which really began in 1999/2000 when I became ill (we've had lots of out-of-pocket expenses since that time), we chose to assist Benjamin with his undergrad education (and took on part of his school debt), and we are still dealing with paying off our foreclosure settlement (repaying our retirement fund). And, we'll need to save for a down payment to purchase our own farm - if that opportunity should come to us. Most days I wonder..... will Joy Bell Farm ever be a possibility in our lifetime or will it always be a "dream" we hope for? Will it always remain out-of-reach? Our focus is paying off our financial debt and until that time, while we'd love for a farm agreement/arrangement to come into our lives, our hands are tied. Our only hope is God's provision. Is it His plan for our lives? If yes, He will make it happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, I am not seeking pity from anyone. We ALL have stories. We ALL have challenges in our lives. Thus far, there is not one person I've met who doesn't have a story that affects them. And, even as I wrestle with our story - God's Word comes to encourage and reassure that He is right there in the midst of our story and our daily life! When I took the photograph for today and then found the scripture and words began pouring into my thoughts of what my heart is feeling, I thought to myself, "I really don't want to share what is on my heart this morning, but it is real. It's my raw feelings. It's my personal experience where our life is right now. It's what I wrestle with daily in my faith journey." Moments later, I cried out aloud, overwhelmed, when today's God Calling devotional came onto my computer screen. After reading the devotional (see below), a few words from an old song fill my head (and I search and find it ~ and I remember God's anointing on this particular album.....and tears come.....). The Lord's presence washes over me, my heart rejoices as I know my Lord is near to me and hears my cry and a peace settles over me ~ for I know I am His child and He loves me and is with me in this crazy wonderful, painful, joyous adventure called life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I end this morning sharing with you by singing a powerful praise song...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Like a mighty rushing wind, move me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Like a river of joy, flow through me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Like a hot burning fire, consume us, Lord.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Touch us and make us like You. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May our amazing and loving Lord make Himself known to you today with a fresh revelation of who He is; His love and grace abounding to you. And in His words, "Peace be with you!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/GOD-Calling/208251462520769" target="_blank">God Calling</a> Devotional:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">April 2 - The Priceless Blessing</span><br />
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I am here. Here is truly as I was with My Disciples of old. Here to help and bless you. Here to company with you. Do you know, even yet, My children, that this is the priceless blessing of your lives? I forgive you, as you have prayed Me to, for all neglects of My commands, but start anew from today.</div>
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Study My words and carry them out unflinchingly, unflinching. As you do this, you will find that you are miracle-workers, workers together with M<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">e -- for Me. Remember this, not what you do, but what you are -- that is the miracle-working power.</span></div>
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Changed by My Spirit, shedding one garment of Spirit for a better; in time throwing that aside for a yet finer one, and so on from character to character, gradually transformed into My likeness.</div>
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Joy, Joy, Joy.</div>
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<i>This morning, I lift my hands, praise God and declare I love Him - once more!</i></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-51689766570361759152015-04-01T18:29:00.002-07:002015-04-01T18:29:53.573-07:00Lent journey: PEACE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I Am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (NLT)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: I have a very sensitive heart. I think I always have. My heart is easily wounded by the words and actions of others. It's possible that others think I overly or unreasonably react to things. I'm certain I do according to them. I've come to understand that this is how I was made. It's in the fabric of my being. I need to remind myself to run and hide in my Heavenly Father's arm for He knows me and loves me just as I am ~ and to embrace the Truth of His Word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recent events in the world have troubled my mind and my heart, but today I was reminded by our friend, Richard, in his post <a href="http://stepbystepjourney.com/?p=3947" target="_blank">Steps to Peace - Jesus' style (Part 1)</a> that Jesus has shown me the way. All I need to do is walk in it. I don't have to worry about anything. I don't have to be afraid. I can live in the gift Jesus gave - peace of mind and heart. It seems our world becomes more complex daily, but nothing surprises Jesus and He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us; right in the midst of it all. Today. I choose PEACE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And, one of my favorite Chris Tomlin songs that reminds me I have no one to fear. May You, dear reader, experience His peace that is greater than any promise of peace this world has to offer.</span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-66064573814633225562015-04-01T17:49:00.002-07:002015-04-01T17:50:10.050-07:00Lent journey: CALL <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>This is God's Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: "Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own." </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jeremiah 33:2-3 (The Message)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: I find it completely and utterly amazing that the God of the universe, my Heavenly Father, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords invites me (it's for you and everyone else, as well) to call to Him and He will answer us. It's a promise and He will reveal, share, help us discover things that I could not do on my own. When I think of ALL life in its entirety and I'm a little tiny speck, the love He has for me is overwhelming that He cares so much for me and that He wants to share marvelous and wondrous things..... with me. He is truly an awesome God!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think I've shared the words to a heart song the Holy Spirit inspired in me, but I feel compelled to share again with this post:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stand amazed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This life, Your Love...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It abounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The beauty....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stand amazed, oh...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Your Creation, for us,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So profound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stand amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stand amazed..... </span></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-25809825488194352912015-04-01T17:25:00.002-07:002015-04-01T17:25:25.888-07:00Lent journey: LIVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcusvnPTwJ4OlFQABTqcsGX0kaSK472xNSGN_iYZrd8zXgRnmPmVB8YWVgMvnHd-J9tSkod8y6qWVyI4iD-BwCrCHGnRudL1YtVZ5xm9TT7NLpAIUKaKy0SMl4nBLUr5jKgphsDPTySlT/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcusvnPTwJ4OlFQABTqcsGX0kaSK472xNSGN_iYZrd8zXgRnmPmVB8YWVgMvnHd-J9tSkod8y6qWVyI4iD-BwCrCHGnRudL1YtVZ5xm9TT7NLpAIUKaKy0SMl4nBLUr5jKgphsDPTySlT/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>He never sinned nor deceived anyone.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>He did not retaliate when insulted nor threaten revenge when He suffered.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He personally carried our sins </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in His body on the cross </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By His wounds you are healed.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Once you were like sheep who wandered away.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But now you have turned to your Shepherd, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the Guardian of your souls. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>1 Peter 2:21-25 (NLT)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: When left to my own devises, I do have a tendency to wander - just as sheep do. Oh, how I need my Shepherd!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Reading the passage again and again, I realize these verses are not only difficult to hear, but also nearly impossible to live out in my own human experience. In fact, I can't do it on my own. I need my Savior and the help of the Holy Spirit to do my best to live as God has called me to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These verses reveal several areas of my life where I find it challenging to be obedient and trust Him; sometimes without even realizing what I'm doing. Why is it that the things God wants me to do, the opposite is "second nature" for me? And those words, "live for what is right..." How I wish God would write me a personal note, call me on the phone or send me an e-mail or text message, so I knew exactly what those words mean to Him. In my humanness, I stumble about trying to determine what is right (biblically) while the world is shouting really loudly about what "they" say is right. Lord, help me please!
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These verses end with a wonderful reassurance.... I have chosen to turn to my Shepherd and He is the Guardian of my soul. And, because of Jesus, I am healed! </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our God blesses us with an amazing HOPE that even as we struggle along our journey, He is with us to help us fully LIVE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And, once again, I lift my hands toward heaven and sing out:</span></span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-39186375730492796062015-04-01T16:18:00.001-07:002015-04-01T16:18:31.102-07:00Lent journey: CELEBRATE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmJS95ZQS7nmm5DSm8lVzNRmj6I4gEMrWbOIfjcPRt-cNhHYdg-CapyNpoIVyst3t7-TW_y9cIVsdeSmH5g6DBzBcNCTIHol8tQiKkCsTMXxpB4mlbD_KGKEB9x7jPR97JFCVQ8XTxdHS/s1600/IMG_1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmJS95ZQS7nmm5DSm8lVzNRmj6I4gEMrWbOIfjcPRt-cNhHYdg-CapyNpoIVyst3t7-TW_y9cIVsdeSmH5g6DBzBcNCTIHol8tQiKkCsTMXxpB4mlbD_KGKEB9x7jPR97JFCVQ8XTxdHS/s1600/IMG_1098.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>This is the day which the Lord has made;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Let us rejoice and be glad in it. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 118:24 (NASB)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: Rejoicing in the gift of a beautiful day of life and living! Fresh air to breath and the beauty of God's Creation all around us. What a truly wonderful gift!</span></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-41983792165422743492015-04-01T15:52:00.001-07:002015-04-01T16:06:42.180-07:00Lent journey: SEE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-b5ljO0_-mPBanNOvmzh_vfJCuGNGDMpjE6jC-c9opgxAGX6VMU-FO_oo4_ZS6CvV_hqqkchliFw5TUUh4DLNLDffH8Bpeqe_GSQ3wyCQ0_L3ckttHTgmbOZdW3fGAqwoWYuqNw8mLmL/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-b5ljO0_-mPBanNOvmzh_vfJCuGNGDMpjE6jC-c9opgxAGX6VMU-FO_oo4_ZS6CvV_hqqkchliFw5TUUh4DLNLDffH8Bpeqe_GSQ3wyCQ0_L3ckttHTgmbOZdW3fGAqwoWYuqNw8mLmL/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>See, I Am doing a new thing! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Now it spring up; do you not perceive it? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: Do I see? What do I see? Am I seeing anything? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Definition of "see" ~ <i>perceive with the eyes; discern visually.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How quickly I fall into "the past," just as the nation of Israel did in Exodus (when God delivered them from oppression/slavery in Egypt). Why is it that I find this so easy to do, when I know God delivers us from places, situations, or people that He no longer desires us to be connected with? Now, in this case, I'm talking specifically about our home and urban farm in Burien... There are countless days when I long to go back, to have our urban farm, my chickens, our home and the life we lived there; practically begging God to restore us there. But, when I have gone back to the place, I know I don't belong there. I don't want to live in that particular place (though I'd like to have some of my old neighbors as neighbors again). It's just that when where we are today isn't exactly what we hoped for or what we thought was going to be or the journey is difficult - I have a tendency to want to "go back." It seems like it's human nature for alot of people. For me, Burien is the place I have lived the longest in one place; possibly my whole entire life! 7 years. I understand why that particular place seems to have a pull on me. And yet, I know I can't go back. I don't really want to go back. And with this verse, God is reminding me, again, that He is doing something new. Stop dwelling on what has been lost; on what is no more. It is time to focus on God and what He is doing here and now and that is super exciting! I want to go forward......with God......and be in the midst of whatever He is at work doing. I believe He is doing something new, even as I can't quite focus and see what it is yet. And now, I'm watching for it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God is good. All the time! </span></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-45482625684003617472015-04-01T12:44:00.000-07:002015-04-01T12:51:20.660-07:00Lent journey: MEDITATE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdix7Ych16__p42p0gY1sGDvTiltsQeNBpm1CR0d_hFadQJbGyRVABWAMqOLT6lm1hUrofycG1eb-8kvQ06gGThkE6iwWc232Avpce8S8aD5XlaSQIjxlHD1qesGcBx-TcaFyw3jUcyyZ/s1600/2009+A+most+wonderful+day+with+Lori+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdix7Ych16__p42p0gY1sGDvTiltsQeNBpm1CR0d_hFadQJbGyRVABWAMqOLT6lm1hUrofycG1eb-8kvQ06gGThkE6iwWc232Avpce8S8aD5XlaSQIjxlHD1qesGcBx-TcaFyw3jUcyyZ/s1600/2009+A+most+wonderful+day+with+Lori+026.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>How well God must like you - </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>you don't hang out at Sin Saloon,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>you don't slink along Dead-End Raod,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Instead you thrill to God's Word, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>you chew <span style="font-size: x-small;">(meditate)</span> on Scripture day and night.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You're a tree replanted in Eden,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>bearing fresh fruit every month, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Never dropping a leaf,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>always in blossom.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You're not at all like the wicked,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>who are mere windblown dust -</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Without defense in court,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>unfit company for innocent people.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>God charts the road you take,.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The road they take is Skid Row.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 1 (The Message)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: This is my spiritual life passage. The Psalm speaks life and guidance to me. And in reading it again today, it makes me feel alive and also gently and lovingly reminds me that I need to get back to being "thrilled" or "delighted" (NIV) in God's Word daily. While I do focus on God's Word often, the Lord has revealed to me that I am not meditating upon it as He would desire I do. So thankful, again, for this Lenten journey and all our amazing Lord is sharing with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along my spiritual journey, I've messed up plenty of times. So glad God doesn't keep score. But, His Word reminds me of all I am through Christ and as His child. That is wonderful news, indeed! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And from my Christian Growth Study Bible - a study excerpt about verses 1-3...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Secret of an abundant life:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>George Mueller began a ministry that rescued hundreds of starving orphans from death in the slums of England. As important as his role was in showing these needy children the love of their heavenly Father, the ministry was never Mueller's first priority. He believed God's highest call on his life was for intimate relationship with Him. God had shown him that the way to have this was through daily Bible meditation.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The concept of meditation comes from a Latin word that describes a cow chewing the cud. The grass is eaten, chewed, swallowed, regurgitated, chewed some more and swallowed again. The process is repeated until the food is fully digested. Mueller said, "God showed me that I should go to His Word to chew on it early in the morning. This is not something I do for my ministry, but something for me personally, that I would be nourished."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>History testifies to the tremendous impact this meditation had on his life and ministry. Imagine what God could accomplish through each of us if we started each day by meditating on the Word!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">George Mueller's faith life has also had a great impact on my own spiritual journey...</span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-83422317695593439512015-04-01T12:14:00.002-07:002015-04-01T12:14:53.399-07:00Lent journey: SEEK <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58kMVcbuGTlBTSF6jnaMfQObOWmkDL78HR2dQM5Jfuo2NQas8ySCBUpae-QD8hfgXK2nji_dN5H62MUYKbRo03cMwVu-jlbviwInsNj-pzwx3t6WDwTBBGu8uVKW5yqj7zIo66eoShafn/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58kMVcbuGTlBTSF6jnaMfQObOWmkDL78HR2dQM5Jfuo2NQas8ySCBUpae-QD8hfgXK2nji_dN5H62MUYKbRo03cMwVu-jlbviwInsNj-pzwx3t6WDwTBBGu8uVKW5yqj7zIo66eoShafn/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: Determined to finished this Lenten photo journey, but being way behind....., it's time to push through; asking my amazing Lord to show me the way. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for hanging out with me today and giving me wisdom to get "caught up!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I fully believe these verses and live them out, I think, every day! There are things I have been asking, seeking and knocking on doors for years and believe, in God's timing and according to His will for my life - they WILL happen! I think the biggest failure or disappointment with these verses is that, from a human perspective, we think what we're asking, seeking and knocking should have an immediate answer/provision. But, God works on His time clock, not ours. And, we cannot understand everything nor know the whys and why nots - because God alone knows the whole story and is the only One who sees the whole picture... Even as I/we wait, we continually praise Him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yes, Blaine and I continue to do these things, through prayer, for our 'hoped for' Joy Bell Farm. How we pray and seek God's provision to take what was an urban farm and bless us with a permanent farm location in Enumclaw (biodynamic, farm stay, JB's Kitchen) for His glory and purpose in our lives.</span><br />
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-66450666650050125442015-03-25T21:20:00.001-07:002015-03-25T21:20:21.998-07:00How to make a Green Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wholelifenutrition.net/articles/childrens-health/how-make-green-smoothie-kids" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zJi8IV6afyoQq5F9XcZwxxB7XCYu0Jl6WxodO_xb37t7lqcdOq6JXcgNxKQ4DSqcswm0T09tUVn18BEVm2xZFWPnAL49lV8IioLG4qjZipIfjZxm0TjcCK5ydzlPSFJ-Ma0SIRCNUBJz/s1600/green+smoothie+chart-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Was so excited when I saw this post by Ali at Whole Life Nutrition today, that I just had to share it for others to enjoy too. Just click on the photo and it will take you to their site. <span style="font-size: large;">ENJOY!</span></span></div>
Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-7597699104650739922015-03-25T20:56:00.001-07:002015-03-25T20:56:28.077-07:00Lent journey: TRUTH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDDpsDx-R29xFR2huaqem9U3Jc0MNO-t972FAbNaZaFyHZR_wCK0IR2Zzag61Qe6zJ8kP6LPrdFKm_lzng0b89zZ22MgsTRjj0VS0VwlnRdP5gO4bOejR8IzQejiOVgykTSBj6lQWrPXP/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDDpsDx-R29xFR2huaqem9U3Jc0MNO-t972FAbNaZaFyHZR_wCK0IR2Zzag61Qe6zJ8kP6LPrdFKm_lzng0b89zZ22MgsTRjj0VS0VwlnRdP5gO4bOejR8IzQejiOVgykTSBj6lQWrPXP/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"I Am the true grapevine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of Mine that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me."</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">John 15:1-4</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Personal reflection: This is one of the ways I "make the connection" to Jesus and God the Father, in my life. My faith connection is most often 'rooted' in Creation and I can so relate with verses, such as these above. It makes sense. And, it really makes sense after taking a hands-on grape pruning workshop in February. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Grapes in Western Washington are popular to grow, but they do need some special care. The picture above is the rough pruning cut - removing all other branches, except for the best 4 options for this year's grape crop. Final winter pruning determines which 2 are the best choices for this year's production. As the main life force in the grape plant comes from its trunk (or vine), those branches that are healthy and closest to the source of life/its vitality will likely produce the most fruit. A branch is chosen and wrapped around the fruiting wire in each direction, secured, and the other branches are removed. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>For best harvest, only 2 healthiest branches connected to the original vine remain!</i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">And while the plants will put on a huge amount of growth (and have to be topped during the growing season), the fruiting only occurs at this knee high fruiting wire; needing to be close to the life source and while receiving radiant warmth from the living soil. Our temps in Western Washington are not warm enough for fruiting to occur farther away from this source.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Now, these plants grow quite large during the season and if one left on all the branches that grew - healthy and not-so-healthy - grape production would be greatly reduced in the following season with the possibility of no production size fruit in a season or so to follow... <i>God's desire is for each of us to bear abundant fruit in our lives.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">And yet, to wire these branches to the fruiting wire, we had to slightly bend the branches we were wrapping on the wire and each bend produced cracking in the branch "skin" (the branch was no longer smooth, but "roughed up" a little in the process). A reminder to me that this journey; this life isn't going to be easy. To bear fruit, our lives must handle the pruning God brings to our lives. We're not going to look fine china, but instead, we will have some bruising; even battle scars. Yet, we will bear more fruit, we will be fruitful, if we remain connected in the vine of Christ. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28.799999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">God never promised it would be an easy life - and many times I have wanted to give up - but God's Truth never fails me and His faithfulness never ends. His mercies are new every morning.... His love endures forever. And those, are solid reasons for me to remain connected to the vine of Christ, growing in His Truth - my life source for every day and a lifetime. I may look old and gnarly one day from all His pruning, but I pray my life bears fruit until He calls me home.</span></span></span></div>
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353399706942293798.post-42642877701037482502015-03-25T16:40:00.001-07:002015-03-25T16:40:15.327-07:00Lent journey: MERCY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174850181/his-mercies-hand-painted-sign?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJOzHSlanh3tUrs8h2AbNyaP6Bh6Q9t_BlwznanAtlzZLvYwDe2GdHCJ17d9s6XrtIlTXmqLeR_mPlKTJ9_aony1eM96kLYB4Cd2toMXqaUZ26z0HOp9PodpyGW1xqcAGflSmpTAfhp3A/s1600/il_570xN.547407360_jymx.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174850181/his-mercies-hand-painted-sign?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Custom sign by Becky Leach of etsy shop: Little Branches</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Definition of mercy: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From my Christian Growth Study Bible's How to Read Lamentations, an excerpt:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you've ever suffered a significant loss, Lamentations can help bring healing and restoration. It's a beautiful, though sober book describing the pain of a people stripped of everything but their hope in God. It's filled wit crushing emotions; anger, desperation, fear, loneliness, hopelessness. But in reading Lamentations, those who have been wounded may feel strangely understood and comforted. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personal reflection: Is this not the most amazing news?! How can we not begin each new day praising God and rejoicing in who He is when He has shared this Truth with us?! Sometimes, it's really hard to wrap my head around this Truth. If God would do this for us, it should teach us, each one, to show mercy toward others? As we live in His faithfulness each day of this life, should we not also be faithful to Him? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I pondered this word mercy and God's faithfulness to us, I discovered Sara Groves and her beautiful song, He's Always Been Faithful. I pray mercy and faithfulness grows in me daily and that it overflows from my life into the lives of others who cross my path along this journey.... God is good. All the time. Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and faithfulness!</span><br />
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Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663588329014430033noreply@blogger.com0