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Showing posts from August, 2006

Live Every Moment - Seize the Day

While I was away visiting Rae in Athens today, I received a phone call from my roommate, Cynthia. Through her hysterical sobs, I finally deciphered that she had lost someone dear to her today. One of her friends at work was killed in a car accident last night. I know no details, only that in an instant, lives where ended and others changed. That quickly...everything changed. It reminds me that life here is short. We are but grass that is here today and gone tomorrow. And that is exciting...because I know that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me in Our Father's House! But, it also reminds me that my time here is short and I need to make the most of it. I need to seize each day and live each moment. Stop being afraid. Stop being passive. Love those I love with a fierceness that shows them the truth. Forgive those who've hurt me and move past it. Seek reconciliation in relationships that are broken. This life is short. But, eternity waits. It reminded me of a song by Carolyn

What Forgiveness Isn't

What Forgiveness Isn't 6 myths that may be keeping you from letting go. by Denise George I listened quietly as my friend Jamie told me the frank details of the sexual abuse she'd suffered as a child. "I hate my father!" she blurted out. "He abused me for more than a decade!" Jamie cried. "But my pastor said if I want to heal from my childhood pain, I have to forgive." "What did you tell your pastor?" I asked. "I told him I could never forgive my father, that I didn't want to forgive him, that no one—not even God—would expect me to forgive him!" Jamie told me all the reasons that kept her from forgiving her abusive father. I'd heard many of them before. In fact, I'd used some of them two years earlier, when a friend I'd trusted to keep a confidence told several women in my Sunday school class about a painful circumstance I was going through. I felt betrayed by my friend—as I should have. But forgive her? That was

Thoughts on Sarcasm

About a month ago, I was teaching the Middle Schoolers at church how to have a quiet time. We were reading through the Proverb of the day and it contained so much that is pertinent to their lives. But, one part of the chapter struck me. Verses 17-28 New American Standard Version 17Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. 18Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 19So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?" 20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 23Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart. 24He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart. 25When he speak

Forgiveness

Forgiveness. I've been thinking alot about that word lately. We've been talking about it at church alot and I've batted it around with my friends some. I'm not sure how settled I am on what God expects from me in the arena of forgiveness. So, here are some of my random thoughts. Maybe writing them down and requesting feedback will help me find the answer. Below are some of the verses that I have been looking at and pondering in my quest. Nehemiah 9:17 "They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and Compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And you did not forsake them" Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not

The Story Behind "Praise You in the Storm"

I read this article today and it touched my heart. It's a long read, but definitely worth it. Oh, Lord...to be able to say Blessed Be Your Name...even when everything has been taken away! He Gives, and Takes Away by Mark Hall posted 08/14/06 You're probably familiar with the Casting Crowns hit single "Praise You in This Storm." In this excerpt from his new book Lifestories, frontman Mark Hall tells the story behind the song. Great songs don't just come out of nowhere, and there's quite a story behind the Casting Crowns hit, "Praise You in This Storm." In a new book called Lifestories (available August 29), Mark Hall, the band's frontman and chief songwriter, tells the stories behind the songs—including this one about a little girl dying of cancer who never gave up her trust in Jesus . . . and her mother who literally stood on the promises of God through the whole ordeal. The following story has been adapted and condensed from the book. Laurie E