tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22049883996739737582024-03-13T14:37:21.423-05:00Ponderings of an Elect ExileRandom ponderings of an Elect Exile (1 Peter 1: 1-2). Blessedly spoiled wife to Billy and homeschooling mom to 4 crazy, highly creative, sometimes cranky, but always amazing children. Blogging about life, school, friends, family, photos, food, books, and most of all,the ramblings of a wife and mom daily amazed by the grace of an Awesome God...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.comBlogger969125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-80824037606540808382021-12-21T06:31:00.001-06:002021-12-21T06:31:41.055-06:0010 Years. Yet Will I Praise Him!<div>Once again, my body and brain knew what my memory hadn't caught up to yet---I saw this post in my FB memories this morning and so much about my emotional and physical issues yesterday and today suddenly made sense, again.</div><div><br></div><div>10 years since Bay's first known tonic-clonic seizure. This is long, but all still true. So very much hard I would take away in a heartbeat if I could--these last few weeks especially--but oh, the goodness and faithfulness and great grace and mercy of our God!!❤ ❤ So thankful, still and always. ♥ ♥ </div><div><br></div><div>Here's last year's post (and yes, I know my quotation marks are all messed up. I don't have time or energy or brainpower to fix them this morning 😳) :<br></div><div><br></div><div>"Nine years ago today.</div><div><br></div><div>"I realized long ago that our bodies & brains keep up with trauma anniversaries even when our conscious minds don't. We've seen that over & over & I've done some interesting reading over the years about the ways trauma affects our bodies & brains. I was just reading this week about research now that indicates trauma can actually alter our DNA. 😲 I am fascinated that in so many ways, even the greatest scientists can't understand or explain everything about the workings of our brains and bodies. The ways of our Creator are truly higher than our ways, & past our finding out. ♥ (Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33)</div><div><br></div><div>"As I was scrolling through my FB memories this morning, so much about the last few days and particularly last night and this morning, made sense. I saw this post:</div><div><br></div><div>'Update for all who were involved in the excitement at the Acteen sleepover this morning...Bayley seems to be fine. We went by Billy's work and they did a little more in-depth checking, and everything looks normal. We're supposed to watch her for 24 hours, but hopefully it was just lack of sleep...which she is catching up on even as we speak! :) Huge thanks to everyone for the help, concern, and prayers this morning.'</div><div><br></div><div>"We didn't know it then, but that" excitement" was Bay's first known tonic-clonic seizure, & that morning would become one of "those" days--the ones where you wake up in the morning thinking it's just another day, not realizing that the whole course of your life is about to change. </div><div><br></div><div>"Looking back at that status, thinking back to that day--it seems like another lifetime. Bayley had spent the night at the Acteen sleepover, I had just gotten a shower in preparation to go pick her up, & at just about this time in the morning, my phone rang, and it was Lyndel, saying "Valerie just tried to call you, let me let you talk to her."</div><div><br></div><div>"The rest of the story of that morning is here---> <a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2016/12/even-if-not-and-blurry-pair-of-socks.html?m=1">Even if Not and a Blurry Pair of Socks</a> in the blog post that now in itself seems surreal, as it was written just as the unexplainable downhill slide was beginning that has brought us to points we could never have imagined. </div><div><br></div><div>"We could never have imagined that the girl we called our "Energizer Bunny" & laughed that she had two speeds:full speed ahead & sound asleep, our active, athletic, outdoor-loving girl, would spend 90% of her time too weak to walk downstairs. </div><div><br></div><div>"We could never have imagined that the girl who was known for her love of food would get to the point that one of our biggest challenges would be getting enough calories in for survival. </div><div><br></div><div>" We could never have imagined that the girl who was the most talkative of all our talkative children would have days when she didn't have the strength to speak at all. </div><div><br></div><div>" We could never have imagined that our girl who loved people so much would go weeks at a time without seeing or talking to anyone outside our family.</div><div><br></div><div>" We could never have imagined one of our greatest blessings being the provision of a wheelchair. </div><div><br></div><div>"So much more we could never have imagined that I can't even type, because it's just too hard & brings back too many bittersweet memories. </div><div><br></div><div>" But there are other things we could never have imagined, too:</div><div><br></div><div>"Precious conversations Bay & I have had in the wee hours of the morning when she hasn't been able to sleep. </div><div><br></div><div>" Laughter in the humor our kids have found & created in the midst of the yuck of epilepsy. </div><div><br></div><div>"So many ways that sweet friends have blessed & encouraged, & a community of prayer warriors who lift us to the Father so faithfully. </div><div><br></div><div>" The precious-to-my-mama-heart ways that her siblings care for her, help keep things going here, & minister to my heart. </div><div><br></div><div>" The beautiful ways that Bay is able to minister from her bed & chair in the midst of pain, weakness, & heartache, & the prayer warrior she has become. </div><div><br></div><div>" The joy in those times when she is able to be up, out, & involved. Those times are so precious now! </div><div><br></div><div>" The ways God has worked in her life & all our lives through her health struggles - - the ways He has made His Word even more real and precious - - the ways He has shown us more of HIMSELF through it all. </div><div><br></div><div>" And so much more that I just can't type right now. ♥ </div><div><br></div><div>" If I had had my way, we'd never have gone down this road. If I had had my way she sure wouldn't have had the decline of the last few years. And--total honesty here? In this last year, which has been the worst & hardest ever (for reasons that have almost nothing to do with the things for which 2020 will go down in history), if I had had the power, I would have stopped it. I would have made her better. I would have taken away the pain, the weakness, the neurological issues, the eating and sleep & waking issues, all of it. In a heartbeat. Pretty much every day. </div><div><br></div><div>"But to quote a blog post I wrote years ago, "I'm thankful I'm not queen of the world." We are praying & hoping that 2021 may be the year we get answers, & treatment, & improvement. Oh, how much I hope and pray for that! But I know that it may not be. And my prayer even more than that is that God will help us to be steadfast. That He will help us run the race well. That He will help us press on toward the mark of the high calling of the Lord Jesus. That He will give us boldness & grace & opportunity to share the Gospel. That His love & grace & truth will shine. That He will never, ever let us lose sight of & faith in the fact that whatever He does--WHATEVER He does--is good. That He will help us keep clinging to the truth that it is for our good, for those who are His, and for His glory. That our greatest desire will truly be that His will be done, even if it's not what we would choose. That we can truly say with Paul, "I am content in weakness, insults, persecutions, hardships, and calamities." </div><div><br></div><div>""Yet will I praise Him!" He is sovereign. He is sufficient. He is faithful. He is our hope, & our peace. He is good, always& in all things. So very, very thankful that He Is." ♥ ♥ ♥ <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-79906263417235168202020-08-15T17:37:00.000-05:002020-08-15T17:40:01.230-05:00Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div>I apologize that last week's notes are so late! The second two weeks in August are some of our busiest weeks of the year (including birthdays for two of our girls. :-)), and this year has been even more full than usual. These notes may be rougher than last week's! </div><b><div><b><br></b></div>James 2:1-13</b><div><br></div><div><b>2:1 <span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">My brothers,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">the Lord of glory.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">"show no partiality"--also translated favoritism--literally, "respecter or persons", looking at the outside instead of the inside--Strongs says,"looking at outward circumstances vs. intrinsic merits".</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">"as you hold the faith"--to hold, possess, have--</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span> </span><span> Faith here is again the Greek word "pistis" from the last couple of weeks. It means belief, trust, confidence. A reminder again from HELPS word study that faith is *always* a gift from God, not something that can be produced by people. </span><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><br></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span>"in our Lord Jesus Christ"--"Lord" is one exercising absolute rights, ownership; Christ is the Anointed One, the Messiah<br></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><br></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span>"The Lord of glory"--"Glory" = praise, honor, splendor; HELPS says this is shows God's infinite, intrinsic worth.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><br></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is pretty straightforward--a warning not to show partiality or favoritism as we live out our faith. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Then he gives an example to make sure they get it: </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>2:2-4 </b></span></span><b><span class="text Jas-2-2" id="en-ESV-30279" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,</span><span class="text Jas-2-3" id="en-ESV-30280" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”</span><span class="text Jas-2-4" id="en-ESV-30281" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?</span></b></div><div><b><span class="text Jas-2-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Again, this is pretty straightforward. Some translations translate "fine clothing" as "lavish attire". "Pay attention" here means giving special regard to. "Sit here in a good place" means "seat of honor" or advantageous or well-perceived place. So, the picture here is of fawning over the wealthy man, making sure he gets the best seat and special attention.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">But (the Greek word for "while" here means "but you even") the poor man (one destitute in earthly wealth, the total opposite of the rich) is told to stand or sit on the floor or a low stool at one's feet. The Greek here indicates a place of servitude, being under the complete dominion of another.</font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">You have made distinctions among yourselves--The Greek word here means to distinguish among or judge, to discriminate. The Greek word can be used as either a positive or negative judging/discriminating that can only be determined by context. Here it is obviously the negative.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">The word for judge here is the word used for one who tries and decides a case, according to Strong's. It is used in other places of God passing judgment on men and of Christ returning to sit in judgment. Basically, when we discriminate in this way, we are setting ourselves up in God's place. That is not a good place to be!</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">Evil thoughts - - Evil means bad, wicked, malicious. The word used here for thoughts refers to reaso ing, deliberations, plotting. HELPS Word Studies says, "reasoning that is self-based and therefore confused--especially as it contributes to reinforcing others in discussion to remain in their initial prejudice."</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><b>2:5 </b></font><b>Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>God has chosen--to choose here is to pick out for Himself, to elect, to select. HELPS Word Studies says this is "a highly deliberate choice (real heart preference) with a definite outcome (as with the destination of divine selection for salvation)."</div><div><br></div><div>What a blessed, wonderful, comforting thought that He has chosen the poor of this world--for what?? To be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom!</div><div><br></div><div>To be rich in faith is to be abounding in, wealthy. It's the Greek word "plousios". HELPS says of this:</div><div><br></div><div><i>"</i>properly, <i>fully</i> resourced; <i>rich</i> (filled), by having God's '<i>muchness'</i>– i.e. His <i>abundance</i> that comes from receiving <i>His</i> provisions (material and spiritual <i>riches</i>) through faith (<i>pístis</i>)." <br></div><div><br></div><div>I love that! "Having God's muchness." </div><div><br></div><div>Faith is again the Greek word <i>pistis,</i> meaning belief, trust. It's is a belief/trust in God that can't be manufactured by man, but must be given from God. HELPS says it is God's divine persuasion, distinct from human belief or confidence yet involving it. </div><div><br></div><div>He has promised the inheritance of His kingdom to those who love Him. His promise is a specific, definite pledge. "Love" here is the Word <i>agapeo, </i>which according to HELPS, means "for the believer, preferring to live through Christ, i.e. embracing God's will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power." </div><div><br></div><div><b>2:6-7 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>"Dishonored" here means to disgrace or despise. HELPS says, "to treat dishonorably (shamefully, with indignity) because of being perceived as having no value (honor, worth). </div><div><br></div><div>James says that they have disgraced the poor man, while the rich are the ones who treat them harshly and exercise dominion against them. </div><div><br></div><div>HELPS says this of the word "oppress" here--"powerfully bringing someone down (denying them the higher position or blessing they should enjoy). </div><div><br></div><div>These wealthy ones were also the ones blaspheming the" honorable name by which you were called", the name of Jesus. That word blaspheme means to slander, to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things. HELPS says, "refusing to acknowledge good (worthy of respect, veneration), hence to blaspheme, which reverses moral values." </div><div><br></div><div>This sounds so much like our society today! Blasphemy is rampant. Profanity means to make common that which is holy. We see people speaking lightly of the sacred all the time, making common that which is holy, refusing to acknowledge good as good, call g good evil and evil good. God says that we are not to honor these people, to give special attention to them. </div><div><br></div><div>He says that the Name by which we are called is honorable and noble. It's is beautiful, valuable, and virtuous. </div><div><br></div><div><b>2:8-11 <span class="text Jas-2-8" id="en-ESV-30285">If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.</span> <span class="text Jas-2-9" id="en-ESV-30286"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.</span> <span class="text Jas-2-10" id="en-ESV-30287"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.</span> <span class="text Jas-2-11" id="en-ESV-30288"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="text Jas-2-11"><br></span></b></div><div>Again, these verses are pretty straightforward. Those who truly obey the law, "love your neighbor as yourself" are doing well--honorably, nobly, rightly. Those who show favoritism sin and are reproved rebuked, disciplined. We either keep the law or are convicted by it. </div><div><br></div><div>We can keep every part of the law but one, and we are fully guilty. Our good acts do not atone for our bad ones. Only Jesus's blood can do that. </div><div><br></div><div><b>2:12-13 <span class="text Jas-2-12" id="en-ESV-30289">So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.</span> <span class="text Jas-2-13" id="en-ESV-30290"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="text Jas-2-13"><br></span></b></div><div><span class="text Jas-2-13" style="font-weight: bold;">Judgement is sure and certain. We will be found innocent or guilty. We should live accordingly, and show mercy to others as God shows mercy to us. Matthew Henry says:</span></div><div><span class="text Jas-2-13" style="font-weight: bold;"><br></span></div><div><span class="text Jas-2-13" style="font-weight: bold;">"</span>The doom passed upon impenitent sinners at last, will be judgment without mercy. But God deems it his glory and joy, to pardon and bless those who might justly be condemned at his tribunal; and his grace teaches those who partake of his mercy, to copy it in their conduct."</div><div><br></div><div>Such beautiful words--Mercy triumphs over judgment! The fact that we have experienced mercy over judgement in salvation should cause us to gladly show mercy to those around us. ❤ </div><div><br></div><div><b>For those in the Thursday Bible study, I'm so sorry to have had to cancel this week! We will cover James 2:14-26 this coming Thursday, August 20. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-31924701631281931082020-08-04T18:45:00.000-05:002020-08-04T18:45:45.039-05:00Every Good Gift, Our Unchanging Father, and Being Doers of the Word (James 1:16-25)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div>We didn't quite get through verses 16-27 this week, so we'll add 26-27 to next week and then get as far as we can through 2:1-13. After going long the second week, I'm trying to keep us as near an hour and a half as possible. I don't want to rush over anything, but I don't want the time to become burdensome, either. Hopefully this will work. :) <div><br></div><div>(A couple of quick apologies here--first, I'm days later getting these notes posted than I meant to be. It's been a rough week here! Second, this week's notes are even rougher than usual. Instead of doing them in one or two longer sessions, it's been 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Add that to my general struggles with brain clarity these days, and you have very rough notes. I'm sorry for that, and hope you can make sense of them! Feel free to contact me with questions. 😊) </div><div><div><br></div><div><b>1:16 </b><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.</b></span></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">The Greek word here for "deceived" means "to lead astray, to cause to wander, to roam." It's the word <i>planao--</i>to go astray, to get off-course, to deviate from the correct path, roaming into error, wandering to be misled. (HELPS Word Studies) <i>Planao </i>is the root word of our word planet, "wandering body". In Scripture, it nearly always conveys the sin of wandering. It's linked to the Greek word in the Gospels for sheep that go (or are led) astray.</span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">There is so much deception going on in our world right now (always has been, but we see it so rampantly right now!) He reminds us he is writing to believers here, and warning them not to be led astray. We need that reminder as much now as they did then for sure! </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1:17 </b></span></font><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">the Father of lights, </span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change</b>.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Every" means "all, the whole, every kind of"; it doesn't leave anything out! </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Good"-- means "gift" or "a giving"</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">And "perfect"--Complete, having reached its end, full grown, "especially of the completeness of Christian character". "Developed into a consummating completion by fulfilling the necessary process (spiritual journey)" (HELPS Word Studies) The illustration here is of an old pirates telescope, unfolding one stage at a time to function at full strength. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">Same Greek word used in Matthew 5:48, "Be perfect, as I am perfect,", Romans 12:2, "that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God," and 1 John 4:18, "perfect love casts out fear". </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">"Gift"-- Greek word <i>dorema, </i>meaning bounty or bestowment. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">"From above"--from Heaven, from a higher place, from the beginning, from their origin/source. According to Strongs, the Greek word here is often used for things from God. The same word is used in Matthew 27:51, when the curtain is torn from top to bottom, and also used for born "again" in John 3.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">"Coming down"--to descend from on high, from the sky or higher land. Same word is used in Matthew 3:16, where the Spirit of God descends like a dove at Jesus's baptism, and in Matthew 28, when the angel of the Lord descended from Heaven when the women came to the tomb. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">from the "Father"--Heavenly Father. According to HELPS Word Studies, "Father" here means one who imparts life and is committed to it. The Greek <i>pater </i>here is used to refer to our Heavenly Father, who imparts life to us, from physical birth to the gift of eternal life/being born again. This is not one who simply contributes to a life entering the world, but One Who cares about that life and is intimately involved with it. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">"of lights"-- "Phos" is the Greek word here, meaning source of light, radiance, "the manifestation of God's self-existent life, divine illumination, to reveal and impart life through Christ." (HELPS Word Studies)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">With Whom there is "no"-- No here is an absolute negative, leaves no room for dispute. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">"Change"--variation, mutation, fickleness, variableness. The only occurrence of this Greek word in the NT is in this verse. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">Or "shifting"-- Turning, change, mutation (again, the only occurrence of this word in the NT)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">"Shadow"--shading off or obscuration. I love the word picture in this verse! The HELPS Word Studies says of this "properly, a shadow created by turning. Typically shadows change according to the changing position of the sun (being short at midday and lengthy at nightfall). But <i>God doesn't change (shorten or lengthen) because He Himself is the only absolute reference point." </i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">God is unchanging, immutable. He possesses all life in Himself, all power in Himself. There is nothing big enough to cast shade on God! </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">We can't always trust other people. People change. They are imperfect, they are not all-powerful, and they can be fickle. We can't even trust ourselves, as much as the world tells us to! There are all kinds of messages in the world today about trusting in ourselves, listening to our hearts, that we can do anything if we work hard enough and want it badly enough. But we are fickle, weak, and undependable at our best. One day I can feel competent and sure of myself, and the next day feel completely worthless and inadequate. I definitely can't trust in myself! But our God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can trust Him because of that. We can be sure of Him and His Word when we can't be sure of <i>anything </i>else. What a wonderful promise. </span></div><div><br></div><div>And how incredibly wonderful that this perfect, all-powerful, immutable (unchanging!) God Who is so great nothing in the universe is big enough to cast shade on Him is our <i>pater, </i>our Father Who not only gives us life and salvation, but Who is committed to our lives and intimately involved with them. </div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1:18 </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">O<b>f his own will he </b></span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">brought us forth by the word of truth, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">that we should be a kind of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">firstfruits of his creatures.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">He "chose"--to will, intend, desire. HELPS Word Studies says, "to plan with full resolve, resolutely plan--a strong term that underlines the predeerined and determind intention driving the planning." </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Bouloumai" is the Greek word here. It means that God always works out His purpose, "especially in conjunction with presetting the physical scenes of history" (HELPS)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">There is nothing that can thwart His purpose. With all that is going on in our world today, God isn't sitting in Heaven wringing His hands, caught by surprise, trying to figure out how to regain control. He is orchestrating every event and issue to bring about His divine plan. And with all that power and greatness, He cares enough personally about us to choose us, to bring us forth, and to save us. What a thought! </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">to give us "birth"--to bring forth, to generate, to give birth to.</span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">through the "Word"-- Greek <i>logos--</i>speech, divine utterance, HELPS says, "Pre-eminently used of Christ, expressing the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit." </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">of "truth"--truth of idea, reality, divine truth revealed to man. HELPS says reality as opposed to illusion. Strongs says, "what is true in any matter under consideration, as opposed to what is feigned, fictitious, or false." </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">There is so much out there today being held up as truth that is not truth. We must measure everything that claims to be truth against God's Word. </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">That we would be a kind of "firstfruits"--firstfruits= beginnings of a sacrifice, earliest crop of the year, earliest converts in a district. The firstfruits were the best, given in sacrifice. </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">Of His "creation"--created things, creatures. </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1:19 </b></span></font><b><span class="text Jas-1-19" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Know" this--The Greek here means to be aware, behold, consider, perceive. HELPS says "a seeing that becomes knowing, a gateway to grasp spiritual truth (reality) from a physical plane.. Comprehension.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"My beloved brothers"--again, a reminder that he is speaking to believers here, and that they are beloved, with <i>agapeo </i>love. Divinely loved ones. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Everyone should be...</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"quick" --Greek here means swift, speedy, prompt, ready.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">to "listen"--hear, listen, comprehension</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">"Slow"--HELPS says here "slow as in taking time to deliberate, unhurried, while still moving forward after considering all the facts"</span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">to "speak"--Greek word <i>lalos, </i>which means talkative or to chatter.</span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">Slow to "anger"--The Greek word here means "violent passion" , and implies punishment/vengeance. HELPS describes it as to teem, swelling up to constitutionally oppose...it proceeds from an internal disposition which steadfastly opposes something or someone based on extended personal experience.</span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">It's that feeling we get when we can feel the indignation and desire to make things right welling up from the pit of our stomach. </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">The word here isn't referring to a sudden outburst, but is the same word used to refer to God's fixed, controlled, passionate feeling against sin. For God, this is just and righteous, as vengeance belongs to Him. </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;">The Benson Commentary says, </span></font></div><div><font face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><blockquote><font face="georgia"><span class="ital" style="background-color: white; color: #552200; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Wherefore </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">— As if he had said, Since you are regenerated, and that by the word of God, therefore </span><span class="ital" style="background-color: white; color: #552200; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">let every man be swift to hear </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">— That word; let him be willing and desirous to receive instruction from it, and therefore diligent in embracing all opportunities of hearing it; </span><span class="ital" style="background-color: white; color: #552200; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">slow to speak </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">— To deliver his opinion in matters of faith, that he does not yet well understand. Persons half instructed frequently have a high opinion of their own knowledge in religious matters, are very fond of teaching others, and zealous to bring them over to their opinions. That the converted Jews were fond of being teachers, we learn from </span><a href="https://biblehub.com/james/3-1.htm" style="background-color: white; color: #008ae6; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;" title="My brothers, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.">James 3:1</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">; </span><a href="https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/1-7.htm" style="background-color: white; color: #008ae6; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.">1 Timothy 1:7</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">. </span><span class="ital" style="background-color: white; color: #552200; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Slow to wrath </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">— Against those that differ from him. Intemperate religious zeal is often accompanied by a train of bad passions, and particularly with anger against those who differ from us in opinion. The Jews, even the Jewish Christians to whom this letter was chiefly written, were very faulty in this respect. The apostle, however, may be understood as cautioning his readers against easily yielding to provocation in any respect whatever, and especially when injuriously treated by their persecutors.</span></font></blockquote><div><br></div><div><b>1:20 </b><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.</span> </b></div></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>For the anger of man-- Greek word <i>orge--</i>same word used in v. 19. </div><div><br></div><div>"does not" --absolute negative--leaves no room for any other option</div><div><br></div><div>bring about the "righteousness"--Greek word here means justification, justice, divine righteousness, the approval of God. HELPS Word Studies says "what is deemed right by the Lord after His examination", a condition acceptable to God. </div><div><br></div><div>The anger of man <i>cannot </i>bring about the righteousness of God. Our anger does not bring about the approval of God. </div><div><br></div><div>I found it interesting that one of the meanings of "righteousness" in the Greek here is "justice". Justice is such a huge topic in our culture today. As Christians we are definitely to act justly and to seek justice for the oppressed. (Isa. 1:17, Micah 6:8, etc.) However, James is saying here that our human anger cannot bring about justice. If we truly want justice, true, Biblical, godly justice, we cannot achieve it through anger. We cannot use the world's ways to accomplish the righteousness of God. </div><div><br></div><div><b>1:21 </b><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><b><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Therefore </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">meekness the implanted word, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">which is able to save your souls.</span></font></b></div><div><b><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></b></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Therefore"--On which account, consequently</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"get rid" --lay off or aside, put away, renounce, cast off. It's the same Greek word used for "lay aside the old nature" in Ephesians 4:22. </span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"of all"-- All means all, as more than one of our pastors says. All, every, every kind of. Don't keep any of it!</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"moral filth"--pollution, defilement, dirtiness. </span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">and expression of evil (or in ESV, "rampant wickedness"--abundant badness, depravity, wicked disposition. </span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"and humbly"--Humble here means meekness with divine origin, according to HELPS Word Studies, "expressing power with reserve and gentleness":</span></font></div><div><blockquote style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For the believer, meekness (</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">/praýtēs</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, "gentle-force") </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">begins</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> with the Lord's inspiration and </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">finishes</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> by His direction and empowerment. It is a </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">divinely-balanced</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: roboto, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> virtue that can only operate through faith (cf. 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22-25).</span></blockquote><div style="font-family: georgia;">I love that--meekness as "gentle-force"!! </div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">So when we cast off that moral filth and rampant wickedness, we aren't to be prideful or puffed up about it, but instead to be humble and meek, "expressing power with reserve and gentleness". When we receive His Word correctly, we will receive it with meekness and humility. If we are proud and puffed up about it, something is wrong! Because we are again reminded that it is <i style="font-weight: bold;">all </i>the Lord's work in us, and only by faith, which He also gives. </div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">That just keeps coming up--that it <i style="font-weight: bold;">all </i>comes from Him. It's all His work. </div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">So we are to humbly "receive"--take, accept, welcome</div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">The "Word"--again, <i>logos, </i>used specifically to mean the expression of the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit--the Word of God</div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">"Planted in you"--inborn, rooted, implanted. It's the picture of a plant shoot being engrafted into a plant. It is established in us and allows fruit to develop. </div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">Which can "save"--heal, rescue--to deliver out of danger into safety--God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin. </div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">"Your souls"--Soul meaning vital breath, breath of life, a person who has had a sould breathed in by God.</div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br></div><div style="font-family: georgia;">1:22 <b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">But be </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.</span></b></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"doer" -- carrier out, one who obeys or fulfills the law. </span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Ellicott's Commentary says, "Acting up to thier full knowledge.There is a force in the original phrase that English doesn't provide. "</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Of the Word, and not "hearers only" --not merely listners to</span></font></div></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Otherwise you are "deceiving"--deceive= reason falsely, mislead, to misreckon or delude.</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Ellicott's Commentary says, </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Acting up to the full of their knowledge, whether gained by the spoken or the written Word of God. There is a force in the original sentence, which our own language cannot supply. The term “deceiving” is the contrary of that rendered “word,” and means its corruption; the Word which is the source of knowledge and life may be so handled as to cause error and death. No acquaintance with the Bible, apart from the practice of its precepts, will avail the Christian any more than it did the Jew. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers shall be justified” (</span><a href="https://biblehub.com/romans/2-13.htm" style="background-color: white; color: #008ae6; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;" title="(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.">Romans 2:13</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">). Those who deceive themselves may not altogether be hypocrites; there is a subtler danger of being blind, and nevertheless exclaiming “We see.”</span></blockquote><div><br></div><div><b>1:23 <span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.</span> </b></div></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b><br></b></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;">For anyone who hears but does not carry it out--Word for carry it out is the same word for "doers" above</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;">Is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after 'observing" --perceiving, taking not of, observing fully</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;">Himself, foes away and "immediately"--soon, at once</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;">"Forgets"--to lost out of mind or to neglect</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;">what he looks like</span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1:25 </b></span></font><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> the one who looks into the perfect law, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">he will be blessed in his doing.</span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">But the one who"looks intently"--Greek means to stoop to look, to peer in. It's an intentional studying</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"into the perfect"--complete, full-grown, consummated goal</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">"Law" --Scripture, the Gospel</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">of "liberty" --freedom from slavery</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">and continues to do so, not being a "forgetful"--negligent, oblivious, failing to notice</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Hearer, but an effective doer, he will be "blessed"--same word from earlier in James, "makarios"--supremely blessed--in what he does. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>I warned you these notes were rough! But these verses--so much great truth packed in them! </b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br></b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>If you have things to share or questions, I'd love to hear them in the comments here or by message on FB or IG. (Don't message me through the contact box here on the blog right now--it's set up with an old email address--it's on my list to get changed but I haven't made it that far yet! 😳) </b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br></b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br></b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></blockquote></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></font></div></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-67680288402069513532020-07-24T14:11:00.000-05:002020-07-24T14:13:09.117-05:00Wisdom, Faith, and the Crown of Life<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>James 1:5-15<div><br></div><div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Years ago, Bro. Kent said in a sermon, "We don't have to <i>make </i>God's Word relevant; God's Word <i>IS </i>relevant." That is so true, and this James study has been such a reminder of that! James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote this book roughly 2000 years ago, but it applies so perfectly to life right now, today. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">One thing to remember when studying the book of James is that it is a letter written to believers. That was especially helpful to me in unpacking some of this week's verses. </span></font></div></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><b>1:5 If</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b> any of you lacks wisdom, </b></span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">let him ask God, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">What am I lacking wisdom about today? This was the first question I asked myself when starting my study of these verses. I had a long list! Anyone else? :-) Normal everyday stuff--family needs, finances, scheduling, health stuff--intense stuff, including major health issues we're seeking answers about--and then all the chaos that's going on in the world today--issues surrounding Covid-19, freedom vs. submission and dealing with government overreach, so much cultural unrest--the list just goes on and on and on. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">First, let's look at the word <b>"lacks"</b>. In the Greek, it means "to fail", "to be left behind in", "to fall short of", "to be wanting in", or the one that stuck out most to me, "to be destitute of". He's not just referring to being a little unsure of something, but being completely destitute of wisdom. That is comforting to me, because that's how I feel sometimes--completely destitute of wisdom. But He doesn't leave us there, as we're about to see.</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"Wisdom"</b>--What is it? The Greek word refers to insight, skill, intelligence, clarity. The Greek word used here, <i>sophia, </i>which according to Strong's, is the root word of our words "sophistication" and "philosophy", which mean "the art of using wisdom" and "affection for wisdom". According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, the specific meaning in James 1:5 is "the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living." </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Wisdom involves not only knowing in our heads, but practicing what we know, living it out. It's being able to rightly handle what we know, to use it to live as God calls us to. Wisdom comes from God, not from man.</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">One friend shared this yesterday from her Life Application Bible study notes: "Asking for wisdom is ultimately asking to be like Christ." </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"he should ask God"</b>--When I went through this passage studying the Greek origins of the major words the first time, I skipped over the word "God" in my notes. After all, we know Who James is referring to there; there is no doubt about the meaning. When I went back through my notes later, I was struck by the fact that while there is no doubt about the meaning of the word, it needed to be in my notes! We must not overlook the importance of that word in this verse. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">It is crucial that when we ask for wisdom, we ask in the right place! There are <i>SO </i>many voices out there today trying to convince us that they have the answers. There are writers, speakers, social media influencers, celebrities, politicians, scientists, and many others who want us to believe that <i>they </i>know best. They want us to go to them for information, to look to them for what to think, what to believe, how to act, what to base our lives on. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">There is definitely a place for seeking wise counsel. And we are certainly to be part of a church where the Bible is preached clearly, solidly, and truthfully. Books are wonderful. (Celebrities and politiians not so much! :-D) I have been strengthened and encouraged and taught by posts from godly people online.</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">But we must realize that <i>all wisdom </i>comes from God. (Proverbs 2:6-8, Proverbs (;10, Romans 11:33) When we seek wisdom, we are told to ask <i>God. </i>Any other source must be examined against God's Word. If it doesn't align with the Bible, we must realize that it isn't Truth. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">In our world today, it is so easy to get caught up in and taken in by other voices who aren't speaking God's Truth. Asking God for wisdom and searching His Word will keep us from being "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Ephesians 4:14) </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"Who gives generously"</b>-- "Generously" here means "graciously", "bountifully", "liberally". It's overflowing giving. God isn't stingy with His wisdom! If we ask Him, in faith, believing, He pours out His wisdom to us. He doesn't ration it. I love that description for the way God gives His wisdom to us. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"without finding fault" </b>-- I also love this description of what God <i>doesn't </i>do. "Finding fault" here means "to reproach, revile, upbraid", "to rail at, chide, taunt" And James says, God <i>doesn't</i> do that. He doesn't tear us down. He doesn't jump down our throats, tear our heads off, or mock us. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">I couldn't help but think of how much reviling, upbraiding, railing at, and taunting are going on in our world today. It's everywhere! Even among professing Christians. There are times when we must speak Truth, when we must stand for what is right, when we may need to lovingly confront someone who is wrong. But the Truth must always be spoken in love. (Ephesians 4:15) If God can give wisdom generously without reviling, upbraiding, railing at, taunting, surely we should follow that example. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"it will be given him" </b>--Given here is "a prolonged form of the primary verb 'to give'" in the Greek. It's a promise, and it's ongoing. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1:6-8 </b></span></font><b><span class="text Jas-1-6" id="en-ESV-30256" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jas-1-7" id="en-ESV-30257" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jas-1-8" id="en-ESV-30258" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="text Jas-1-8" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"faith" </b>-- We are told we must ask in faith, so what is that faith? The Greek word here is <i>pistis, </i>from <i>pietho. </i>It means to "persuade, be persuaded, come to trust". It is <i>always</i> a gift from God, and not something that can be produced by people. "<i>Pistis</i> is God's divine persuasion, distinct from human belief/confidence, but involving it." (HELPS Word-studies) </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Secularly, <i>pistis </i>referred to a guarantee or warranty. "In Scripture faith is God's warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed will come to pass (His way)." (HELPS Word-studies)</span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Faith is <i>always </i>received from God and <i>never </i>generated by us. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>"with no doubting"</b>--to doubt here means to hesitate, to waver, to withdraw from. It involves "overjudging", going too far, vacillating. Also, "to be at variance with oneself". The KJV here says "without wavering". </span></font></div><div><br></div><div>"for he who doubts is like a <b>wave </b>of the sea that is <b>driven and tossed by the wind" </b>-- "Wave" here refers to rough water. The original means "billow", "surge", and suggests an uninterrupted succession--not just one wave, but wave after wave. "Driven and tossed by the wind" means to be tossed to and fro, to be agitated (as by a fan or wind). The picture I get here is of one of those huge fans you see at Sam's Club or other stores with a beach ball bouncing in the air above it. That ball is bounching wherever that fan blows it. It has no control over where it goes or what it does. <br></div><div><br></div><div>"For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a <b>double-minded man, unstable in all he does." </b>-- "Double-minded" means wavering, two-spirited, vacillating. "Unstable" means unsettled, almost anarchic. According to Strong's, English doesn't really have a strong enough word to carry this meaning. </div><div><br></div><div><b>1:9-11 <span class="text Jas-1-9" id="en-ESV-30259" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,</span><span class="text Jas-1-10" id="en-ESV-30260" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.</span><span class="text Jas-1-11" id="en-ESV-30261" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.</span></b></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">I think I've been making these verses too hard all these years. First, we have to remember these verses are written to Christians. And they aren't saying the rich brother is wrong or bad for being rich. These verses are an admonition to focus on the eternal, rather than the earthly, no matter if we are the lowly or the rich. They are a reminder that earthly riches and honor will wither, fade, and die. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">The lowly brother is to <b>"boast in his exaltation" </b>-- Boast here means to exult, to glory, to vaunt, to glory proudly. HELPS Word-studies says "living with head held high, boasting from a particular vantage point by having the right base of operation to deal successfully with a matter; refers to God-given confidence." It goes back to that wisdom he was talking about earlier! </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><b>"Lowly" </b>refers to an "inner lowliness describing the person wh o depends on the Lord instead of self. It means being God-reliant rather than sef-reliant, which ironically always exalts a person, bringing their true worth." (HELPS)</div><div><br></div><div><b>"His exaltation" -- </b>high position, eminence, rank, high station. All through God! Not because of self. </div><div><br></div><div>"But the one who is <b>rich" -- </b>wealthy, abounding in, fully resourced, abundantly supplied.</div><div><br></div><div>should exult in his <b>lowly position -- </b>low condition in circumstances, humble state.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking at verses 9-11, the poor should glory in their spiritual wealth and the rich should glory in eternal things. The rich Christ-follower knows that his earthly wealth will pass away into nothing, but he can rejoice in his future humiliation (in the sense of being humbled) at death because he knows he has an eternal future ahead. (Verse by Verse Commentary online) The important thing for all is to keep an eternal point of view. </div><div><br></div><div>Last night a couple of ladies shared about this in terms of contentment--that regardless of one's wealth or status on earth, if our focus is on God, if we realize that all we have is from Him, and that there is eternal glory coming, we can be content in what we have here. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12 that he had learned to be content in all things, in plenty and in want. </div><div><br></div><div>We must keep a proper perspective on physical wealth and focus on spiritual wealth. </div><div><br></div><div>I loved this from Matthew Henry's Commentary: </div><div><br></div><blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments.</span></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div><b>1:12 <span class="text Jas-1-12" id="en-ESV-30262" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span> </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>"Blessed" -- </b>Greek "makarios"-- happy, blessed, to be envied, supremely blessed. </div><div><br></div><div>HELPS says "Makarios ('blessed') describes a believer in enviable ('fortunate') position from receiving God's provisions (favor)--which (literally) <i>extend </i>('make long, large') His grace (benefits). This happens with receiving (obeying) the Lord's inbirthings of faith. Hence, faith/<i>pistis </i>blessed/<i>makarios</i> are closely associated (Romans 4:5-7, 14:22-23; Rev. 14:12-13)."</div><div><br></div><div>"remains <b>steadfast" -- </b>slightly different Greek word here than last week, but basically the same meaning: persevere, endure, have fortitude, bear. It's the same word used in 1 Cor. 13, "love endures all things". It literally means "to stay under". </div><div><br></div><div>HELPS says, "to remain under the load, bearing up, enduring; for the believer, this uniquely happens by God's power." </div><div><br></div><div>Strong's says, "absolutely and emphatically, under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to one's faith in Christ, when trials assail, in tribulation. To cleave faithfully, to wait for the Lord." </div><div><br></div><div><b>"under trial" --</b> experience of evil, solicitation, provocation, adversity. A putting to proof. </div><div><br></div><div>"because when he has <b>stood the test"-- </b>when he has been approved, accepted, "tried, tested, and approved". It's the term used for coins and metals, and indicates one who is of tried faith and integrity.</div><div><br></div><div>"he will receive the <b>crown of life, </b>which God has promised to those who love Him."-- The crown here refers to a garland that indicates honor and glory, it's the crown of victory awarded to the victor in the ancient Greek games. The word for crown here is also the word used for the crown of thorns placed on the head of Christ at His trial.<b> (</b>HELPS) </div><div><br></div><div>Strong's says this refers to the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ; the reward of righteousness.</div><div><br></div><div><b>1:13-15 <span class="text Jas-1-13" id="en-ESV-30263" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jas-1-14" id="en-ESV-30264" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-ESV-30265" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="text Jas-1-15" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br></span></b></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">This tempting to sin discussed here is different than the trials discussed above. Temptation isn't from God. He hates sin, He can't commit sin, and therefore He can't tempt others to sin. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">And yet, as humans, we've been apt to try to blame God for our sin since the very beginning. Remember Adam in the Garden, saying to God that "it was the woman <b style="font-style: italic;">You gave me." </b>God had warned Adam and Eve, had given explicit instructions, and they still chose to sin. Then they tried to blame God for it! We do the same, in so many ways. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">James says here that we must not do this! He then says that we are tempted by our own desire. That old sin nature inside of us causes us to be lured and enticed. We can't even blame our sin on Satan. Yes, he tempts us, but the responsibility for our sin lies inside of us, in our own old nature. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">"Lured" here is a picture of a fish who sees something that looks good and delicious, and yet when the fish takes hold of it, it brings death. Sin looks good to us. It is alluring and enticing. We must use that wisdom from God to turn from it, so that the temptation doesn't give birth to sin, and then in the end bring death. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">Matthew Henry says that "the true origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts." We must constantly look to God and ask for His wisdom and power to avoid the sin that seeks to entangle us. </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;">If you are studying James either via the Messenger Rooms study with us, or on your own, I'd love to hear what God is teaching you through it! Or if you are studying some other part of the Bible, share with us what. You can comment here or on FB or IG. I'd love to hear from you! </span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br></b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br></b></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></font></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-27264438217957776192020-07-17T12:27:00.001-05:002020-07-17T12:27:21.969-05:00Nothing But Joy! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Intro to James:</b></div>
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Most scholars believe the book was written by James the half-brother of Jesus. If so, James went from an unbeliever who openly mocked Jesus to a man gloriously saved when Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection. He became a leader of the church in Jerusalem known for his godliness and devotion to prayer. He was later martyred by an angry crowd of Scribes and Pharisees. </div>
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With such a background, he simply introduces himself as "a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ." He lived the godliness and humility he preached. </div>
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<b>James writes "to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion".</b> </div>
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Dispersion here has a two-fold meaning: Christians (primarily Jewish Christians) scattered due to persecution, and Christians as exiles and strangers on this earth. Can't we relate to that today?? Most of us in the US haven't seen actual persecution yet, but we're certainly seeing more and more animosity, and the possibility of true persecution in our lifetimes seems more and more real. </div>
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With the current pandemic, we may not be scattered geographically as the Christians to whom James was writing, but we are experiencing such a crazy form of "scattering" through social distancing that is new, different, and for most of us, very uncomfortable. Many aren't able to meet together at church, and their corporate worship is through livestreams or other technology. For those who are able to meet together, things are generally very different due to social distancing guidelines. It is so good to be able to meet together at all, but it's also somewhat awkward and weird. </div>
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As American Christians, we've been really comfortable for a long time. As uncomfortable as these times are, perhaps we needed to be jolted out of our comfortable place. James says that our authentic faith is shown by the way we speak and act during times of trial and hardship, and that those times grow and mature that faith so that we may become perfect and complete in Him. Such a timely message for our time, written 2000ish years ago! </div>
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I loved (and was convicted by!) this from a BSF study on the book of James:</div>
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What confusion do you have about your life and your place in the world? Do you struggle to live out what you say you believe? How often do you substitute feelings, fear of consequences, majority opinions, past outcomes, cultural norms, or governmental laws for God's wisdom? Instead, James's message is -- Seek God. Get wisdom. Do the Word." </blockquote>
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<b>James 1:1</b> <br />
1:1 James describes himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word "servant" here is the Greek word "doulos", which means "born bondman or slave". It was interesting to me that this is the same word Mary used of herself when Gabriel announced the coming birth of Jesus.<br />
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1:2-4 We are so tempted to focus on self, and on the trials themselves, during trials. All the "Why?" questions press in. From the BSF notes on this verse: God answers some of these questions in James, but mostly helps us move from "Why me?" to "What will I do now?" Live by fatih.<br />
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Repeated words or ideas in verses 1-4? trials/testing and steadfastness (perseverance, patience, endurance, depending on translation)<br />
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Conditional statements? Trials/faith testing are required for the production of steadfastness, and steadfastness brings maturity and completeness.<br />
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<b>James 1:2</b><br />
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"Count it all joy" --Count= Consider, one translation says "Reckon it"<br />
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"All"--also translated "pure"-- all, the whole, every kind of<br />
The Weymouth New Testament translates this verse, "Reckon it nothing but joy, my brethren, whenever you find yourselves hedged in by various trials."<br />
"nothing but joy" brings a whole new understanding. Am I trying to squeeze some joy out in my trials along with my grumbling, resentment, worry, etc.? "Nothing but joy" doesn't really leave room for that. We are to "reckon it nothing but joy" when we face these trials. Not that we are "putting on a happy face about the situation itself"--we may definitely grieve, be sad, even wrestle with it--but we can have a deep, all-encompassing joy in the God Who is using that trial for our good and His glory, and for the work He is accomplishing in us through it. As one of the ladies said last night (I'm badly paraphrasing her, but this is the gist), we have to look over the trial to God and the work He is doing. THAT is where our joy is.<br />
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"Joy"--gladness, delight, Greek: Chara, xara. Root "xar"--to extend favor, lean towards, be favorably disposed. <br />
HELPS Word Study says: properly, "the awareness of God's favor, joy--grace recognized"<br />
linked to xairo, which means "rejoice because of grace", cheerfulness, calm delight.<br />
I need to letter "calm delight" and hang it on my wall!! "Calm delight" doesn't usually describe my attitude during trials. But what a beautiful goal.<br />
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"When you meet" -- also translated "fall into, encounter, face". The Weymouth translation says, "whenever you find yourself hedged in by various trials." At our old house, we had huge hedges around our yard. I was always amazed at the intricacy and strength of the interior of those hedges. There was no way to push through or make a path, short of a chainsaw. To be surrounded by them would definitely be claustrophobic. That's the way our trials can seem at times...like being surrounded by thick, impassable hedges.<br />
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"trials of various kinds" -- diverse trials...the trials may be very different, but the purpose, instructions, and results are the same.<br />
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<b>James 1:3</b><br />
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For you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance--<br />
The Amplified translates this "Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [ leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].<br />
As my mom said yesterday, that "through experience" part is painful! If only we could learn it just by reading or hearing about it, and not "through experience". But that is how God chooses to do His work in us.<br />
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steadfastness--This word is also translated perseverance, patience, endurance.<br />
According to the KJV dictionary, steadfast means firmly fixed or established, constant, firm, resolute, not fickle or wavering; firmness of mind or purpose, fixedness in principle.<br />
HELPS Word Studies says "Well-stationed, securely positioned, not given to fluctuation or moving off course. I don't know about y'all, but that "moving off course" part is convicting for me . When trials come, I tend to go into survival mode, and often veer waaaaay off course from what I know God's calling and purpose for me is.<br />
Strong's Concordance says the original Greek here is "hypomonen", meaning "to remain under or to stay in place, to bear up under. The characteristic of a man unswerved from his deliberate purpose and loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trails and sufferings."<br />
This is so good from Ellicott's Commentary!<br />
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Do not think the grace will come to its full beauty in an hour. Emotions and sentiment may have their place in the beginning of a Christian career, but the end therof is not yet. Until the soul be quite unmoved by any attack of Satan, the work cannot be deemed "perfect". The doctrine is not mere quietism, much less one of apathy, but rather this, that the conscious strength of patient trust in God is able to say at all times (Psalm 63:8)--My soul hath followed hard on Thee, Thy right hand hath upholden me." And if in this patience we can lean to possess our souls (Luke 21:19), the perfect work of God will be wrought within us. </blockquote>
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A couple of things I notice there--<br />
1. This isn't passive, this steadfastness in trials, but rather very intentional. God does the work, but there is intentional, conscious "work" on our part in this as well.<br />
2. It doesn't happen all at once. It's a process, the process of sanctification. During each trial, He teaches us more, shows us more of Himself, brings us closer to maturity. The perfection won't be complete until heaven, when the glorification happens.<br />
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<b>James 1:4</b><br />
"And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing"<br />
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"Let"--allow, Greek echeto--to have, hold, possess<br />
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"have its full effect"--also translated "finish the work"--to complete, to meet the goal.<br />
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"perfect and complete"--mature, sound, complete in every part, perfectly sound<br />
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"lacking nothing" -- that we are without fault or flaw, a perfect sacrifice offered up to God.<br />
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Matthew Henry says of this passage:<br />
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"Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying or doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it." </blockquote>
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Colossians 4:12 says, "That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God"<br />
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I Thessalonians 5:23-24 --Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.<br />
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I'd love to hear your thoughts on these verses, either in the comments here or on FB/IG!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-87961197949294015112020-07-17T09:15:00.000-05:002020-07-17T09:19:30.036-05:00A Background Tale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Super-quick, roughly lettered verse. Got to the very end and totally wrote the wrong word and had to erase, which made a mess, but didn't have time to redo. Pride says, "You can't use that!" But the truth in the words is what's important, so swallowing the pride and leaving it there. *blush*)</td></tr>
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One evening I was sitting at my desk after supper trying to muster the energy to go upstairs and get ready for bed. I was exhausted and discouraged and feeling just a wee bit overwhelmed As I mindlessly scrolled through Facebook, a friend's post caught my eye. It was a graphic of James 5:11--</div>
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"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.</blockquote>
That word--steadfast--had been popping up all over the place lately. And this verse spoke deeply to my heart in its struggling state.<br />
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I pulled my Bible down from the shelf above me and flipped over to James. I read all of chapter 5, realizing as I did that not only was there much there that spoke to my personal struggles and those of our family right now, but also much that spoke to the things going on in the world around us right now that are also heavy on my heart.<br />
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I backed up and skimmed through the previous chapters, and continued to read things that resonated deeply with me and were so very timely. Bible study had been hard lately, and I had been praying about that and looking for a way to get over the hump, so to speak. As I sat reading various verses in James, almost all of them very familiar and yet new and fresh at the same time, I decided that a deep study of James was just what I needed right now.<br />
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Then I thought, "I wonder if maybe someone else might want to go through James with me--maybe we could do a Zoom study to help with accountability and provide some much-needed fellowship in the process." I began praying about it and decided I'd go ahead and quickly post on Facebook and see if there might be a lady or two who might want to join me.<br />
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God is so good and His ways are so much higher than ours. We had 16 ladies (plus a few more who wanted to but due to tech issues and/or operator error on my part weren't able to yesterday :-( ) between two sessions yesterday studying the first four verses of James. We had some glitches along the way, and it was a bit rough around the edges on my part, but it was such a blessing!! Such wonderful ladies who blessed my heart so much, and the study itself has been exactly what I needed right now.<br />
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I plan to share my notes each week after the study. I hope they'll be helpful for those who were there, for those who missed, and maybe for others as well. Warning--they'll be in rough note form. :) But hopefully they'll make sense!<br />
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Would love to hear from you in the comments or on FB/IG--what are you studying right now? What is God teaching you through it?<br />
<!--3-->Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-64935664203227849522020-07-16T16:01:00.001-05:002020-07-16T16:01:55.791-05:00Long Time, No Write<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div>I didn't intend to take a blog break. But somehow that's exactly what I did. I was posting fairly often through 2015, but I only posted six times in 2016, one apiece the next two years, and none at all last year. 😳<div><br></div><div>I've been feeling a strong pull recently to dust off the blog, share more from the archives, and add new content (hopefully regularly!) The first post or few will be notes from the Bible study on the book of James I'm doing with some ladies online right now. I'm excited about sharing some of the things God is teaching me from it! 😍</div><div><br></div><div>So much has changed since I was blogging regularly. I've changed, there have been lots of changes in our family, the world has certainly changes (and seems to be continuing to change by the moment--hello, Arkansas mask mandate announced this afternoon. 😷) Even the devices/platforms for blogging have changed for me--I'm trying out Blogger for Android for the first time on my phone. We'll see how that goes. (So far I've lost this post twice because the app doesn't autosave--will have to get used to THAT. 😬)</div><div><br></div><div>I'm excited about sharing about some of the changes around here, as well as posts on art/creativity, Bible journaling, handlettering, Bible study/devotional content, family/home/food stuff, etc. 😊</div><div><br></div><div>I'd love to hear about what you'd like to see here as well! You can let me know in the comments or on FB/IG if you have ideas for posts. I'd also love for you to let me know you saw this post! It would be great to know someone is actually reading, as well as helping my currently-non-existent-thanks-to-my-unplanned-break reach. 😁 </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-34909093141401359132018-07-10T09:44:00.000-05:002018-07-11T07:23:14.814-05:00Watercolor Dreams (And Nightmares)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As I sat with a sweet, fun group of ladies yesterday learning to paint simple watercolor flowers, I realized that it had been about 38 years since
I'd sat in a watercolor class (and really any kind of art class at all that I
wasn't teaching, I think??) In the 5th grade I had an experience with an art
teacher/class that caused me for the next 30+ years to feel that I wasn't and
couldn't be artistic/creative. A few words from an elderly art teacher about my
lack of ability in a watercolor class that I loved said to me that not only was
I not good enough then, but I didn't have the potential to<i> ever</i> be good enough. Far into my adult years, those words continued to repeat themselves in my head and tell me that I was not, nor could I ever be, an artist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Many years later, God would begin to work on my heart and mind about the issue
of creativity and the wrong thinking I had allowed to take root. Through a VBS class I was teaching, I discovered that creativity is not something that some people<i> have</i> and some people<i> don't,</i> but that creativity is a character quality that we are to work to develop in ourselves and in our children. I learned that in creating us in His image, God, the ultimate Creator, made us to be creative beings. In the years since, I've learned much about creativity as a form of worship to our Creator God. I've learned about creativity as a mental muscle that strengthens the more we use it (and atrophies when we don't!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">In the last decade and a half, I have taught hundreds of craft classes to adults and children, I've done custom scrapbooking and lettering for friends and clients, and I even had a page published in a national scrapbooking magazine back in the day. :-D I've taught workshops on creativity building for children and adults and written articles for my own blog and others on the topic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">And yet, put a watercolor palette in front of me and a paintbrush in my hand, and I am that 11-year- old girl feeling inadequate and embarrassed and incapable again. I flash back to those words from 5th grade and feel as though it is somehow wrong for me to even be attempting any sort of actual painting outside of a colorwash or simple background. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">As our sweet new friend taught us those simple watercolor techniques yesterday, the negative messages were flooding my mind. Aloud, I was saying, "Watercolor isn't really my medium, but I've been wanting to learn" (I have actually recently come to the point of hesitantly wanting to try it again!), but inside a voice was insisting, "You can't do this. Look how pitiful your flowers are! Some of these ladies know you teach creative classes--they are going to take one look at your page and think you are a fraud!" (That's how I always feel, by the way, when anyone calls me an artist. I am finally getting to the point where I don't<i> always</i> come back with a bunch of disclaimers about the fact that "I am not<i> really</i> an artist; I just love paper and pens and crafty stuff")</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">God has worked good out of that awfully negative experience years ago that affected me so profoundly. He has given me a passion to encourage children as well as adults that we are *all* creative, and that we all can (and should!) work to develop our "creative muscles". One of my greatest joys is to see people of all ages expressing their own God-given creativity in new ways. I love to see someone's eyes light up as they realize "I can do this!" or as they excitedly share something they've made with me or others. It thrills me for a child or adult who has said, "I can't...", to discover that they can, and they enjoy it!</span><br />
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As I mentioned, I have recently, for the first time in all these years, begun to have some hesitant thoughts about giving watercolor painting another try. I think it's no coincidence that I've been wanting to go to this monthly coloring group for years, and the first time we were actually able to work it into our schedule, they deviated from their usual routine and had a mini-class on watercoloring. :-) Although my emotions were quite mixed and my thoughts very jumbled as we painted yesterday, it was a delightful experience overall, and while my creations yesterday were really rough, I'm inspired to keep working on it!<br />
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And I'm thankful for the opportunities God continues to provide to bring healing and growth, even in something relatively insignificant compared to many larger painful things in our lives and the lives of others.<br />
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I'm also reminded again what a huge impact our words can have in our own lives and in the lives of others. That long-ago art teacher has been gone, I'm sure, for many years, and I have been blessed with much encouragement over the years from many people regarding art and creativity. But those few words from decades ago have remained lodged in my heart and mind all these years. Florence Littauer's<i> Silver Boxes</i> illustration is so true! She says that our words are like a tower made of silver boxes--it takes many boxes to build the tower, but only one "box" of negative words to knock it completely down.<br />
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My challenge to you today is two-fold. First--do something creative today! Anything. Take five minutes and an index card or piece of scrap paper, and do a tiny bit of doodle art. Write a note to a spouse, child, or friend and do something simple to make it cute or pretty. Pick a word and try a new lettering style. Grab your phone and take a picture of something beautiful in nature just because. Cut some flowers from the yard and arrange them in a jar.<br />
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Second, encourage someone today. A total stranger walked up and gave me a very unexpected compliment yesterday. It was very simple, a little odd, and I thought to myself that she probably needed glasses, but it encouraged me nonetheless. Give a heartfelt compliment to a stranger, or say something to someone you love that they really need to hear. Or both!<br />
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I'd love to hear about what you do in the comments or on Facebook or Instagram! :)<br />
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Read more about creativity...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2007/08/living-creatively.html">Living Creatively</a><br />
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<a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2013/07/teaching-creativity-when-you-dont-feel.html">Teaching Creativity When You Don't Feel Creative (And Why Do I Need to Teach Creativity Anyway?)</a> (This article is not just for teachers and parents--good creativity info for all of us. :))<br />
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<a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2013/08/teaching-creativity-creativity.html">Teaching Creativity: Creativity Challenges for Kids</a><br />
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<a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2013/08/20-resources-for-teaching-creativity.html">20 Resources for Teaching Creativity</a><br />
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<a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2013/07/teaching-creativity-where-do-we-start.html">Teaching Creativity: Where Do I Start?</a><br />
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<a href="https://jenbh.blogspot.com/2009/05/creativity-somewhat-random-thoughts.html">Creativity ~ Somewhat Random Thoughts</a><br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-55636898928231312702017-07-18T14:13:00.000-05:002017-07-18T14:13:10.343-05:00Simple Woman's Daybook {It's Been a Long Time Edition}<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>For Today</b></div>
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July 18, 2017 </div>
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<b>Looking out my window</b></div>
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<b> </b>Sun streaming through the tree branches. It's gearing up to be a very hot day. </div>
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It's been a very long time since I've done a "Daybook" post (or blogged at all, for that matter!) For various reasons, I've been wanting to get back on the blogging wagon lately, and as I was reading through old blog posts this morning, I decided a Daybook post would be a fun way to ease back in. :) <b> </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful</b></div>
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Oh, so thankful for God's faithfulness always! This time of year always brings much reflection along with anniversary dates of some of our hardest days ever. I am so thankful that God is so good to send reminders of His faithfulness, sovereignty, and care along with those memories. So thankful also for my family, our church families, and dear friends who have borne and continue to bear burdens with us, pray for us, make us laugh, and just "do life" with us in ways that make it so much richer! </div>
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<span style="line-height: 25.2px;">This morning I've been reminded how much I treasure my old blog posts. Such a blessing to be reminded of the funny, the serious, and the wonders of God in our story over these years. </span><b><span style="line-height: 25.2px;"> </span></b></div>
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<b>I am creating</b></div>
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Lettering projects, for family and friends and perhaps some to sell. :) </div>
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Also working on a possible youth girls Bible study/life planning workshop based on an expansion of the planner class I did at the Solid Rock Friday night. Excited about the possibilities! </div>
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<span style="line-height: 25.2px;">Shorts and a Tulsa Lifeflight t-shirt. :) I have a whole wardrobe of various EMS-related shirts, thanks to Billy's work contacts. *big grin*</span></div>
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Currently reading Steven Curtis Chapman's <i>Between Heaven and the Real World </i>with Ammah Grace. We're just getting started good, but we are really enjoying it so far. His music, and even more his and his family's testimony after the tragic death of his daughter Maria, have ministered to me so much over the years. I'm looking forward to the rest of this book so much!</div>
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I also just re-read Anne Ortlund's <i>Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman </i>in preparation for last Friday night's planner class. I first read it close to 40 years ago and it's possible I've read it close to 40 times. Other than the Bible, it's one of the top five most influential books of my life, and I so needed to read it again right now (and not just for class! :)) If you haven't read it, I highly recommend you do (and for local folks, the Solid Rock had them in stock Friday. I have no idea how many sold, but if they are out, they can order it. :)) </div>
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<b>I am hoping</b></div>
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Seriously hoping that the weather folks are wrong about the coming "heat wave". The milder summers the last year or two have been so nice, particularly since our old house doesn't have central air. :) <b> </b>I'm especially dreading the promised heat wave due to Peter working at the farm. He may be all grown up now, but this Mama still worries about heat stroke and such. *Sigh*</div>
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<b>I am learning</b></div>
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<b> </b>to better manage my minutes (not for the first time *blush*)</div>
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<b>In my kitchen</b></div>
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Trying to manage to stay somewhat on plan with our WOE (way of eating) without using the oven during these hot days. </div>
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<b>In the school room</b></div>
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I am hoping to get some serious planning done for fall semester this week, both for our own schooling and for our homeschool group activities. </div>
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This spot is for a favorite link. I just happened to have spent some time this morning reading back through old blog posts, and I ran across this one. It connected, in an odd way, with the planner class I taught Friday night and with some conversations I've had lately. Continuing to see similar things and continuing to pray for a depth revival, followed by a breadth revival! </div>
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http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2008/08/depth.html</div>
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<b>Shared Quote</b><br />
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“<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most people don't
think in terms of minutes. They waste all the minutes. Nor do they
think in terms of their whole lives. They operate in the mid-range of
hours or days. So they start over again every week, and spend another
chunk unrelated to their lifetime goals. They are doing a random walk
through life, moving without getting anywhere.” (Alan Lakein)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was one from Friday night's class. I'm really working on focusing on the big picture and the minutes, instead of getting stuck in the day-to-day, week-to-week right now. </span></span></div>
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<b>A moment from my day</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiG9D18scp4/WW5dDZI0LrI/AAAAAAAAolk/wtNZzIQ1lMYUbtBtwNxx8gnMo9UTbGJHwCLcBGAs/s1600/tiny%2Bcanvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiG9D18scp4/WW5dDZI0LrI/AAAAAAAAolk/wtNZzIQ1lMYUbtBtwNxx8gnMo9UTbGJHwCLcBGAs/s320/tiny%2Bcanvas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny 2x2 canvas Em painted for me. It sits on my desk and makes me happy. :) </td></tr>
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<i><br /></i><b>Closing Notes</b></div>
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I am hoping and praying that this is the beginning of resuming regular posting here. I would love to hear from you in the comments--something from the blog in the past that has been an encouragement or brought a smile, something you'd like to see on the blog in the future, or just a word of encouragement! Would also love to connect with you via social media! you can <span style="font-size: small;">f<span><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;">ollow the blog </span><b><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "tahoma"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;">via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;">sign
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "tahoma"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "tahoma"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;">Thanks for coming by!! </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "tahoma"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "tahoma"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia","times new roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;">Thanks to Peggy for hosting the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a>!! Please go visit her to see what others are sharing. </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span><b> </b><br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-85379996915158589162016-12-21T13:45:00.002-06:002016-12-21T13:46:27.191-06:00"Even If Not" and a Blurry Pair of Socks <br />
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This photo was taken five years ago today. It's blurry and just pretty much pitiful in general, but I am so thankful I have it! It's yet another reminder of God's faithfulness and care for even the smallest needs of His children. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IufWVWvYei0/WFrYnni3SII/AAAAAAAAlUk/E9ZAODWWS78oH1a2kSCj_XM-p5VPInjCQCLcB/s1600/sock%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IufWVWvYei0/WFrYnni3SII/AAAAAAAAlUk/E9ZAODWWS78oH1a2kSCj_XM-p5VPInjCQCLcB/s320/sock%2Bpic.jpg" title="" width="228" /></a></div>
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Five years ago this morning I received one of those calls parents dread. Bayley had collapsed at the Acteen sleepover, and they had called an ambulance. Because she was in a locked bathroom at the time, no one really knew what had happened. There had been lots of noise, including her fall, and she had been unresponsive for a time.</div>
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I had just had a shower in preparation to pick her up later that morning, and as I frantically finished getting ready, I fought tears and prayed panicked prayers. I reached in the drawer for a pair of socks and realized there were none. It had been a rough month, with my own health issues (including a trip to the ER), random other life complications, and the death of Jodie's mother-in-law a few days earlier. Add in the usual holiday busy-ness and I was a bit behind on everything, including laundry. </div>
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I choked out "God, socks?!?!" as I frantically dug in the mountain of clean, unfolded laundry, which apparently did not contain two remotely matching socks my size. Then I remembered. </div>
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The girls had had a sock exchange at the sleepover the night before. Jodie and I had gone to buy socks for the girls, and not knowing which pair Rachel might want, Jodie bought two. When we got to the sock exchange, Rachel picked a pair, and Jodie gave me the others, which I had admired earlier. I had stuck them in my bag and not given them another thought. </div>
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As I yanked them on, slid into my shoes, and raced out the door, God reminded me that if He could take care of something as inconsequential as socks, He could take care of whatever was wrong with Bayley as well. Although the whole thing was a horribly unpleasant surprise to us, it was no surprise to Him, and He was in control and holding us, as He has reminded me so many, many times over the years, in the palm of His hand. </div>
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We didn't get any answers that day. She checked out fine by the EMTs other than some possible and understandable altered mental state issues immediately after she regained consciousness. I posted this later that day: </div>
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"Update for all who were involved in the excitement at the Acteen sleepover this morning...Bayley seems to be fine. We went by Billy's work and they did a little more in-depth checking, and everything looks normal. We're supposed to watch her for 24 hours, but hopefully it was just lack of sleep...which she is catching up on even as we speak! <span class="m_-6766549539163896695gmail-_47e3 m_-6766549539163896695gmail-_5mfr" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="m_-6766549539163896695gmail-img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f4c/1/16/1f642.png" width="16" /><span class="m_-6766549539163896695gmail-_7oe">:)</span></span> Huge thanks to everyone for the help, concern, and prayers this morning."</div>
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Reading that status five years later is almost surreal. I remember desperately hoping that was all there was to it, while having a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that something more was going on. None of us had any idea how dramatically Bay's life and all of our lives were about to change. </div>
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We would later realize that that was actually her first known tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure, and a few months later we would finally get the diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. We are so very thankful for 3+ years of being seizure-free, thanks to good meds, careful life management, and God's grace and mercy. But epilepsy continues to impact her life and our family daily. </div>
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Even though she hasn't had a seizure, this has definitely been the hardest year epilepsy-wise. She's had lots of pre-seizure type activity and other neurological challenges, partly due to the impact of stress and trauma issues this year, and possibly due to other, unidentified factors. We are thankful that we've been led to additional changes this year that seem to be slowly helping, and we are hopeful that we will be able to say that 2017 was a much better year, epilepsy-wise. </div>
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"But even if not", as we are reminded in Daniel 3, we will continue to trust, and obey, and tell of His faithfulness and glory. "Even if not", He is still good. He has given us many, many more stories like the sock story from that scary day in the intervening five years. He has answered many prayers with yes. He has given miracles large and small. </div>
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There have also been prayers that have been answered in ways we wouldn't have chosen. There have been more disappointments than we could list, and more tears than we could begin to count. But He is still good!! He tells us He collects those tears in a bottle. (Psalm 56:8) He cares about every one. He is using the disappointments, the sadness, the uncertainty, the scary times, the painful stuff to make us more like Him, to draw us closer to Himself, and to remind us to lean on Him completely. </div>
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<span class="reftext"></span>Count it all joy, my brothers,<span class="footnote"></span> when you meet trials of various kinds, <span class="reftext"></span>for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. <span class="reftext"></span>And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ~James 1:2-4</div>
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<span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-ESV-29015">But he said to me, <span class="woj">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</span> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-ESV-29016"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10</span></blockquote>
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I am so thankful for the assurance that whatever comes, He is in control, and He holds us in the palm of His hand. I am so thankful for the comfort of knowing that all that comes to us is part of His perfect plan for our good and for His glory. And I am so thankful for the reminder in a blurry pair of socks. *heart* </div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-2265550190435178712016-11-21T11:16:00.004-06:002016-11-21T20:51:23.899-06:00Sharing our {Re}Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Great is Thy Faithfulness! These words have been cycling through my mind constantly over the last few days. John had selected this as one of our hymns for Sunday, and while I ended up not making it to church on Sunday, I had practiced and prepared and this song had lodged in my mind and heart.<br />
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I woke up this morning with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Today had been on the calendar for weeks as "ReStory Day". As I said to a friend this morning, "While I am so thankful for all that God has done to bring us to this point, and praying that God will use this to bring others to hope in Him, it's also a little scary..."<br />
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"Scary" for lots of reasons. Scary because 10 years ago, we would never have dreamed that we'd be sharing this story publicly at all, much less to such a wide audience. Scary because we know there are those who won't understand or agree with our sharing. Scary because it's painful on a lot of levels, for us and for others. Scary because sexual abuse and the devastation it brings to everyone touched by it is such a huge weapon of the enemy in our day, and we know from experience that when we share our story of hope and God's glory, the enemy steps up his attacks.<br />
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But we are so thankful that our God is greater. Greater than all the scary. Greater than our own hesitation. Greater than the worst trauma we can imagine. He is faithful and true and sovereign and sufficient and GOOD, and He loves us with an unfathomable love. He is Wonderful Counselor and Jehovah Rapha, the God Who heals.<br />
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When our world exploded a little over a decade ago, I tried to find resources to help families seeking to deal with this type of trauma in a Biblical way. There was very, very little available at the time. I remember crying out to God for tangible help and hope, and clinging to Him as "Wonderful Counselor" (Isa. 9:6) He has been so faithful to show Himself to us as Wonderful Counselor all along the way, and to send people and resources to help.<br />
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One of the first people He sent was Mary DeMuth. I ran across a video clip online of her sharing a bit of her testimony of being molested as a five-year-old girl and the work God had done and continued to do in her life since. It was one of the first glimmers that there was truly hope in our situation. I emailed her later and shared a bit of our story and thanked her for sharing hers and allowing God to use it to minister to us.<br />
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Over the years, I've been on launch teams for several of Mary's books, and at one point had a <a href="http://www.marydemuth.com/we-cant-ignore-abuse-victims-any-longer-part-1/">guest post on her blog</a> about ministering to abuse/trauma victims and their families in the church. Her books and ministry have continued to minister to me and to our family.<br />
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Earlier this year, Bayley <a href="http://bayleykatherine.blogspot.com/2016/07/untitled.html">shared her story</a> on her blog. As I was sending the link to some who'd asked for it, I thought, "I should send this to Mary DeMuth and say thank you again for allowing God to use her in ministering to us through her story." I didn't know if she would even remember me or our story, but I prayed over it, wrote a note of "re-introduction", and sent the link.<br />
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Mary did remember our story, and after we had messaged back and forth a few times, she asked if Bay and I would be willing to be interviewed for her ReStory podcast.<br />
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I was reminded immediately of <a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2012/05/thankful-thursdaydesires-of-my-heart.html">this blog post</a>, where I shared about God changing the desires of my heart dramatically in the area of sharing our story. That post shares some important things about one of my long-time favorite verses, Psalm 37:4. Here's an excerpt:<br />
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God has worked a complete 180 in my heart...from praying that our story
would never be public to praying that nothing about our story would be
wasted...that we would "steward our story well", as Mary Beth Chapman
says. My heart's desire is that God would get every ounce of glory
possible out of our situation, and that He would use us to comfort and
help others, as He provided comfort and help for us. Some time ago, I
began to actually pray that God would give opportunities for me to share
for His glory and to minister to others. </blockquote>
I talked to Billy and talked to Bay, we prayed about it, and then said yes.<br />
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I was reminded again recently of this quote from John Piper: <br />
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"If we are comforted, it is for your comfort." 2 Cor. 1:6. Don't waste your comfort on yourself. Sweeten it by spreading it.</blockquote>
God has comforted us in so many ways through these years, and He continues to as we continue to deal with the lifelong effects of this particular trauma and other hard life stuff. As I said in the Psalm 37:4 post linked above, He showed us early on that we couldn't comfort others with the comfort He has given without being willing to share our story. As much as that was not in any way our natural inclination, He has changed our hearts and allowed that sharing to minister to others even as it has been a huge part of our own healing.<br />
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Today, on "ReStory Day", He has again shown His faithfulness in so many ways: in the incredible sunrise as I took Billy to work this morning, in the words to the hymn with which I opened this post, in the message from a friend this morning saying she didn't know what was going on with us today, but God had put us strongly on her heart and mind and she was praying for us (isn't God SO INCREDIBLY <i><b>GOOD</b></i>????? And so thankful for friends who listen to His promptings and obey and then share! *bigheart*), and in being reminded of His work for His glory and our good through listening for the first time to the ReStory interview this morning.<br />
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You can listen to the interview <a href="http://restory.libsyn.com/season-2-episode-11-jen-and-bayley?tdest_id=405292">here</a>. (Please feel free to share this post and the podcast link via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, etc., especially if you know someone dealing with abuse or other trauma. You can also follow the <span style="font-size: small;">blog via </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a><i><b>, </b></i></span></span></i></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">or </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">sign
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">More resources on child protection<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, fi<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nding <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">h<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ope in abuse and traum<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">a, <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and</span> dealing with suffering can be found <a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/search?q=child+protection">here</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-9444330546678171062016-08-07T21:03:00.000-05:002016-08-07T21:03:40.149-05:00"But today, His plan was Yes"<div data-contents="true">
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<span data-offset-key="83r4c-0-0"><span data-text="true">[This started out as a Facebook update, but it got even longer than my occasionally really long FB statuses and I decided perhaps it should be a blog post instead. It's not polished, or edited, or written remotely well. This one's all about the content. :)] </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="83r4c-0-0"><span data-text="true">Warning--this is long. Y'all know being concise is not exactly my thing to begin with, and the tireder I am, the less able I am to condense. Sorry about that, but please hang in to the end, okay? :) ) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9ua5q-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am utterly exhausted and not sure I can even write coherently, but I have to follow up on this morning's post about rejoicing in the day the Lord has made regardless of how hard it is. Today we had a fellowship planned at church. Bay had requested a while back to plan one, and she had been SO excited about doing this today. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3pefu-0-0"><span data-text="true">Then last night she had sleep issues. She woke up sometime around 3 (I think) and then called me about 4. When she wasn't back to sleep by 6, I realized there was no way she was going to be able to get to church this morning. I began to devise plan B, which was for Billy to stay home with her while I went to play the piano for the morning service, then I would leave during the sermon to come home and pick them up and take them back to church in time for lunch and the afternoon service. It wasn't an ideal plan in any way, but at least she would get there for some of the day. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="54g7i-0-0"><span data-text="true">When she wasn't asleep by 7:45, I began to realize that more than likely she wouldn't be able to go at all. Even to leave the house by 11:45, she would have to be awake by 9:45, There was just no way, with the way her sleep has to work to prevent seizures, that that could possibly happen. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3pra6-0-0"><span data-text="true">I cried this morning. A lot. We had just had a conversation yesterday about the fact that this has been "The Summer of Disappointment" for Bay. She has never been hit with so many things in such a short time that she has either had to miss completely or sit on the sidelines and watch. She always has a great attitude about it, but it's hard. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cte4d-0-0"><span data-text="true">I had said elsewhere this morning, "She is clinging to Jesus, and working to choose joy, but it still just HURTS, even in that. I have said over and over this week even that I am so thankful for the growth God is working in her life and the ways He is drawing her closer and closer to Him through all the painful stuff. But I just want her to have a little break sometimes and be able to just enjoy something like a simple fellowship..." </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="hvti-0-0"><span data-text="true">My heart was breaking, but God keeps reminding me, over and over about trusting, obeying, and rejoicing. So I just kept praying, "God, I don't understand this, and I just can't even face the thought of this child being hurt one. more. time. right now, but I know you love her more than I do, and I know you know better than I do, and I know you are working for our good and your glory, and I WILL rejoice, even if I'm sobbing at the same time." I sang the little chorus, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" over and over through quivering lips. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="a529k-0-0"><span data-text="true">Somewhere around 9, I went in to get the other girls up. I was quietly telling them Plan C for the morning when Bay rolled over and said, "I think I can go." I said, "You think you can be ready if I come back and get you and Daddy at 11:45?" To which she replied, "no, I think I can be ready and just go to church." </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d7gm0-0-0"><span data-text="true">At that point, I have to admit, my thought was, "there is no way she is going to be able to get up and get ready for church that soon without having a seizure. We're going to end up ending our 3 years seizure free right here this morning." But I said, "Well, okay, just please don't push it." </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c2kcn-0-0"><span data-text="true">By 10:20, we were in the van on the way to church. Bay was tired but fine. I got in the van thanking God for a true mini-miracle. I've thanked Him over and over again all day. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9a3j1-0-0"><span data-text="true">There will be more disappointments--for all my kids. Watching my children deal with disappointment is one of my very top least favorite things in the whole world. I hate it. I always have, long before disappointment became such a frequent and unwelcome part of life for one of them thanks to epilepsy. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2pl56-0-0"><span data-text="true">Choosing to rejoice is not a magic bullet. "Rejoice in the Lord and He'll fix your problem" is not in the Bible. There are lots of times when we rejoice through tears. There are lots of times when it takes us a good long time to get to the point of rejoicing (especially this mama!) He is gracious and merciful to send reminders of His faithfulness, goodness, and love over and over to remind us to rejoice. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dfodm-0-0"><span data-text="true">There were lots of prayers for Bay to be able to make this thing this morning~this thing that would seem in some ways to be not a big deal, but that today just was. God could have chosen to say, "Not today." And if He had, He would still have been good. He would still have been faithful. And hopefully, we would have continued to choose joy in the hard.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7nba7-0-0"><span data-text="true">But today, His plan was yes. Today He gave us another lived reminder that He is all-powerful, even over the complications of the human brain that even the most brilliant don't completely understand. Today He reminded us again that He cares about the little things. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9hr3n-0-0"><span data-text="true">Bro. Gary reminded us again this morning that our purpose on earth is to glorify God. Through the craziness of the last decade, He has given that as our greatest hearts' desire. Through the devastating, through the wonderful, that He would get glory through the story He is weaving in our lives and in our family. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9hdi3-0-0"><span data-text="true">We don't always do well with that. There are days I just flop miserably in that regard. The pity party beckons, and I eagerly accept the invitation to wallow and worry. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8nfj8-0-0"><span data-text="true">But prayerfully those days will continue to get fewer and farther between as He Who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it. And we will continue to share His faithfulness, in the little things and the big things, for His glory and in hopes that it will encourage others. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4g8gf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Today, from beginning to end, is the day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4g8gf-0-0"><span data-text="true">~~~ </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can follow <span>the blog </span></span><span><b><span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span>via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span>sign
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-78582885251730571962016-05-09T11:58:00.001-05:002016-05-09T11:58:48.812-05:00What's Your Favorite??I always feel a little weird when people start discussing "favorites". Favorite colors, favorite books, favorite foods...everyone else always seems to have definite answers, and I'm always trying to narrow down a mile-long list.<br />
<br />
Hymns may be one of the longest lists, and one of the hardest to narrow down for me. I've been known to say, "most of the Baptist hymnal...and a few that aren't in there!" And that's pretty true. I love hymns, and so many are so precious to me for so many reasons.<br />
<br />
I realized yesterday that if I were forced to decide on a "life hymn", it would have to be "He Keeps Me Singing". Maybe it's because I've always loved to sing, but I've always loved the chorus. It's one of those you just almost can't sing without it bringing a huge smile. And the verses cover it all...salvation, joy and grace, suffering and trials, and our sure hope of heaven.<br />
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The summer I was 17, this hymn took on new meaning. I had really wrestled about spending my usual 3 weeks at summer camp in Lousiana as a "Whitefoot" (Jr. Volunteer Staffer/Counselor) because my grandfather was in the last stages of cancer. We had finally decided that I should go ahead and fulfill my commitment. It was a hard time in a lot of ways. Health and job issues in our family, my grandfather's illness, and the beginnings of turmoil in our beloved church.<br />
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I remember standing in the chapel singing this song one evening that summer and the words taking on a whole new meaning...especially the fourth verse. It became my theme song for that summer, which included my grandfather's death just a few days later, and throughout the coming year, in which we would end up leaving the church I'd grown up in to help start a new church in western Conway, among other difficult days.<br />
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It's continued to be a favorite in the years since, but this year it's become especially precious again. I'm always amazed when John sends the hymns for the week, as it so often seems that God has hand-picked just the hymns I need to be immersed in as I practice each day. This week's were especially good for a hard week: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "Amazing Grace", "I Stand Amazed in the Presence", and then "He Keeps Me Singing". I practically wore the piano out with the last one in particular this week.<br />
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Then I realized that the last one was actually the one scheduled for Sunday night, but we weren't having services Sunday night due to Mother's Day. I sent a special request to Bro. Gary and to John that we add it Sunday morning, and they were kind to oblige. :)<br />
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It was our last hymn for the morning, and Bro. Gary said something about singing it all day long. I actually did, catching myself singing it as I took pictures in the rain on the Mother's Day drive my family indulged me in and as I walked through the grocery store later in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
If you've read here much, you know I love hymn stories. I always think of this as such a cheerful, encouraging hymn, and yet it was written out of great sorrow. Luther Bridgers was preaching at a conference when he received a phone call from home. He answered excited to tell his wife all the great things God was doing at the conference, only to discover that she and their three sons had perished in a house fire.<br />
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"He Keeps Me Singing" was written out of his grief in this horrible loss.<br />
<br />
I was struck all over again this week at how many of our greatest hymns have come from hymn-writers who have known great suffering. What a testimony!<br />
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<div class="document lyrics">
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
There’s within my heart a melody</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Jesus whispers sweet and low,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
In all of life’s ebb and flow.<span class="refrain"> </span></div>
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<span class="refrain"> </span></div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
<span class="refrain">Refrain:</span> </div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Sweetest Name I know,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Fills my every longing,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Keeps me singing as I go.</div>
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</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Discord filled my heart with pain,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Jesus swept across the broken strings,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Stirred the slumb’ring chords again.</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
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<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Feasting on the riches of His grace,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Resting ’neath His shelt’ring wing,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Always looking on His smiling face,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
That is why I shout and sing.</div>
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</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Trials fall across the way,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
See His footprints all the way.</div>
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<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Soon He’s coming back to welcome me,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
Far beyond the starry sky;</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
I shall reign with Him on high.
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<div class="document lyrics">
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
~Luther Bridgers</div>
<div class="verses" data-editable="tt3_music|url=He_Keeps_Me_Singing|verses">
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Do you have a favorite hymn? Or a few? I'd love to hear about them in the comments! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></b>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-19785032096625664292016-02-03T12:36:00.001-06:002016-02-03T14:31:54.050-06:00{Pondering Protection} Resource List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vc4RcUdPL4M/VrJch5MOPDI/AAAAAAAAWYY/oHXQaOEPGBA/s1600/child%2Bprotection%2Bresources%2Be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vc4RcUdPL4M/VrJch5MOPDI/AAAAAAAAWYY/oHXQaOEPGBA/s640/child%2Bprotection%2Bresources%2Be.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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I promised this list over a week ago, and I am finally sitting down to type it. It's been one of <i>those </i>weeks this week!<br />
<br />
When our world exploded 9+ years ago, my first response was prayer--desperate, gut-wrenching prayer. My second response was research. I'm a researcher at heart, so that's my typical reaction to pretty much anything: research. What I discovered, however, was that there was really very little out there for families wanting to deal with abuse trauma in a Biblical manner.<br />
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Since then, thankfully, some excellent resources have come along. I'd love to hear from you in the comments or via the contact box in the sidebar if you are aware of other resources for Christian families seeking to deal with abuse trauma in a Biblical way. Here's my list for prevention/protection/trauma response resources:<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Books</b></span><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rid-My-Disgrace-Healing-Victims/dp/1433515989/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454524981&sr=8-1&keywords=rid+of+my+disgrace">Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault</a>, </i>by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb--Published 5 years after our journey began, this is the best resource I've found. The Holcombs deal with this subject Biblically and gracefully.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Made-All-Me-Children/dp/1942572301/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=414hFvfvh9L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR149%2C160_&refRID=17C5PWNVP1S74PYSSN0T">God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies</a>, </i>by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb--I have not personally read this book, but it comes highly recommended by people I respect. A book to discuss hard but necessary issues with children.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thin-Places-Memoir-Mary-DeMuth/dp/031028418X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454525564&sr=1-2&keywords=Thin+places">Thin Places: A Memoir</a>, </i>by Mary DeMuth--<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Mary DeMuth's writing has ministered to
me greatly throughout our journey. Her story is one of hope and
healing through God's grace. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Not-Marked-Finding-Healing-Sexual-ebook/dp/B00H04ZRPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454525799&sr=1-1&keywords=not+marked+mary+demuth"><i>Not Marked: Finding Hope and Healing After Sexual Abuse, </i></a>by Mary DeMuth--I haven't read this one yet, but everything Mary DeMuth has written has ministered to and encouraged me. On my list for this year. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Two other books by Mary DeMuth that don't deal specifically with the topic of abuse, but that are excellent reads, are<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=everything%2C+mary+demuth"><i> Everything</i></a> and <i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wall-Around-Your-Heart-Others/dp/1400205212/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454526018&sr=1-1&keywords=the+wall+around+your+heart">The Wall Around Your Heart</a></i>. I highly recommend both.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guard-Preventing-Responding-Child-Church/dp/1939946514/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454526201&sr=1-2&keywords=on+guard">On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church</a>, </i>by Deepak Reju--This is another book that's on my list to read this year. It comes highly recommended, and every excerpt I've seen from it has been excellent. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not as familiar with the next two, but the excerpts I've seen have looked good, and I hope to read these soon:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suffering-Heart-God-Destroys-Restores/dp/1942572026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454526384&sr=1-1&keywords=suffering+and+the+heart+of+god">Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores</a>, </i>by Diane Langberg</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mending-Soul-Understanding-Healing-Abuse/dp/0310285291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454526543&sr=1-1&keywords=mending+the+soul"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></a>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mending-Soul-Understanding-Healing-Abuse/dp/0310285291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454526543&sr=1-1&keywords=mending+the+soul"><i>Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse, </i></a>by Steven R. Tracy </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Online Resources</span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.netgrace.org/">G.R.A.C.E. (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment)</a>--I don't agree with everything they post/publish, but they have some excellent resources. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/search/results/Y2hpbGQgcHJvdGVjdGlvbg">The Gospel Coalition</a>--The Gospel Coalition is not a child protection ministry <i>per se</i>, but they do have a number of excellent articles, particularly regarding preventing and responding to sexual abuse in the church. I've linked to a search of child protection articles on the site. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://thesafeside.com/">The Safe Side</a>--This site was recommended by a friend at our meeting last Monday. I haven't had a chance to spend much time on it yet, so I can't make an unqualified recommendation, but it definitely looks worth checking out. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2012/09/child-protection-resources.html">Child Protection Resources at Ponderings of an Elect Exile</a>--I'm in the process of updating, streamlining, and reworking some of the child protection information here on the blog, but this is an older post that contains many of the links to articles here on child protection, trauma, and related issues, plus additional resources. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to updating and reworking some older posts, I'm also in the process of creating new content on these issues based on the information I shared at last week's meeting. If you are interested in this subject, please follow us </span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span><i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><span>via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span><span>sign
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-50062471171272937382016-01-26T10:39:00.002-06:002016-01-26T10:39:33.636-06:00Awakening the Slumbering Blog...<br />
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I arrived home 12 hours ago with blog posts dancing in my head. Getting back to the blog has been one of my most treasured goals for 2016, and yet with the year almost 1/12 over, I haven't hit publish once.<br />
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Last night I had the opportunity to speak to a group of ladies on a subject very close to my heart: child protection. It's been a frequent topic here on the blog, and yet as I prepared for last night's session and then shared with the ladies last night, ideas for a new series on the subject swarmed.<br />
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I had hoped to have a handout for the group last night, which didn't happen, so I committed to typing up info to share via our homeschool group email loop. I could kill two birds with one stone by publishing the info here and linking to it for the group.<br />
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I sat down this morning to begin, and despite the outline written in my dearly-loved colorful Flair pens on the legal pad in front of me, I was struck with an abysmal case of writer's block.<br />
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Seriously?? How can someone with 11 pages of handwritten notes in front of them have writer's block?<br />
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I just couldn't figure out how to begin. The subsequent posts were lined up neatly in my mind, but the beginning just wouldn't come.<br />
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I finally decided that the problem was going from 0 (as in zero posts since the first week of October, ack!!) to 60 (jumping headfirst into a series on a deep and difficult subject) without any transition whatsoever.<br />
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So here's the transition. Ponderings of an Elect Exile is awakening from its deep slumber. I'm hoping, and planning, and praying to be blogging regularly in the coming months. Included in the planning are this series on child protection issues, the continuation of a long-interrupted series on creativity, frequent Bible journaling and planner posts, and the 31 Days of Letters to My Children series that was supposed to happen in October but didn't. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hope </i>is my word for the year this year, and a topic that will appear often in the 2016 Ponderings. </td></tr>
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I hope you'll join me for the 2016 Ponderings, and I'd love to hear from you! <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can follow us </span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>sign
up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>And I would love to hear from <i>you! </i>You can leave a comment below or message me via the contact box on the right. Thank you!! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></b>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-1336716091072558432015-10-01T21:19:00.000-05:002015-10-02T11:08:03.552-05:00Welcome, October! And 31 Days of Letters to My Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Lord, please just give us a boring September!" 31 days ago I prayed those words. October 2015 has been a dreaded, looming specter on the calendar for over seven years. As we were about to welcome 2015, <a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2014/12/fear-not-to-trust-me-in-storm.html">I faced some serious struggles that "the year" had arrived</a>. 7.5 years had passed all too quickly; I knew 10 months would most likely fly by.
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The first 8 months of 2015 were akin to a whirlwind. On August 31, I realized that we had only one more full month of relative peace. Thus my prayer that day for a boring September.
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We haven't had any major crises, but it's been anything but boring. A full calendar, health issues, and an unanticipated major decision kept things hopping all month.
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Several months ago, I had decided that I wanted to participate this year in the <a href="http://write31days.com/">Write 31 Days</a> project. I'd followed other bloggers during the "31 Days" blog series in previous years, but had never had any real interest in being a 31 Days blogger myself, mostly because I couldn't imagine being pinned down to a particular topic for an entire month. My brain and personality just don't work that way. :)
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This summer, though, I had a brainstorm. I've had a blog series partially in my head, partially on paper, partially in blogger draft, and even partially published on the blog (just a post or two) for years, but it's never quite come together the way I'd planned.</div>
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This summer's brainstorm was that it would make a perfect 31 Days series! And thus today begins 31 Days of Letters to My Children. The topics will be all over the map, from deep theological truth to goofy mom-isms to practical life stuff. Most of them are things I've talked with my children about before, some many times, but I love the idea of sharing them in letter form on my blog as well. </div>
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My original plan involved having the bulk of the posts finished before October arrived. When mid-September came and I hadn't written post one, I thought, "I'll be okay if I can just get 5 or 6 posts done ahead so I'll have a bit of a buffer." But here we are on the first of October and I don't have a single post finished and scheduled. Ahem. </div>
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I'm going to go for it anyway. :) </div>
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Check out the other Write 31 Days blogs <a href="http://write31days.com/">here</a>. And follow me on social media using the links below so you don't miss the rest of the series!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-35395000458238120232015-09-04T12:53:00.001-05:002015-09-04T12:53:36.859-05:00Revisiting 7 Truths for Hard Days (And Every Day!) <br />
I'm needing to re-read <a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2014/09/7-truths-on-which-to-dwell-on-hard-days.html">7 Truths on Which to Dwell on the Hard Days (And Every Day!)</a> again today. Perhaps you need these truths today, too? Or perhaps you know someone else who does? Click on the link for this post from a year ago today, and if it blesses or encourages you, please feel free to share it with others. I'd also love to hear your thoughts in the comments or via the email widget in the sidebar. *heart*<br />
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(I'm also planning to share a bit about this on my first Periscope broadcast this afternoon...around 1:45 CST? You can download the Periscope app from the Apple or Google Play Stores and then follow me by searching for jenbh. I'd love to see you there!) <br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Welcome
to Ponderings of an Elect Exile! Whether you are new here or a
faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here! If you aren't already
following, I'd love to have you join us for the 201<i><b>5</b></i> <i>Ponderings</i>. It's easy to do, in a variety of ways! You can follow via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>sign
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-76218157661108228222015-08-05T10:07:00.001-05:002015-08-05T10:53:15.248-05:00Be Still and Know...<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This
week is the eye in the midst of the hurricane in our schedule. I'm worn
out and a bit brain-scrambled coming off four months of pure crazy,
looking forward to more of the same starting Saturday, and realizing how
much must be accomplished in the next five days to make the next few
months work. </blockquote>
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I posted that as part of a Facebook status on Monday. We accomplished much but not nearly enough on Monday. Yesterday I tried to hit the ground running and just ended up feeling like one of those cartoon characters whose legs are running frantically but who never move from their starting point.<br />
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As I breathed a prayer for the day and the tasks thereof, Psalm 46:10 came immediately to mind. So thankful for years of encouragement and accountability to memorize Scripture so that it is there for the Holy Spirit to bring to the forefront when needed! "Be still, and know that I am God."<br />
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Be still...not easy in today's world, and yet so, so necessary that we prioritize the time to just be still in His presence, to get into His Word, to meditate on it, and to communicate with Him in prayer. Be still...<br />
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...And know that I am God...such simple words, and yet mind-blowing, if we truly rest there and ponder. In the stillness yesterday morning, I spent some time studying verses from our Behold Your God study on "God's rule". Reading (and writing) through a list of verses about God's sovereignty and ultimate right and will to rule every facet of the universe (including and especially <i>us), </i>gave me a new focus and view for the day.<br />
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A couple of quotes from yesterday's study:<br />
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Who our Master is will determine how we serve Him. The measure of His dignity and rule must be the measure of our obligation and privilege in serving Him.</blockquote>
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The attribute of God's sovereignty teaches us that God possesses and exercises the solitary right to do all His pleasure with all His creation, without explanation or interference.<br />
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~John Snyder, <i>Behold Your God</i> <br />
Scripture References: Psalm 103:19, 1 Timothy 6:15, Psalm 24:1, Colossians 1:16-17, Romans 11:36, Isaiah 40:23-24, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 93:1-2<br />
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From there, I went to the piano to practice music for Sunday. I hadn't settled on an offertory yet, and as I played through some possibilities, I came across the hymn "Jesus Shall Reign". As I played through the arrangement, the words to these verses kept scrolling through my mind, and I was struck at how perfectly they correlated with the verses I'd read earlier. I'd found my offertory. :) </div>
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LOVE these words! Such truth. <i>He reigns!</i> Nothing that Satan or any earthly power can do can change that. There is no place we can go to hide from that. <i>Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does its successive journeys run...Let every creature rise and bring honor and glory to our King.</i></div>
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My list seems to be getting longer instead of shorter, and the time in which I have to accomplish it continues to shrink. There are all kinds of things swirling around us, good and not-so-good, right now that make my mind swim if I let them. </div>
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The solution to the brain scramble and the anxiety that attempts to accompany it is not to work harder (although diligence is definitely in order). It is not to get better organized (although organization is a fabulous help). It's not to psych myself up to have a good attitude (although my heart should certainly be joyful). </div>
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The key, as God continues to teach me, is <i><a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunday-song-bow-knee.html">worship</a>. </i>It is <a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-cure-for-troubled-soul.html">the cure for the troubled soul</a>. Being still, and knowing that He is God. Acknowledging that He reigns, above all. Seeking Him and knowing Him as He is, such as our little finite minds are able. </div>
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In the midst of life's crazy, we must stop and <i>be still. </i>But don't stop at being still! That may give temporary relief, but on its own, it's not the answer. <i>Be still, and know that He is God. </i>Dig into the Word. Cover it all in prayer. Meditate on what He says about Who He is.<br />
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What is God teaching you right now? I'd love to hear in the comments!<br />
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<i>Super-simple Bible journaling today, in an old ledger that belonged to my grandfather *heart*. Pilot G-2 1.0 pen and assorted washi tape. :) </i> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome
to Ponderings of an Elect Exile! Whether you are new here or a
faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here! If you aren't already
following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 <i>Ponderings</i>. It's easy to do, in a variety of ways! You can follow via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">sign
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-34926176870354898602015-07-25T19:40:00.000-05:002015-07-25T19:40:08.490-05:00Adventures of Grace, Continued! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zcjHaX72Ek/VbQqysgr5PI/AAAAAAAAQXc/OyfMAvHwZas/s1600/grace%2Badventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zcjHaX72Ek/VbQqysgr5PI/AAAAAAAAQXc/OyfMAvHwZas/s640/grace%2Badventure.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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FINALLY, I can share this!! I've been bursting at the seams. :)<br />
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Three years ago this weekend, we officially made the move to Grace Baptist Lavaca. It was a hard, hard decision to leave our beloved Oak Cliff, but God was so clearly leading that we had to obey. And while leaving Oak Cliff was hard, becoming part of Grace wasn't, as we already loved Bro. Gary and Becky and what was then our little mission church.<br />
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God has done a LOT in the intervening 3 years. We had no idea what He had in store for us, and there have certainly been a lot of unexpected twists and turns along the way. Our Grace family has gone through a LOT of hard stuff together in those three years. But...we've shared some huge joys as well, including constituting as an official church, four baptisms (the first of which was our Ammah Grace!), and new families joining us.<br />
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Today, our Grace Baptist family starts a new chapter in our church history. We are no longer Grace Lavaca; we are now Grace Barling. I love that in God's perfect timing this new chapter begins three years to the weekend from our initial move to Grace Lavaca. :) <br />
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The story behind the move is a long one, but again, it has been so evident that it is God's hand, and there are a multitude of reasons why it is a good and wonderful thing. (And while it wasn't a reason for the move, a fabulous by-product of the move is that the new location is MUCH closer to our home...15 minutes as opposed to 40+. I can't TELL you what a wonderful thing that is, although some of us are going to miss the picturesque drive and the cows looking in the window in Lavaca. :))<br />
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God is doing exciting things at Grace Lavaca. Someday perhaps I'll tell the whole story of today's move and the obvious and intense attacks of the enemy it involved. For now, I'll just say, the attacks of the enemy were great, but we serve a God who is far greater, and His grace was sufficient!<br />
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So thankful for so many things today...for all those who have worked so hard today and in days and weeks prior to make this move happen, for my kids (and their friend Joshua) who have put in some serious hard labor this week with good attitudes, for our friends Kathy and Kaitlyn, who may have saved our lives today by bringing a bunch of exhausted, hot, starving people pizza for lunch, for protection for our Bay, who fell and hit her head last night and had to sit and watch today (and those who know Bay know that was pure torture for her!), for answered prayer for our pastor, who was unable to get out of bed for a good part of the morning, but who was able to come later (and work hard!), for people who have prayed fervent prayers for all of us in all of this, and most of all, that God's power is made perfect in our weakness, always!<br />
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And thankful for the anticipation of our first worship service tomorrow at Grace Baptist Barling!<br />
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Is God doing something exciting in your life right now? Or perhaps leading you to something a little scary? I'd love to hear in the comments!<br />
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More of the Story:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2012/07/as-promisedthe-story-behind-our-new.html">As Promised ~ The Story Behind Our New Adventure </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2013/06/i-press-on-toward-goal-not-by-chance.html">I Press On Toward the Goal (A Not-By-Chance Encounter)</a><br />
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<a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2013/01/saying-good-bye.html">Saying Good-Bye </a><br />
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faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here! If you aren't already
following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 <i>Ponderings</i>. It's easy to do, in a variety of ways! You can follow via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">sign
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-43494083258261032762015-07-21T13:34:00.000-05:002015-07-21T13:34:54.992-05:00When We Reach the End of Our Hoarded Resources...Today's reminder...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjGC_JsPxlY/Va6OCiDlPCI/AAAAAAAAQW8/UEC5422bWOc/s1600/giveth%2Bmore%2Bgrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjGC_JsPxlY/Va6OCiDlPCI/AAAAAAAAQW8/UEC5422bWOc/s640/giveth%2Bmore%2Bgrace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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From Annie Johnson Flint's beautiful hymn, "He Giveth More Grace".<br />
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As I said in <a href="http://www.jenbh.blogspot.com/2015/07/so-whats-your-excuse-pondered-pages.html">yesterday's post, </a>His giving is not for our selfish pursuits or desires, but so that we can fulfill His plan for us. Some days, that plan may be for us to be able to be kind and loving as we serve our families in the midst of exhaustion. Some days it may be seemingly "bigger", "more exciting" things. Whatever it is, He continues to remind me that He has given and continues to give exactly what we need to do what He has for us to do.<br />
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What an encouragement!<br />
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What has encouraged you today? I'd love to hear about it in the comments here or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile">Facebook</a>. Or perhaps you are struggling and in need of prayer. Send me a message through the sidebar widget or the Facebook page linked above.<br />
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following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 <i>Ponderings</i>. It's easy to do, in a variety of ways! You can follow via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">sign
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-48722345029350003072015-07-20T12:27:00.001-05:002015-07-20T12:27:45.562-05:00So What's Your Excuse? {Pondered Pages}<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFWsbor3UwE/Va0oVCJf7KI/AAAAAAAAQWY/sk9uPoAKJSg/s1600/same%2Bpower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFWsbor3UwE/Va0oVCJf7KI/AAAAAAAAQWY/sk9uPoAKJSg/s640/same%2Bpower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What a fabulous thought for a Monday morning...or any time of any day! Bro. Gary's sermons from Ephesians lately have been excellent, and just what I've needed, and I'm journaling my way through Ephesians and my notes very slowly.<br />
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This one I just had to do quickly in my art journal today, though. I need to be focused on this this week. We're coming off a wonderful weekend...time spent with family we hadn't seen in many years (and some we'd never met!), which was such a huge blessing! But...it's been a crazy, stressful, busy few weeks and we are all exhausted, with no real break in sight.<br />
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There are challenges on every side...physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Health, finances, schedules, parenting, schooling, church...stuff going on, some really good, and some not-quite-so good, in every area.<br />
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It's so easy during times like these to get distracted, tired, stressed, and not keep our eyes where they belong...on Him. It's easy to make excuses for not being loving, kind, diligent, etc. But He reminds us that we have within us, through the Holy Spirit, the same power that brought Jesus from the grave! (We have this power in us IF we are true Christ-followers. If that doesn't apply to you, and you'd like to know more, please contact me through the sidebar link or via the Facebook page, or see more <a href="http://www.wayofthemaster.com/goodperson.shtml">here</a>.)<br />
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So as Bro. Gary said yesterday morning...what is our excuse? As 2 Peter 1:3 says, He has given us everything we need for life and Godliness. <i>Everything we need. </i>That just sends chills down my spine every time I read it! It fills me with excitement and conviction. Because as Bro. Gary reminded us yesterday...it's not our power, it's His, and it isn't for our selfish pursuits, but for the work He has for us.<br />
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How are we living in that power today? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, either here or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile">Facebook page</a>.<br />
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<i>(Scripture Journaling notes: Pilot G-2 .07 pen and generic watercolors. :))</i><br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-75514213262505427322015-07-15T11:08:00.002-05:002015-07-15T11:08:28.889-05:00His Eye is On the Sparrow! <br />
I am utterly and completely overwhelmed today. As I said in a post a couple of weeks ago,<br />
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The last couple of days have been rough. We're all okay, and no big, bad
major event has happened (in fact, there's been some good, happy stuff
in the mix!:)), just a whole lot of general life yuck and then Satan
hurling some fiery darts into the whole mess. </div>
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Again...no big, bad major event, and some good, happy stuff going on, but the life yuck in various areas continues and Satan is attacking with a vengeance.</div>
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Part of the overwhelm is the degree to which many of those close to us are experiencing trials right now. Just yesterday, three friends who were already going through hardship were hit hard with additional difficulty. As I prayed for them yesterday, the song, "His Eye is On the Sparrow" kept playing through my head. </div>
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I actually got to sit in the back yard and take some bird pictures yesterday for the first time in ages and ages. Our super-rainy spring brought mass quantities of bugs and then the heat hit and...you get the picture. Not much that was terribly conducive to enjoying time relaxing in the yard. :)</div>
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Yesterday, though, I went out for a few minutes early in the day when a friend called on the phone. Our house is small and limited on privacy, so the back porch is a good escape when I need to talk uninterrupted. I realized while I was out there that at that time, it was cooler outside than it was in the part of the house I'd been in, so I decided to take my camera and stay for a bit. :)</div>
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I haven't had time to edit those photos yet, but I took a number of sparrow pictures. Sparrows are not the most exciting birds to photograph, mostly because they are so incredibly common. There are sparrows everywhere. </div>
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I've always loved that sparrows are specifically named in the Bible as a picture of God's care for us. That God would use this mundane little bird to remind us how much He cares for us just overwhelms me in a totally different way. </div>
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Over the years, I've taken hundreds of photos of sparrows. I've published several of them on this blog and on my photo blog. I thought I'd share a few today to remind myself of God's faithfulness and are even in the midst of the yuck and overwhelm. Perhaps you need those reminders, too? </div>
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I'd love to hear your thoughts! It makes my day to hear from you, in the comments here or on the Facebook page, or by private message either place. </div>
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faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here! If you aren't already
following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 <i>Ponderings</i>. It's easy to do, in a variety of ways! You can follow via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sign
up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.</span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-50161039754892537342015-07-02T12:17:00.002-05:002015-07-02T12:19:18.747-05:00Celebrating GRACE {On This Day}<br />
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The last couple of days have been rough. We're all okay, and no big, bad major event has happened (in fact, there's been some good, happy stuff in the mix!:)), just a whole lot of general life yuck and then Satan hurling some fiery darts into the whole mess. Yesterday was the worst for me. I fought a lot of tears and lapsed into extreme survival mode.<br />
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Between those struggles and a busy schedule this week, I hadn't even really thought about the date itself...until I clicked over to my TimeHop early this morning and saw this status from two years ago:<br />
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Nine years ago today was the worst day of my life. As the status above says, our world shattered into a million pieces.<br />
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The intervening years have been <i>hard. </i>There were times during the first few years especially that I wasn't sure any of us were going to make it. Trauma issues in our children and in ourselves, concern for the safety of our family, life-altering decisions we weren't really prepared to make, and countless sleepless nights were just a few of the issues with which we struggled during those years.<br />
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The last few years have been a bit like the calm in the eye of the storm. God has worked much, much healing and growth in our lives. We have seen His glory in ways we could never have dreamed. In those very early days nine years ago, we began to pray, "Please just make the path so totally crystal clear that there is no question possible about the right direction." We have seen Him do exactly that over and over and over again.<br />
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As I shared<a href="http://jenbh.blogspot.com/2014/12/fear-not-to-trust-me-in-storm.html" target="_blank"> here</a>,we've dreaded 2015 for a long time. And yet, as we enter the second half of this year, we have already seen God answer prayers we didn't even know how to pray, and provide for needs in ways we would never have imagined.<br />
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My TimeHop this morning is full of reminders of God's faithfulness from this date in years past. I love that! I love that those "standing stones" are there to remind us how far He has brought us and how much He has shown us of Himself even in the darkest of days.<br />
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I'm also reminded today how blessed we've been in the people God has provided over the years to support and encourage and pray for us. Out of necessity, only a handful of people were aware of the situation in our lives 9 years ago. Those people spent much time in the trenches with us...and unlike us, they made a choice to be there, because they loved us and were fulfilling God's call to help bear our burdens. That is true friendship, and I can't imagine these last nine years without them.<br />
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Others had no idea what was going on, but God called them to pray for and encourage us anyway. How thankful I am for those people, who listened to the still, small voice and obeyed, and who impacted our lives in ways they will never completely realize. And how thankful I am for those who have since heard our story and supported and prayed and encouraged. We have an amazing array of friends who have invested in and loved and prayed for and encouraged all of us in so many ways, and that blessing is tremendous (to use a favorite word of a certain music minister *grin*)<br />
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Psalm 40:1-5 have long been favorite verses of mine, and this morning I cried all over again when I got to verse 5:<br />
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<b><span class="text Ps-40-5" id="en-NIV-14531">Many, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> my God,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5">are the wonders You have done,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5">the things You planned for us.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5">None can compare with You;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5">were I to speak and tell of Your deeds,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5">they would be too many to declare.</span></span></b></blockquote>
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He has shown that verse to be true in our lives over and over again. He has done many wonders, and His deeds have truly been too many to declare. Through that He has shown us beyond a shadow of a doubt that none can compare with Him. It has certainly not always been easy, it has certainly not always been the way we would have chosen, and we know that there is more difficulty and uncertainty ahead as we move closer and closer to this fall. But this is as true today as it was two years ago:<br />
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<b>Nothing but His grace could explain the fact that on this day, I can rejoice in His sovereignty, have peace in His plan, and be more sure than ever of His goodness. </b></blockquote>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f22Ke7laptU/VZVWg7PJQyI/AAAAAAAAQT4/iNoYmNaRcYo/s1600/On%2Bthis%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f22Ke7laptU/VZVWg7PJQyI/AAAAAAAAQT4/iNoYmNaRcYo/s640/On%2Bthis%2Bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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How have you seen His grace at work in your life? I'd love to hear in the comments! Are you struggling right now, or facing a dark situation? I'd love to pray for you. You can message me via the "contact me" box in the sidebar, or leave a comment below.<br />
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<i>[Scripture Journaling notes: Superquick entry (as shown by the super-messy lettering...ACK!...but I wanted to get it finished this morning and didn't have much time) on Psalm 40:5 using Anita's Acrylic Craft paint, Pilot G-2 pens, and washi tape and stickers from various sources</i>.]<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome
to Ponderings of an Elect Exile! Whether you are new here or a
faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here! If you aren't already
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-49762744913920968112015-06-30T21:47:00.000-05:002015-06-30T21:47:43.585-05:00Done. (Really Done.)<br />
I. Am. Done. As the old saying goes..."stick a fork in me..." Yep.<br />
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It's the last day of June, which means the last day of Blogathon. I've managed to post every day, but it's been <i>hard</i>, and I haven't been terribly happy with the quality of my posts. <br />
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I'm glad I participated, but I'm thankful it's over for the year. I'm also glad to say good-bye to June. It's been a rough month in a lot of ways. There have been some really good parts, but there have also been a lot of struggles, for me personally, for our family, and for lots of people we love.<br />
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Today has been, as Billy would say, "a stinker of a day". Again, there have been some bright spots, but the shadows have mostly won out today.<br />
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I am so thankful for the promise of these verses. No matter how I feel, no matter what is going on around me, <i>His Love </i>never ceases. <i>His mercies </i>never come to an end. <i>His mercies </i>are new every morning. <i>His faithfulness </i>is great.<br />
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On that note, I close out this day, this month, and 2015 Blogathon. <br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2204988399673973758.post-11946317137673983562015-06-29T21:17:00.002-05:002015-06-29T21:17:54.213-05:00Set My Soul Afire! {Or What's More Important Than Last Week's Supreme Court Decision}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The words of this hymn have gripped my heart this week as I've been preparing an arrangement for Sunday's offertory. Bro. Gary's sermon yesterday was on "Knowing the God of Glory", from Ephesians 1:16-17. He talked about the fact that when we truly see God's glory, it cannot help but change our lives completely, and that once we get a taste of His glory, we can never get enough, and we will pursue it more and more. </div>
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There are so many things clamoring for our attention these days that seem quite important, and in some ways they are. But we risk, as Christians, getting so caught up in the "day of strife" and all the <i>stuff </i>swirling around us that we lose sight of what is most important: His glory, the plight of the lost, living every moment for Him. </div>
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Things like the recent Supreme Court decision on marriage are important, and we do need to take a stand, in a loving, gracious way. I still plan to blog on the decision. We've been talking to our kids about it. But we (I!) can get way too caught up in the whole thing and give it more space in our heads and hearts and lives than it deserves. </div>
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The world is going to be the world. We are to expect that. We are to stand, lovingly and graciously, for truth. That's a given. But we can't let any of the world's issues take center stage in our hearts and souls. </div>
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I want my children to know the truth and be able to defend it, but more than that, I want their souls to be on fire for God and His Word. I want them to be overwhelmed and amazed by His glory. I want them to be burdened for the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ and passionate about the lost. And I want them to see those things in<i> me</i>. I want to <i>be </i>those things for and through <i>Him. </i></div>
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Help me not to falter, never let me fail,</div>
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Fill me with Thy Spirit, let Thy will prevail.</div>
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Set my soul afire, Lord, in my daily life,</div>
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Far too long I've wandered in this day of strife;</div>
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Nothing else will matter but to live for Thee.</div>
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I will be Your witness as You live in me.</div>
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<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you aren't already
following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 <i>Ponderings</i>. It's easy to do, in a variety of ways! </span></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can follow via <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PonderingsOfAnElectExile" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jenbh" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenbh/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, or </span> find me on Instagram as <a href="http://instagram.com/jenbh68" target="_blank">Jenbh68</a>. You can also </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">sign
up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542510632283634928noreply@blogger.com0