tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24161995734403066462024-02-20T16:47:23.128-08:00ChristianbookmomKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-69477972201135760512016-03-22T09:25:00.001-07:002016-03-22T09:47:36.127-07:00Book Review: Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While browsing Instagram I frequently came across the book <i>Simply Tuesday</i> by Emily P. Freeman. It looked good to me. It looked like a book I needed to read. The sub caption under the title is "Small-moment living in a fast-moving world." Yes, I needed that. My world has been spinning so fast the last number of months with moving, working, buying a house, remodeling a house, taking care of my husband and three children, that I definitely needed a reminder to slow down. I started reading the book and I felt I was sitting across the table having coffee with Emily, and she was simply just sharing her heart with me. I love reading books that make me feel like that. But, it was also like she was reading <strike>my mail</strike> my heart.<br />
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Small moment living isn't a bad thing. It's good.<br />
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It's stopping to notice the little things in life.<br />
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It's remembering what's important.<br />
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It's acknowledging that I don't have to promote myself or make myself or my life something big, grand or to even be recognized.<br />
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It's about making the selfish part of me small, and the God inside of me BIG.<br />
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It's determining to be at peace with not being known by people, but knowing that the God of the universe sees and knows me.<br />
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Being small is being humble. It's intentionally putting God and others before me and my agenda.<br />
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And, it's about not rushing things. Let things be small. Let myself be small like a child. I have a lot to learn from children.<br />
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This book was such perfect timing for me and I hope that everyone gives themselves the opportunity to read it.<br />
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<b>Some quotes from the book...</b><br />
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"Small is the position of my soul, the posture by which I approach others, God, and myself. When I'm small, I know I can't control opinions, manipulate outcomes, or force my agenda on others. When I'm small, I can move into the world confident as the person I most deeply am because I know I don't move into the world alone. If this is true, then small is my new free."<br />
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"Tuesday is the week's producer. What happens here, if done right, if done well, leaves no fingerprints-dinner around the table, laundry folded in the baskets, the meeting with the boss over coffee, five hundred more words toward the deadline. The big stuff of life we save for the weekend. Tuesday holds the ordinary, the everyday, and the small."<br />
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"What gives moments meaning is not the moments themselves but the presence of Christ with us in the midst of them. To learn to live well in ordinary time is to keep company with Christ on our simple Tuesdays and remember how he delights in keeping company with us."<br />
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"Jesus doesn't say, <i>Come to me, keep company with me, and you'll learn to do nothing, to be passive, to never work again</i>. He says, <i>Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly</i>. Being with Jesus brings a different kind of living and a different kind of working-the kind that starts with being."<br />
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<b>Personally, what I take away after reading this book...</b><br />
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I don't want to promote myself in any way-in my thoughts, actions, social media, my conversations, my relationships with others, or in my heart.<br />
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I want to be "small" or humble...known by people. I want to be open, vulnerable and transparent with others.<br />
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I want to resolve to be happy with whatever place I am at in life. To be content and at peace, knowing God is in control and His timing is perfect.<br />
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I want to be free from all selfish ambition and know that my most important goals to accomplish are those that God has created and called me to. I can wait on God and let Him lead me.<br />
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I will continue to rest in the truth that God sees me, loves me, and has a great future for me. I can trust Him.<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-70999654907952519802016-02-27T12:19:00.001-08:002016-02-27T12:19:50.356-08:00The Whole Hearted Parenting Manifesto ~ Brene Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto</strong></div>
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Above all else, I want you to know that you are loved and lovable. You will learn this from my words and actions--the lessons on love are in how I treat you and how I treat myself.</div>
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I want you to engage with the world from a place of worthiness. You will learn that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy every time you see me practice self-compassion and embrace my own imperfections.</div>
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We will practice courage in our family by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honoring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.</div>
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We will teach you compassion by practicing compassion with ourselves first; then with each other. We will set and respect boundaries; we will honor hard work, hope, and perseverance. Rest and play will be family values, as well as family practices.</div>
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You will learn accountability and respect by watching me make mistakes and make amends, and by watching how I ask for what I need and talk about how I feel.</div>
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I want you to know joy, so together we will practice gratitude.</div>
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I want you to feel joy, so together we will learn how to be vulnerable.</div>
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When uncertainty and scarcity visit, you will be able to draw from the spirit that is a part of our everyday life.</div>
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Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.</div>
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We will laugh and sing and dance and create. We will always have permission to be ourselves with each other. No matter what, you will always belong here.</div>
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As you begin your Wholehearted journey, the greatest gift that I can give to you is to live and love with my whole heart and to dare greatly.</div>
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I will not teach or love or show you anything perfectly, but I will let you see me, and I will always hold sacred the gift of seeing you. Truly, deeply, seeing you.</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-24037581015499551002016-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:002016-02-09T08:50:14.644-08:00Book Review: Make It Happen<br />
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Last year I came across Lara Casey's website, blog and book... <i><b>Make It Happen</b>. </i>Her book jumped out at me because the theme of the book is to live a life on purpose. I began last year really establishing that I want to live a life on purpose rather than a life of perfection. I began to think and pray about what it really means to live a life on purpose. Along came the book <i><b>Make It Happen</b></i>. <br />
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This book is ideal for any woman that seeks to dig deep into her heart and see what holds her back from her God given purpose and how to achieve it. Lara is extremely vulnerable and transparent as she shares her own personal journey of living her own life on purpose for God's glory.<br />
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<b><u>Some quotes from the book:</u></b><br />
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"The enemy of taking action is the false belief in 'someday.' Do the good you know you ought to do-and start now. Do it knowing that you might not have as much time as you think. The alternative is to do nothing, and that does, well, nothing. <i>Don't wait to live.</i>"<br />
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"Fear can hold us back from making what matters happen. Fear can create a false reality where we feel threatened even if nothing has actually happened yet. What do you feel could be threatened in your life?"<br />
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"<i>If you want change, choose it.</i>"<br />
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"We are so quick to limit ourselves, deciding who we are and who we aren't and that's it. We define our identities-our strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and beliefs-but this rigid defining can hinder us from seeing the potential that God sees. We stay in our little identity boxes, not allowing ourselves to be stretched or challenged. We accept the world's made-up rules for who we are supposed to be, and we believe we cannot break those rules."<br />
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"When it comes to our faith, we must choose trust over feelings. There are many times we cannot <i>feel</i> God working, but we can trust that He is. We may not <i>feel</i> loved by God, but we can trust that His love never changes."<br />
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"You are going to fail sometimes, and things won't always go the way you hoped. But here's the beautiful paradox about failure: <i>failure will get you further than fear</i>."<br />
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"The good you do today changes generations. Life is too short and too valuable to coast through, living by accident. Take your time writing down your goals, pray on them, talk them out with people you trust, and then <i>commit</i>."<br />
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<b><u>Getting Personal</u></b>:<br />
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I was deeply moved by this book. It was very challenging as I answered in my journal the many heart provoking questions that Lara asked throughout the book. I knew that if I am really going to see change and purpose in my life it begins with being honest with God and myself about who I am and where I'm at in life at the moment.<br />
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I think it helped me to write out these answers because it opened my eyes to what really holds me back from stepping out into what God has for me...like fear of rejection. It helped me to see what living a life on purpose really means for me personally and not letting my fear of rejection hold me back from it. I want to be open and transparent with people and not let the fear of rejection keep me from meaningful relationships.<br />
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For example, I shared with someone how much they mean to me and what a blessing they have been in my life. She responded, "I had no idea." My heart was grieved for the rest of the day. It made me so sad to think that someone so special to me didn't know it. I was reminded that people can't read my mind. I must speak out. I must live life intentionally and in all my relationships.<br />
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At the end of the book there are strategies for living a life on purpose that I found so helpful and practical. Some of them are to have a short list of 3-5 things I will accomplish a day, clearing out the clutter in my mind (distractions), and taking social media breaks. I finished the book thinking that I can live a more focused, purposeful, meaningful life. It's worth the read. You can make it happen in your life, too, with the help and grace of God!<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-57750869720424305042015-05-21T11:35:00.004-07:002015-05-21T11:35:39.461-07:00Book Review: Women of the Word<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed <b><i>Women of the Word</i></b> by Jen Wilkin. I read it in one day. It was powerful, challenging and encouraging. As Jen says in the beginning of the book, the goal of this book is "equipping women through Bible study."</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quotes from the book:</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We should study asking not just what a particular portion of Scripture wants to tell us, but how that portion of Scripture is telling us the Big Story of the Bible as a whole. Studying the Bible with purpose means keeping its overarching message in view at all times."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The temptation to make the Bible applicable to our current experience without preserving its ties to its original audience is strong."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Without prayer, our study is nothing but an intellectual pursuit. With prayer, it is a means of communing with the Lord."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jen Wilkins does an excellent job addressing the variety of ways that we approach reading/studying God's Word, and showing how they may be faulty. I appreciate her simple, and yet thorough approach to Bible Study. Jen is very clear about the five steps we should take when studying the Bible: purpose, perspective, patience, process, and prayer.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Personal Thoughts:</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It spoke to me the most that I should read the Bible to learn about who God is first, rather than trying to find something out about myself and who I am. She sums it up in this quote:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #76a5af; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Any study of the Bible that seeks to establish our identity without first proclaiming God's identity will render partial and limited help. We must turn around our habit of asking "Who am I?" We must first ask, "What does this passage teach me about God?" before we ask it to teach us anything about ourselves. We must acknowledge that the Bible is a book about God."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt really convicted when I read this. The strong pull of this world is to be narcissistic- to have everything revolve around self. I can see now that there is a temptation to allow our Bible study to become so self-focused, as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I now have a new perspective as I look forward to digging into God's Word and learning more about who He is!</span><br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-51376442012265378572015-03-21T18:05:00.000-07:002015-03-21T18:05:19.692-07:00The Sunday Search<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really liked an idea that Karen presented in her book <i>Making Sunday Special</i>. </div>
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She talked about "The Sunday Search". </div>
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"The Sunday Search is a spiritual discipline designed in the form of a game with three rules. We go to church, anticipating, How will Christ speak to me? (rule one) and How will Christ speak through me? (rule two). Then We must talk about it (rule three)."<br />
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I love this idea because it encourages all of us in our family to have an expectation to hear from God, to be used of God, and accountability in sharing both of them together as a family. It's so easy to go to church with no expectation that God is going to speak to me personally, or that God would use me to speak into someone else's life. Both of these have to be intentional in our lives and in our parenting. God uses worship, the time of greeting others, the offering, the sermon, the altar call, and the time of fellowshipping afterwards to speak to us. And, He can use us in a variety of ways to "speak" into someone else's life whether that be a compliment, word of encouragement, an act of service or even a hug.<br />
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So, early Sunday morning last week I told the kids that this is what we were going to do. They liked the idea. After church, when we were home and had eaten lunch we all met in the boys' room and shared our answers. It was powerful to hear my kids share what they believed God had spoken to them at church and how God used them. They were just as eager to hear Josh and I share our answers.<br />
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I love this game and will continue to do it with my kids. It teaches them that God will speak to them at church and that they play a vital role as church members, too.<br />
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Be expectant as you look to see how God will speak to you and an opportunity to speak into someone else's life!<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-59990491032335396572015-03-17T11:59:00.000-07:002015-03-17T11:59:50.331-07:00Quote from St. Patrick of Ireland<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ be with me, Christ within me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ behind me, Christ before me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ beside me, Christ to win me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ to comfort and restore me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ beneath me, Christ above me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ in hearts of all that love me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.</span></div>
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~St. Patrick of Ireland</div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-58343176561115940622015-03-11T10:00:00.002-07:002015-03-11T10:21:10.495-07:00Some Really Good Marriage Advice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf5rJdL3H8q5i7zreaup3-KIQllt3HkdMm7K3xGbU4YWiax3vtU8HlO0ngKhxmWsXmft31GF8F9B4pc-GCE0r_elZIKPCvQX8K4s-e8pNDCGH0w9-nPORoJD8HXYYvT277hRFXodmLNyx/s1600/IMG_5059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf5rJdL3H8q5i7zreaup3-KIQllt3HkdMm7K3xGbU4YWiax3vtU8HlO0ngKhxmWsXmft31GF8F9B4pc-GCE0r_elZIKPCvQX8K4s-e8pNDCGH0w9-nPORoJD8HXYYvT277hRFXodmLNyx/s1600/IMG_5059.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is an excellent book and I've read it more than once! My mother-in-law gave it to me early on in our marriage and I'm so thankful that she did! I have learned so much about being a godly, feminine, woman and wife. It has shaped my life and role as a wife. I love the countless, encouraging testimonies throughout the book, as well.</div>
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The author shares countless pieces of wisdom that I've found helpful. But, three chapters which profoundly impacted my marriage and relationship with my husband:</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1.) Accept him!</span></div>
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Find the good in him, accept him as he is "today" and even if he never changes. Accept his right to be himself and accept his needs. Accept his faults (personal habits, use of time and money, social behavior, etc). Don't compare him to other men you see that would be great examples for him to follow.</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">2.) Appreciate him!</span></div>
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This has to do with gratitude, respect and his ego. Show him appreciation daily. Appreciate his character, intelligence and what he does for you. Especially communicate appreciation for him when he's out of his comfort zone-doing something to bless me.</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">3.) Admire him!</span></div>
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Respect his judgement, his abilities & his communication. Respect him in public and respect him in my assumptions of him</div>
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When I first read this book many years ago, I realized that I was having a hard time accepting some things about my husband. These were things that I wanted him to change and thought I had the power to change in him. These were the things that made me mad, frustrated, angry and resentful. These were the things that were my expectations of him.<br />
So, I got out a piece of paper and wrote down each one of these things. Then, I prayed. I verbally spoke out loud that I accepted my husband for each thing as I went down the list. I relinquished control over my husband to God. I resolved that I would accept him for who he is. Then, I tore up the piece of paper, never to be seen again. There was no need to hang on to that list anymore. God changed my heart. I can honestly say, today, I don't even remember everything I wrote on that list so many years ago. But, I do continue desire to be a wife that would accept her husband. I'm so thankful God helped me to see where I needed to change. God is so good.<br />
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I encourage every woman to read this book!</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-31307739583216756272015-03-09T09:45:00.000-07:002015-03-09T10:27:53.355-07:00Highways For Youth<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Young men, it matters but little</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The burdens you carry in life,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For it isn't the load,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the choice of a road</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That determines the stress and strife.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't follow the highways of pleasure-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ones that look broad, smooth, and fair-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For they only deceive</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All those who believe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They will lead to a treasure somewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">True joy is found only in service</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To God and one's own fellowmen;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being honest and true</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Will bring joy to you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you least will expect it and when.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And as the swift seasons roll onward,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The years bring your life to its end,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your reward will be great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the hereafter state,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If the Father and Son call you friend.</span></div>
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~Author Unknown<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-39749326863932464202015-03-05T06:24:00.000-08:002015-03-05T06:25:15.669-08:00A Tale of Two Households<div style="text-align: center;">
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"I got two A's," the small boy said.</div>
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His voice was filled with glee.</div>
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His father very bluntly asked,</div>
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<a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/HouseArchitectureImageGraphicsFairy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #509ac9; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" class="pinit-hover" data-jpibfi-indexer="0" src="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/HouseArchitectureImageGraphicsFairy.jpg" height="224" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 99%; opacity: 0.5 !important;" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Why didn't you get three?"</div>
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"Mom, I've got the dishes done,"</div>
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The girl called from the door.</div>
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Her mother very calmly said,</div>
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"Did you sweep the floor?'</div>
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"I mowed the grass," the tall boy said,</div>
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"And put the mower away."</div>
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His father asked him with a shrug,</div>
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"Did you clean off the clay?'</div>
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<a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/_CarNcodpCMA/Srw6HYRkfCI/AAAAAAAAEdg/m-rB8VpwtCo/s1600/houseleadpink2.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #509ac9; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/_CarNcodpCMA/Srw6HYRkfCI/AAAAAAAAEdg/m-rB8VpwtCo/s1600/houseleadpink2.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #509ac9; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="pinit-hover" data-jpibfi-indexer="0" src="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/_CarNcodpCMA/Srw6HYRkfCI/AAAAAAAAEdg/m-rB8VpwtCo/s400/houseleadpink2.jpg" height="316" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 99%; opacity: 0.5 !important;" width="320" /></a></div>
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The children in the house next door</div>
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Seemed happy and content.</div>
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The same things happened over there,</div>
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But this is how it went.</div>
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"I got two A's," the small boy said.</div>
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His voice was filled with glee.</div>
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His father proudly said, "That's great;</div>
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I'm glad you belong to me."</div>
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"Mom, I got the dishes done,"</div>
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The girl called from the door.</div>
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Her mother smiled softly and said,</div>
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"Each day I love you more."</div>
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"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said.</div>
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"And put the mower away."</div>
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His father answered with much joy,</div>
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"You've made my happy day!"</div>
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Children deserve just simple praise </div>
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For the tasks they're asked to do.</div>
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If they're to lead a happy life,</div>
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So much depends on you!</div>
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~Author Unknown</div>
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as quoted in <i>The Power of a Woman's Words </i>by Sharon Jaynes<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-86358444223668058672015-03-02T09:36:00.002-08:002015-03-02T10:39:13.677-08:00Journal For My Love<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I found this journal at Barnes & Noble a few years ago and just loved it! And, as I'm getting older, my memory isn't what it used to be! I love having things written down to read over & over. It has many prompts to answer about your relationship and the one you love. I worked on filling it out over the course of a few months. I gave it to Josh as a gift on our 14th wedding anniversary. He loved it!</span></div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-51584045876327968532015-02-24T15:25:00.000-08:002015-02-24T19:06:39.036-08:00Christianbookmom is now on Instagram!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-134179205467373932015-02-23T12:49:00.002-08:002015-02-23T12:51:31.833-08:00Quote from Anne Lamott<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; font-family: Gabriela, serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I heard a preacher say recently that hope is a revolutionary patience...Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up."</span></div>
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~Anne Lamott</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-16304259379345869032015-02-09T08:48:00.001-08:002015-02-22T15:07:30.755-08:005 Books On My Nightstand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Quiet</i></b> by Susan Cain is a look at the introvert in our culture and understanding more of who they are.<br />
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<b><i>Make It Happen</i></b> by Lara Casey is a powerful book on making the God given dreams you have into reality. It's a look at what hinders you from stepping out into your destiny-such as fear and perfectionism. Lara is very down to earth and transparent as she shares her journey to living a life on purpose.<br />
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<b><i>Simplicity Parenting</i></b> by Kim John Payne focuses on living out the dreams you have for your family, which may mean simplifying your life, material clutter, or pace of life in order to accomplish them.<br />
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<b><i>God As He Longs For You To See Him</i></b> by Chip Ingram takes you deeper in your perspective of God and how you see Him. Ingram sheds great light on God's goodness, sovereignty, holiness, wisdom, justice, love and faithfulness.<br />
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<b><i>Wheat Belly</i></b> by William Davis talks about the negative impact wheat has on our bodies. It is full of history, research and examples showing how wheat effects insulin resistance, pH balance, heart, skin, the aging process, and much more. Davis encourages a wheat free lifestyle, and gives lots of help (and recipes) to do so.<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-17086107170956163222014-12-22T18:17:00.000-08:002014-12-22T18:17:54.739-08:00My Cross to Carry<div style="font-size: large;">
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A troubled and burdened man prayed and prayed that God would lift his burden. Day after day he prayed that his life would be easier and he begged for God's intervention.</div>
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One day, Jesus came to the man and asked, "My child, what troubles you?" The man replied that his life was full of turmoil and that it had become too much to bear. He again asked for help stating that he just couldn't continue to go on.</div>
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Jesus, feeling the man's anguish, decided help was in order. The man was so happy that his prayers were about to be answered that his burden already felt lighter.</div>
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Jesus took the man to a room and stopped in front of the door. When he opened the door, what the man saw was amazing. The room was filled with crosses; little crosses, big crosses, giant crosses. The man, bewildered, looked at Jesus and asked how this would help him. Jesus explained that each cross represented a burden that people carry; small burdens, big burdens, giant burdens -- and every burden in-between.</div>
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At this point, Jesus offered the man the opportunity to choose his burden. The man, so excited that he was finally able to have some control over his life, looked around the room for just the right cross. He saw a tiny little cross way back int he corner. It was the smallest cross in the room. After a bit of thought, he pointed to the cross and said, "That one, Lord. I want that one." Jesus asked, "Are you sure, my son?" The man quickly replied, "Oh, yes Lord. Most definitely, yes."</div>
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Jesus turned to the man and replied, "My child, you have chosen your own cross. It is the burden you already carry."</div>
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~Author Unknown~<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-20677827316404049862014-12-12T16:51:00.000-08:002014-12-12T16:51:39.932-08:00Do You Want to Build a Snowman?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"...if you've got young kids, it doesn't take long to realize that there won't be many Christmas seasons when the little ones will race downstairs in the morning to see what Santa brought. They won't always be eager to bake with you, spilling flour on the counter in their excitement. Eventually they won't care if you don't put up a giant tree or go caroling or make hot chocolate. They'll allow you to beg off making a snowman because you're tired. But there are only a few winters-and only a few days each winter when it's snowy and you all are home together-that your children will ask to make snowmen with you. Someday, perhaps, you will be staring at the snow from the too-simple room of a hospital or nursing home, dreaming of the days when making snowmen with your children was an option. This realization leads to a different question than that suggested by all these tips on simplifying the holidays. Namely, what are you saving your energy for? This is all there is. Anything could happen and you are not guaranteed another snowman. So make a fuss. Make a show. Spend your energy now."</span></div>
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~taken from<i> What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast</i> by Laura Vanderkam</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-73759628927817888082014-10-13T12:11:00.001-07:002014-10-13T12:11:12.111-07:00Quote from Aristotle<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~Aristotle</span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-62515469848477743122014-09-30T22:13:00.000-07:002014-09-30T22:13:45.471-07:00Helpful Tip Tuesday: Questions to Ask Yourself about Praise<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Am I a "fair-weather Christian" who praises the Lord only when all is well and my circumstances are ideal? (1 Thessalonians 5:18)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Does my life lack that overflowing spirit of praise that characterizes those who are rooted, grounded, and established in the faith? (Colossians 2:6-7)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Have I submitted myself to the Lord to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, by "<i>continually praising and blessing God</i>"? (Luke 24:53)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Am I a "draw-back Christian" in whom God has no pleasure, because I withhold joyful, unceasing praises to my Lord? (Hebrews 10:38)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Am I neglecting the thanksgiving and praise that are essential to an effective prayer life? (Philippians 4:6)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Do I fully comprehend that every time I offer words of praise to God, I am truly glorifying Him? (Psalm 50:23)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Am I experiencing the victory in spiritual warfare that can only be brought about through praise? (2 Corinthians 10:4)</span><br />
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~taken from <i>There's Dynamite in Praise</i> by Don Gossett<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-33490072467995114522014-08-19T15:10:00.000-07:002014-08-19T15:15:06.886-07:00Helpful Tip Tuesday: 11 Questions Kids Can Ask A Grandparent<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; font-family: Gabriela, serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"If the conversation doesn't flow freely between your kids and their grands, consider these ways to jump-start it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 1. What was Daddy like as a kid? What was your favorite thing to do together?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 2. How did you and Grandma first meet?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 3. What jobs have you had? What was the worst? The best?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 4. Whom did you look up to when you were a kid?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 5. Can you tell me about the day Mommy was born?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 6. What kinds of toys did you like to play with when you were little and what activities did you do for fun?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 7. What was your hardest chore as a kid?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 8. Did you or Grandpa play a musical instrument or a sport? Were you good at it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 9. In what ways are you and I the most alike?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">10. Did my mom give you any trouble as a kid? Can you tell me a story about it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">11. How did your family celebrate the holidays when you were a child?"</span><br />
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~taken from Parents Magazine, pg. 183, Sept. 2014<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-63490293243343035482014-08-13T06:14:00.001-07:002014-09-29T17:30:15.243-07:00Real Love<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"A person who feels loved, lives with relief that they do not have to perform. They live with joy to know they are acceptable as they are. They live with hope because they are not alone."</span></span><br />
~Sally Clarkson</div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-52838993417717521442014-08-05T08:27:00.002-07:002014-08-05T08:29:22.039-07:00Power Of Praise<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Praise unlocks heaven's portals;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise causes doubts to cease;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise brings precious blessings;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise leaves the sweetest peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise breaks all bands asunder;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise sets the captives free;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise lightens every burden;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise is the master key.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise changes circumstances;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise establishes the heart;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When praise becomes perpetual,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Praise is a Holy Art.</span></div>
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-Francis Metcalfe</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-42559201478627860382014-04-08T16:20:00.000-07:002014-04-08T16:20:12.287-07:00The Touch of the Master's Hand Poem<div class="section1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 113.90625px; margin-right: 113.90625px;">
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'Twas battered and scarred,<br />And the auctioneer thought it<br />hardly worth his while<br />To waste his time on the old violin,<br />but he held it up with a smile.</div>
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"What am I bid, good people", he cried,<br />"Who starts the bidding for me?"<br />"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"<br />"Two dollars, who makes it three?"<br />"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"</div>
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But, No,<br />From the room far back a gray bearded man<br />Came forward and picked up the bow,<br />Then wiping the dust from the old violin<br />And tightening up the strings,<br />He played a melody, pure and sweet<br />As sweet as the angel sings.</div>
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The music ceased and the auctioneer<br />With a voice that was quiet and low,<br />Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"<br />As he held it aloft with its' bow.</div>
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"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"<br />"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"<br />"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,<br />Going and gone", said he.</div>
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The audience cheered,<br />But some of them cried,<br />"We just don't understand."<br />"What changed its' worth?"<br />Swift came the reply.<br />"The Touch of the Masters Hand."</div>
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And many a man with life out of tune<br />All battered with bourbon and gin<br />Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd<br />Much like that old violin</div>
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A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,<br />A game and he travels on. </div>
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He is going once, he is going twice,<br />He is going and almost gone.</div>
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But the Master comes,<br />And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,<br />The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought<br />By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.</div>
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~<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Myra Brooks Welch</i></div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-63835552018344649642014-02-24T09:58:00.002-08:002014-02-24T09:58:49.604-08:00Quote from Beth Moore<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't assume that God will always work in your life the way He always has. A sunset is proof that God colors outside the lines. He has no status quo. Even the laws of nature are His to interrupt. As many times as you've prayed before, today may be the day when God sends the answer so swiftly-so divinely-that you're windburned.</span></div>
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~Beth Moore<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-68642046464151341352014-01-14T12:58:00.000-08:002014-01-14T12:58:29.218-08:00Quote from Ann Voskamp<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/_CarNcodpCMA/TDKMdx9dOfI/AAAAAAAAIVU/nd2decIKB-o/s1600/silocameo.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #509ac9; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-pin-url="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/vintage-silhouette-clip-art-woman-in-oval-frame/" src="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/_CarNcodpCMA/TDKMdx9dOfI/AAAAAAAAIVU/nd2decIKB-o/s400/silocameo.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 99%;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"...it’s only when a woman knows her real identity that she can really defeat the enemy."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~Ann Voskamp</span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-13545610651062366242014-01-09T11:09:00.002-08:002014-01-09T11:10:29.409-08:00Quote from Corrie Ten Boom<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~Corrie Ten Boom</span></div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2416199573440306646.post-24937002697208035032013-12-24T22:08:00.000-08:002013-12-24T22:08:38.107-08:00Christmas Prayer Before Opening Presents<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; font-family: Gabriela, serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
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<a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Vintage-Ribbon-Image-GraphicsFairy-org.jpg" style="color: #509ac9;"><img alt="Vintage Ribbon Images" class="alignnone wp-image-27276" height="263" src="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Vintage-Ribbon-Image-GraphicsFairy-org-1024x486.jpg" style="border: none; display: inline; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 99%;" width="553" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3a3e3e; font-family: proxima-nova, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25px;">"Let me just for a moment, Lord, hold this time in my heart. It is about mysteries and gratitude, unknowing and wrong sizes, snippets of ribbon and screams of delight. Help me to remember the immense love you have for each of us in this room. With each gift that is opened, no matter how perfect or not, let me feel again the many ways you gift us each day, especially with your presence in our hearts and the presence of each other in our lives." </span><span style="color: #3a3e3e; font-family: proxima-nova, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 25px;">~ Author Unknown</span></h1>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750667975470483256noreply@blogger.com0