tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48198628009892757502024-03-13T12:39:30.163-07:00Not A Dead EndBeki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-82238861069348726922023-12-26T21:10:00.000-08:002023-12-26T21:37:31.662-08:00Traditions - Change? <div class="separator"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">“I am the Lord, and I do not change...”</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Malachi 3:6a GNT</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hebrews 13:8 CEV</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Do you or your family have traditions? Holiday’s (food, details, etc.), Game day celebrations, school productions, plays, band recital, and more?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1">Growing up, one of my fond memories is that my mom would make birthday (sheet) cake for Jesus at Christmas time. This was always carrot cake, with cream cheese frosting and walnuts</span><span class="s1"> on top. </span>We would enjoy the cake at some point after singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My husband’s family celebrated Christmas Eve by attending church, having soup, or other sort of food spread, and opening stockings. The items inside the stockings were wrapped as well. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When we got married we combined these (and other) traditions. My husband isn’t super fond of soup, so we would have chili and cornbread, or sandwiches, or something else easy.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As our kids grew up, one didn’t like carrot cake, so some years we had chocolate cake. Most of us like carrot cake, at some point it became a two-tier round, one year my father-in-law asked if we could add raisins into the cake, so we did - Yum!</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My husband makes baklava and it has the most amazing mixture for part of the layering process, I discovered sprinkling that on top of the frosting of the carrot cake took it to a whole new level! </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We’ve served brownies, or other treats, but always birthday cake for Jesus.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>What changed?</b> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The cake flavor (sometimes)</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Adding of raisins</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Changing the topping</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Celebrating on various days in December based on travel, church services, extended family celebrations, etc.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>What Never changes?</b></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1">God - Psalm 90:2 / </span>102:27 </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">His Love - Psalm 100:5 </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1"></span>He doesn’t lie / Can’t lie - Numbers 23:19 His Faithfulness - 2 Timothy 2:13</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He Is Unchanging - Hebrews 6:17</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">No Variables / No change - James 1:17</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Everything around us changes, however we can TRUST God to be consistent and He will never change!</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My prayer for you is that as 2023 comes to a</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">close and enter into 2024, that you would continue to trust the Lord regardless of what ever you face.</span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-79717668735109233632023-04-21T17:09:00.000-07:002023-04-21T17:09:09.743-07:00Get Out Of The Tent <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 35px; font-weight: bold;">Get Out Of The Tent</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Genesis 15:5 “And the Lord brought Abram outside [his tent into the night]…”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Step One: Get out of the tent!</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Step Two: Look Up! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Look now toward the heavens…”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Step Three: Believe God!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“And Abram believed the Lord,…”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Genesis 15:6 NLT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“I am the Lord who brought you out...””</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Genesis 15:7 NLT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Before getting out of the tent Abram was complaining that God hadn’t followed through on His promises. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Right after “…the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.””</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Genesis 15:1 NKJV</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In the middle is getting out of the tent! A change of perspective. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sometimes we want to loathe in self-pity, doubt, our sin, time lost, promises forgotten, etc. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I believe God wants us to get out of our tent, focus on Him and His promises. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He’s with us in the tent, He is calling us out of the tent, where He will also be with us, and then to venture into the unknown where He will lead us and is there with us as well. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My prayer for you is that no matter where you are: in the tent, still looking up, or on your journey forward that you would allow God to be your shield and your great reward! He will give you strength and be with you every step of the way. </span></p>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-36791579551590101512023-02-09T14:39:00.001-08:002023-02-09T14:39:39.438-08:00Advocate<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Assert</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Defender </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Vindicate</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Overseer</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Champion </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Attendant</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Trustee </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Escort</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">1 John 2:1 b KJV</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Speak up for the people who have no voice, …”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Proverbs 31:8a MSG</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It has been a challenging few weeks! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My mom went into the hospital with diabetic related symptoms. We were in the emergency room for approximately ten hours until she was admitted. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">She was in diabetic coma for a time, and had moments of just not feeling well. There were times it looked hopeful for her to be discharged, and then something would happen that made them want to continue to watch her. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">During her stay she was officially diagnosed with dementia. We knew that this was a possibility, but to hear it is still hard. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I am my mom’s medical power of attorney, and with this now my job to care for her and ensure she receives the care she needs going for, I’ve had a lot of phone calls, shake a few trees, and be firm on my stance.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I try to be kind yet firm. As I typed out various words that spell advocate, I have had to walk in all of those shoes on and for my mom. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I also have an advocate, Jesus! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He has done all for me and even more than I can imagine! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I’m thankful for his wisdom, grace, mercy, etc. during this difficult time. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 26px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My prayer for you is that you look to the Lord, the only one that can fight for you on all fronts and stand in the gap when you have nothing left to give. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-79997351986663177102023-01-19T22:10:00.000-08:002023-01-19T22:10:02.909-08:00Trust over Blame <p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trust - Word of the Year for 2023. </span></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So far this year, I know people fighting cancer, a friend that moved without her house selling first, our son starting a business with a friend, my mom in the hospital, new jobs, the unknown and TRUST! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: underline;">Trust</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Blame </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Trust says I don’t know what’s going to happen but I know and rely on the one who does. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Blame says it’s not going as planned and it’s all God’s fault. I trusted Him and it didn’t work out.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">If we trust COMPLETELY that means we must choose not to depend on our understanding.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Isaiah 55:8 NLT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We can’t depend on ourself and on God. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We than have to continue in the trust cycle by seeking. As we seek his will in all we do (depending on God) - He will show us the path to take. </span></p><p><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /></p><div dir="ltr" id="AppleMailSignature" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Beki</div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-2042693416298125572020-12-13T11:53:00.001-08:002020-12-13T11:53:19.865-08:00Unprecedented Jesus<p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;">Unprecedented: “never done or known before”</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">As we approach Christmas, let us remember that when the angel came to Mary, and told her she would give birth to a son and she was a virgin, and the son she was carrying would save the world...this was unprecedented!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Luke 1:26-56</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">2020’s tag words aren’t new! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Social distancing - The wise men took the long way out of town Matthew 2:12</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Pandemic - Too many to count ... Look at the Israelites and their journey out of Egypt!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Social Unrest / discrimination - The Israelites and then everyone else </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Quarantine (Alone Together) - Mary and Joseph alone in the stable and Jesus lying in the manger Luke 2:16 </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Trying Times - Mary and Joseph took a long journey (90 miles by donkey) while she was very pregnant Luke 2:1-5</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Shortages - No room in the Inn </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Essential - Jesus being born Acts 4:12</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Elections - King Herod was on the throne and didn’t want a new king in town Matthew 2:3</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Census - This is what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem Luke 2</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold;">Something that was never done before, was Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us was born with the sole purpose of dying for our sins.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">“Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15 MSG</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold;">Something that was never known before, is His love for us! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:31-39 MSG</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">As we finish this unprecedented year, let us hold tight to our unprecedented Jesus! “For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Hebrews 13:8 MSG</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My prayer for you is that wherever this finds you today, that you would see and believe the hope that is in Jesus! He never fails! He is ...</span></p>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-67497443071161027592020-04-29T12:08:00.001-07:002020-04-29T12:08:13.762-07:00Writing it in the Dirt<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Everyone seems to have their own perspective on the COVID-19 situation. The Democrats and Republicans, the healthcare workers and systems, who is essential and who is not, to wear masks and gloves or not, the list goes on.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">I too have really struggled in this season. I am an extrovert and I have been isolated due to illness in the past and I don’t like it!</span></div>
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<span class="s2">The arguing, the name calling and out right hate speech from people is just disheartening. I know that strong opinions can come from fear, or anger when we don’t have control over what is going on.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Today, I was trying not to be irritated by the things I read online, I felt the Lord reminding me of this story.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">There was a woman who had been caught in sin and the religious scholars and Pharisees led her over to Jesus.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” John 8:3-11 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Time and time again the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus. He never engaged in arguments. He simply showed grace, mercy and salvation. In this situation, He wrote something in the dirt. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">WOW! What would our world look like if we showed grace, mercy and pointed others towards salvation? None of us have the answers and none of us are without sin. So, instead of posting all the things, write it down, give it to God!</span></div>
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<span class="s2">In this season, let us remember we are not alone, and we need each other!</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalms 16:8 NLT</span></div>
Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-64099439612062982902019-12-11T16:59:00.001-08:002019-12-11T16:59:16.045-08:00Stay In Your Lane <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Have you heard this expression “Stay in your lane”? This to me is selfish. If we stay in our own lane our focus is only on ourself. Stay in your lane (one lane at a time) only while driving!</span></div>
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<span class="s2">What if Jesus stayed in his own lane?</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Luke 8:40-56 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“On his return, Jesus was welcomed by a crowd. They were all there expecting him. A man came up, Jairus by name...He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his home because his twelve-year-old daughter, his only child, was dying. Jesus went with him, making his way through the pushing, jostling crowd.” (V:40-42)</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages... She touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When no one stepped forward, Peter said, “But Master, we’ve got crowds of people on our hands. Dozens have touched you.” (V:43-45)</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“While he was still talking, someone from the leader’s house came up and told him, “Your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher.” (V:49)</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Wow, Jesus stepped out of his lane! He was on the way to heal Jairus’ child (now presumably dead) to speak to a women who had faith for her own healing. Jesus took the time after he realized his garment had been touched! “Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!” (V:48) </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Meanwhile at Jairus’ home “Everyone was crying and carrying on over her. Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She didn’t die; she’s sleeping. Then Jesus, gripping her hand, called, “My dear child, get up.” She was up in an instant, up and breathing again!...”(V:52-56)</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Two people in this one passage were healed! If Jesus would have stayed in his lane, the sick child would’ve been made well and it’s still a miracle. However, Jesus got out of his lane, healed the woman on the way to heal the child.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Another of my favorite where Jesus did not stay in his lane is when he saw Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Take some time to read this as well.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">My prayer for you is as you are on your road to wherever, doing whatever, that you would not be afraid to get out of your lane or out of your comfort zone to be his hands and feet to those around you.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">I am so grateful for those who have come alongside me when I needed it and that the extended their hand from their lane to mine!</span></div>
Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-91946602852150028942019-12-04T16:55:00.002-08:002019-12-04T16:55:17.561-08:00Remodel<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span style="font-size: 17px;">“Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Ephesians 2:7-10 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Have you ever been part of a remodel project? We are in the midst of one right now. Our home was built in 1910 and has had lots of owners over the years. Currently it has a bathroom and a laundry room, both of which were not indoors at the time the house was built! </span></div>
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<span class="s2">The kitchen is galley style and not very big. At a quick glance its super cute. White cabinetry with silver handles, brown tile, brown sink, and white appliances. Cosmetically speaking the kitchen was livable, but when the Sheetrock came down we were able to see wiring not done correctly, pieces of flooring cut out and much more!</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Anytime you decide to start something there are a lot of steps for the complete process. Walls have to come down, wires have to be fixed, floors and walls patched, textured, painted and new items moved in. Demo day can come with the excitement of the promise of change that is to come. A week or two in when all kinds of progress is being made sometimes it feels slow. There is debris with both the fall out and the progress. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Man if this isn’t true of our lives we want the finish product; the weight loss, the spouse, the kid(s), the relationship mended, the job, the fill in the blank. The beginning can seem exciting, the progress slow and some days you think a lot was done, but its not visible to anyone. Once everything is pealed back you are able to fill the cracks, plug the holes and start to see a picture of what is to come. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">My prayer for you is that during your season of remodel, renewal and refreshing, that you will “join him in the work he does” and that you will see all that God has for you. “Search me, God, and know my heart;” Psalms 139:23a NIV The finished product is so much better that we can even imagine, but it takes faith, work, hope, and “trust him enough to let him do it”. </span></div>
Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-25353446338489259072019-10-31T09:30:00.000-07:002019-10-31T09:30:52.081-07:00Cool Bike!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If your bike was rusty, had a flat tire, or missing a tire, displayed a warped frame, etc. no one would say this to you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it,” </span><span style="background: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ecclesiastes 9:10 MSG</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My husband has been an avid bicyclist. He has been riding bikes since he was a kid. When we got married, he owned a road bike. These bikes are known for speed. Bicycles designed to take you places. He used to ride his bike to college and to work as a young man. He also participated in two longer rides, both over 200 miles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In preparation to ride, he makes sure of a few key items; such as air in the tires, making sure the brakes work, and that it is aligned. These basic checks will ensure his safety. He also comes up with a plan. How far will he ride, what is the safest route? When the longer rides (which are planned way in advance) come up, he is ready! He has done many long rides in preparation, he has checked all the components on his bike, taken it to the shop for a tune-up, packed supplies (such as pump, patches for tube, extra tube, changing kit) along with snacks and water that will last from start to first rest stop.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What if he just had a bike? What if he had the bike, but the tires were flat? What if …</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How many things are we doing that we aren’t fully engaged because we don’t have the time, resources, energy, etc. to put into them?</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that I have had my plate more than full in different seasons. I want to challenge and encourage you to take a look at what you are doing, what you are preparing for, don’t just prepare for the race, but start running (or biking)!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"</span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">”</span><span style="font-weight: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG)</span> </span></h3>
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Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-45783864294342641382018-08-30T22:13:00.002-07:002018-08-30T22:13:55.542-07:00Market AnalysisHave you ever House shopped? “It will be fun” they say! Fun? It’s crazy!<br />
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Buyers Market, Sellers Market. All I know is that if no one is buying, then you’re not selling!<br />
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Home warranties, inspections, earnest money, down payment, closing costs, market analysis, etc. - it’s exhausting!<br />
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Market Analysis: “Studies the attractiveness and dynamics of a special market within a special industry.” Wikipedia<br />
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“A phase of research conducted to determine factors, conditions and characteristics of a market.” Dictionary<br />
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I’m so thankful my life doesn’t depend on all these things!<br />
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I’m reminded of an old hymn.<br />
“Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina Hall.<br />
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“Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; ...<br />
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For nothing good have I ... My ransomed soul shall rise, Jesus died my soul to save, ...”<br />
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Ransom: The sum or price paid or demanded.<br />
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In the housing market, a house price can go up or down, houses can go into a bidding war if multiple people want the same place.<br />
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Jesus paid the ultimate, highest price for us! For my sin and yours!<br />
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Mark 10:45 (NLT) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”<br />
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1 Timothy 2:6a (TPT) “He gave himself as ransom-payment for everyone.”<br />
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Wherever you find yourself in this market—<br />
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New - not sure if your worth the purchase<br />
Price Drop - devalued, uncertain<br />
Price Increase - He will pay the highest price!<br />
Pending - undecided, unresolved<br />
Sold - bought by the blood of Jesus!<br />
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I pray that you will see that you are loved where you are at.<br />
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Romans 5:8 (TPT) “But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!”<br />
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<br />Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-68853549246161949452018-07-26T22:15:00.000-07:002018-07-26T22:26:48.289-07:00New Norm ... Who’s Norm?<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It’s so crazy how fast and how slow five years feels.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It’s been said that cancer “cannot cripple love.” I was diagnosed seven months after our 20th anniversary. Ron has been rock solid! He loves me, encourages me and tells me I am beautiful! I have so many scars, my weight has gone up and down, I’ve been tired and had sleepless nights. He even buzzed my hair when I started to lose it after I started chemo, I am so thankful for him! He told me the other day, he’s glad I am still here! #Blessed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot shatter hope.” “Hope is the anchor for the soul” Hebrews 6:19 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I believe you just have to have hope in the faith. They really go hand in hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot corrode faith.” My faith was the strongest it had ever been during this darkest hour. God gave me strength, and determination and grit! Don’t get me wrong, there were days that I cried, slept all day, and just didn’t want to do this anymore, but I knew I was going to get through it and that God would use my story. I knew that God was with me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot eat away peace.” The day of my bilateral mastectomy I had such peace. “God’s wonderful peace transcends human understanding” Philippians 4:7 I woke up that morning and did not have a worry about the surgery, the healing process or anything else. It was such a blessing to know that people around the globe were praying for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot destroy confidence.” Not sure about this one ... You have to dig deep when you are a woman and completely bald. I gained confidence in some areas and struggled in others. I would say “rock what you got!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot kill friendship.” Oh man...am I thankful for Edie and Michelle! I have known Edie for over 30 years. She came and spent a week with me after surgery, called to check on me, sent cards, etc. I have known Michelle for over 20 years and she is my nurse friend (everyone needs one). She came to all my appointments (along with Ron), explained things, let me ask questions, was my advocate and sat with me during chemo. I am blessed by these two and many more that were in my corner during this journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot shut out memories.” Hmmmm I have memories, some clearer than others. After chemo & chemo brain I couldn’t remember why I went downstairs or names of things or people, but I can remember each cancer date like its a loved ones birthday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot silence courage.” I was silent for about a year. I didn’t want to talk about it. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be “normal”. Fact is I am not the same. Cancer isn’t who I am, It’s what I went through. It doesn’t define me, but it has changed me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot reduce eternal life.” Thank you Jesus! He is the one that holds the key to my life everlasting! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cancer “cannot quench the Spirit.” Ha Thankful for this! Sometimes people are shocked that I can laugh at some of the things that happened or that I went through. That’s who I am ... Always have ... and always will be!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">One of my favorite verses in this season and now is Isaiah </span><span style="direction: ltr; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">43:2MSG</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God...”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I am thankful for the people that I have met, and the things I have learned. I have seen the faithfulness of God, I am blessed by my family and friends. I am grateful that I am alive!</span></div>
Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-25066570006081137712018-01-07T14:13:00.000-08:002018-01-07T14:13:46.929-08:00Joy ~ Unspeakable <div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Joy: “The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText-Italic"; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic;">” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText-Italic"; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic;">~Webster</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">When diagnosed with breast cancer we made a conscious effort and bold declaration to laugh at hard things. We didn’t do this as a mockery or to be offensive, but to decide to find humor and joy even during our trial. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">It’s an Unspeakable joy. One others don’t understand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”</span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1 Peter</span><span style="direction: ltr; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="direction: ltr; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1:8</span><span style="direction: ltr; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="direction: ltr; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">KJV</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">To me this is part of faith. We have faith and believe that God exists even though we can’t see him in the flesh. With this in mind we choose to rejoice in and through our hardships believing that God is in control! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">This is not always easy...life is hard and trials seem to come and go like the waves in the ocean. There are days when I literally sat out loud “God if you love me ...” or “God do you hear me? Or even care?” I have to remember what the Bible says and some of my favorite verses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">“I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Isaiah 41:10 MSG</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">“I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.””</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">When you choose joy in spite of what your going through it makes life bearable. Being negative, sad or wallowing in your trial takes more time and energy. When you choose joy, people want to know why. This is a perfect opportunity to point them to Christ! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">My prayer for 2018 is that we continue to find joy in all things! My prayer for you is that no matter what you are going through that you would be able to find joy. Joy comes from remembering what you have been brought through, and understanding what can come out of what your going through. God is able to get you through your biggest trial and give you joy for the journey. </span></div>
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Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-27562222308390383412017-05-08T11:24:00.001-07:002017-05-08T11:41:11.887-07:00DIY ~ RIFY (DO It Yourself ~ Read It For Yourself)<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">DIY ~ RIFY</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">(DO It Yourself ~ Read It For Yourself)</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">There are so many shows that are DIY "Do It Yourself", but really God calls us to do life together. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Ecclesiastes </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">4:12</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">MSG</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">With thirty people a whole backyard is crashed and transformed in just two days!</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Do you have the guts to take on a Fixer Upper?"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“God does both the making and saving." </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Ephesians </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">2:10</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">a MSG</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"You don't have to be rich to live in paradise!"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Psalms </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">37:11</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">ESV</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Stone House Revival"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Matthew </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">16:18</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">MSG</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Flip Or Flop"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">ISAIAH</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">43:19</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">AMP</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"My Lottery Dream Home"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">John</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">14:2</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">KJV</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Do You Want To Run In The Rat Race? Or Chase Your Dreams?"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got..”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1 Corinthians</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">9:24-26 MSG</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Rehab Addict"</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>very day Christ Jesus appears.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Philippians </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1:6</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">MSG</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">My prayer for you is that as you navigate this life, with all the ebbs and flows that you would remember the promises of God! May you find encouragement knowing how much He loves you and that His plans for you are for good!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love."</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">Ephesians</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1:4</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">MSG</span></p><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wtqi3j83Cg8/WRC7x_Dd99I/AAAAAAAAAVo/bTcjAsKr43c71gzswOHWXkU4ZNsPXSRmgCHM/s640/blogger-image--1943407652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wtqi3j83Cg8/WRC7x_Dd99I/AAAAAAAAAVo/bTcjAsKr43c71gzswOHWXkU4ZNsPXSRmgCHM/s640/blogger-image--1943407652.jpg"></a></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-34798617101368669262017-03-29T22:56:00.001-07:002017-03-30T11:24:14.853-07:00Survival Is Not For The Weak<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Survivor: A person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardships or setbacks.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"Continues to function" this pretty much sums it all up! This July will be four years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">I have been through surgeries, chemo and countless doctors appointments. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Surviving comes with a lot of mixed emotions that no one prepares you for. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">I am beyond grateful that God has allowed me another day. I have met so many people that have walked this road and are in varying stages of diagnosis, decisions, fighting or surviving cancer (or other diseases). I also have had survivors guilt. Although grateful that I am cancer free I have seen others continue to battle on as their cancer has metastasized. Some are single moms, some still have young kids at home or both. Some are young children with parents having to make choices no parent should have to make for the health, and life of their child. Others have regular scans and daily chemo regimens they are have to partake in. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">I have held my head high, and stayed confident in my God. I have had some great triumphs, been tired beyond belief and had some set backs. One of the things that I have to do to survive is take a monthly chemo shot that reduces the amount of estrogen my body produces to lower the chances of reoccurrence of cancer in my body. It has caused many sleepless nights, neuropathy in my hands and a few other side effects to boot. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">In just a few weeks I will have a (TAH-BSO) total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This surgery will reduce the amount of estrogen that my body produces and then I will not have to take the monthly chemo shot. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">I have really tried to keep forward momentum, make better health choices, loose weight, and embrace my hair cowlicks with a fun hair style! I've learned to rest and take care of myself. I also get frustrated that I don't have the energy to do more and plan naps along with having fun.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">In my moments of not being able to sleep I get lost in thought and realize that God knew all of these things and has big plans for my life!</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life!”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">Job</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">33:4</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">"You gave me life itself, and incredible love. You watched and guarded every breath I took.” Job </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">10:8-12</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">My prayer for you is that if you are healthy, sick, injured, lonely, sad, surviving, fighting or just hanging on that you would see what God has for you in the season you are in. How you navigate what you are going through can put your faith into action. God is with you every step of the way. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">41:10</span></p><div><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText'; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"><br></span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ikGflnWtd5g/WN1NTZIBJGI/AAAAAAAAAU4/DDIeZR4pWdw/s640/blogger-image--1079896122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ikGflnWtd5g/WN1NTZIBJGI/AAAAAAAAAU4/DDIeZR4pWdw/s640/blogger-image--1079896122.jpg"></a></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-27864302778289356092016-08-16T07:27:00.001-07:002016-08-16T07:27:38.509-07:00Encouragement<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The dictionary defines the word encourage as follows: </span></div><div>"to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence" </div><div><br></div><div>When I think of the word encourage I think about physically, mentally and spiritually coming alongside someone on their journey. This is not a job that requires a resume, a degree or a ton of life experience, what it does require is empathy. Sometimes we do have life experiences that validate our words, sometimes we have no words, but we need to validate their feelings. </div><div><br></div><div>"BE KIND. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."</div><div><br></div><div>We usually feel compelled to say something or offer help when a friend is in need. Sometimes people say the dumbest things. They mean well, but just don't know what to say. </div><div><br></div><div>I am so thankful for a whole book that says all the right things!</div><div><br></div><div>"Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10 MSG</div><div><br></div><div>“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NLT</div><div><br></div><div>“I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 MSG</div><div><br></div><div>“Your GOD is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 MSG</div><div><br></div><div>“but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Daniel 11:32b NKJV</div><div><br></div><div>“And with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Isaiah 53:5b AMP</div><div><br></div><div>“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls." Hebrews 6:19a NLT</div><div><br></div><div>“Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life— </div><div>Job 19:26a MSG</div><div><br></div><div>“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God"</div><div>Isaiah 43:2-3 MSG</div><div><br></div><div>Here are some other quotes that I found captivating:</div><div><br></div><div>"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared to death" Omar Bradley</div><div><br></div><div>"Courage is the mastery of fear not the absence of fear" Mark Twain</div><div><br></div><div>"Be fabulous - God spared no enthusiasm when He created you!" Author Unknown</div><div><br></div><div>"I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb." Mandela </div><div><br></div><div>"In family life, love is the oil that eases the friction, the cement that binds closer together and the music that brings harmony" Eva Burrows</div><div><br></div><div>My prayer is as you read and re-read these verses they will attach to your spirit and when trouble comes your way, or you have a friend in need you will remember what God says! We don't have to have the right words, God does! Listen to his voice. Whatever you are facing - God IS: Our healer, our provider, our strength, our banner (feeling of hope; a focus point), our peace, our shepherd, our righteousness, and our friend. </div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-38309095914544822162016-04-21T08:21:00.001-07:002016-04-21T08:22:06.211-07:00And if not, God is still good!<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered the king. They said, “Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves to you. You can throw us into the blazing furnace. The God we serve is able to save us from the furnace and your power. If he does this, it is good. But even if God does not save us, we want you, our king, to know this: We will not serve your gods. We will not worship the gold statue you have set up.”" Daniel 3:16-18</span></div><div><br></div><div>What amazing resolve these young men had when faced with such adversity. They believed in God and knew that he is true to his word. They knew that God was to be worshipped and not the golden image set before them by the king. </div><div><br></div><div>They trusted God and did not waiver. Everyone around them buckled under pressure, they did not! They remained standing, strong, together. They weren't concerned about the consequences of an earthly King, they were servants of the Most High God.</div><div><br></div><div>I had this similar state of resolve as I walked through my cancer journey. I totally trusted God. I knew He could heal me (He did), but even if he didn't I knew that He is still good! There are other areas in life I don't seem to have this same sense of a resolve in. I get sidetracked by the problem. I bow to the pressure. </div><div><br></div><div>We have to remember who we serve and what he is capable of. Trials will come, health and marriages fail, finances come and go, BUT the God whom I serve is with us every step!</div><div><br></div><div>“Do not be afraid — I will save you. I have called you by name — you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you.” Isaiah 43:1b-3a</div><div><br></div><div>My prayer for you is that as you face your "Nebuchadnezzar" you would stand strong, with great resolve knowing that God is with you, He is for you, and He loves you! We can get caught up, distracted, and bow to the pressures of this life, don't get discouraged, stand back up! </div><div><br></div><div>“See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children" 1 John 3:1a</div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-40669714645300116292014-09-04T20:08:00.001-07:002014-09-04T20:08:58.854-07:00My Glass Is Half Empty<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NLT</span></div><div><br></div><div>If you say your glass is half empty you are considered a pessimist (someone who is more negative). If you say your glass is half full you are considered an optimist (someone who is more positive). Sometimes it doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full its has vinegar in it and well it stinks. Such is life. </div><div><br></div><div>Overall I am a pretty positive person and have been even told I minimize things. I will look at a situation and know that its not good, but can also see that it could have been worse. When we minimize our pain, our suffering or whatever we are going through we minimize the work that Christ does in our lives. </div><div><br></div><div>So I will say with great confidence that my glass is half empty. With this in mind The God of all hope can fill me completely! I am empty without his joy and peace in my life. I need to trust him with every detail not worrying how big or small it might be. Every detail in our life matters to the one that created us.</div><div><br></div><div>My prayer for you is that whether you find your glass half empty or half full that you would allow God to fill you all the way up! You can trust him to be your hope, your joy, your peace and so much more! Don't minimize what you are going through it may just stink, but God can and will give you the hope you need to not only walk with you through the situation but to bring you out! </div><div><br></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-11268093833834235912014-09-01T15:55:00.001-07:002014-09-01T15:55:56.347-07:00Consistency<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8 NLT</span></div><div><br></div><div>They say that consistency is key...sometimes I think the only think I am consistent about is being inconsistent!</div><div><br></div><div>I have moved 15 times, been to 10 churches, had too many cars to count (so many that recently I decided I should lease that way I could change cars every two years). I've had numerous jobs and tried several home businesses. </div><div>I have been consistent at my marriage to my husband of over 21 years and well I think that's it!</div><div><br></div><div>I was talking with a friend about this the other day and I felt like this was an area of weakness and that I needed to work harder at being consistent. I felt that The Lord wanted me to write about this and the above verse came to mind. Jesus is my constant. He has been there the whole time! Every move, every car, every church, every high and every low. I believe from my inconsistency God used that to propel me. I am not afraid of change, people, failure, etc. </div><div><br></div><div>So going forward I will not worry about my inconsistencies, or idiosyncrasies I will remember the words in this song and the faithfulness of my God.</div><div> </div><div>"If You can use anything Lord, You can use me</div><div>Take my hands Lord and my feet</div><div>Touch my heart Lord, speak through me</div><div>If You can use anything Lord, You can use me..." </div><div>Use Me by: The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir</div><div><br></div><div>My prayer for you is that whether you are consistent and don't like change, or change is your middle name that you would see the consistency of the one that spoke the world into existence and has been there for you all along. Jesus loves you and is crazy about you! He doesn't change and he is waiting for you to ask him to be part of your life and your journey and allow him to walk with you through everything. I am thankful for His consistency these past eleven months and really my whole life! He is faithful!</div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-30591906923419875272014-06-17T20:18:00.001-07:002014-06-17T20:18:07.358-07:00I Look Back<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4 MSG</span></div><div><br></div><div>Wow, it has been a crazy, busy, scary, exhausting roller-coaster of ride these past eleven months. I am working on gaining strength and endurance, but do find that I get tired and have to manage how I am feeling so that I don't wear out to quickly.</div><div><br></div><div>I found a lump in my armpit the other day and contacted my doctor. I will admit I was a little freaked out about it. My oncologist sent me to my surgeon to have an ultrasound. It turns out that it was a hair follicle that is infected. Prior to getting in with the doctor I heard a song by: Elevation Worship; "I Will Look Up" the lyrics struck a chord. (http://youtu.be/tEQnoE7SnZw)</div><div><br></div><div>"All the worries of this world, I will lay them at your feet</div><div>Surrender every anxious thought, For perfect peace...</div><div>Oh the loved ones I hold dear, All my hopes and dreams and all my fears</div><div>I will choose to trust your name, In everything...</div><div><br></div><div>I will look up for there is none above you, I will bow down to tell you that I need you</div><div>Jesus, Lord of all...</div><div>I will take you at your word, Jesus you have taken hold of me</div><div>All my life is in your hands, You're my strength...</div><div><br></div><div>I will look back and see that you are faithful, I look ahead believing you are able</div><div>Jesus, Lord of all...</div><div><br></div><div>Prince of Peace, Perfect Healer</div><div>All my life, all my cares on you</div><div>King of Kings, Mighty Savior</div><div>All my life, all my cares on you...</div><div><br></div><div>Prince of Peace</div><div>Perfect Healer</div><div>All my life, all my cares on you</div><div>King of Kings</div><div>Mighty Savior</div><div>All my life, all my cares on you..."</div><div><br></div><div>As I went to the doctor I had so many thoughts and feelings going on. I was hoping and praying it wouldn't be cancer. I thought about having to do chemo and lose my hair again and how exhausting the whole process would be again. So I chose to look back and recount the faithfulness of God. I also thought about the future and knew that no matter what the outcome that he would be faithful. He cares for me! I will tell the stories of his mighty, faithful acts! </div><div><br></div><div>My prayer for you that as you journey through life and whatever struggles you may have that when at the lowest point or highest peak you would be able to pause for a moment to reflect on the faithfulness of God and realize that He will see you through the next thing you face. I have learned to trust God and I laugh at the hard stuff because I know He will see me through! He will see you through too!</div><div><br></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-29744168557691746792014-05-20T20:02:00.001-07:002014-05-20T20:02:07.182-07:00Strong Enough?<div>"He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength" Isaiah 40:29 AMP</div><div><br></div><div>"My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." </div><div>2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG</div><div><br></div><div>I feel that I have been pretty transparent about what I have been going through, how I feel and such. I have been feeling pretty good and well on the road to recovery. </div><div>My hair is long enough that I just got a trim with scissors instead of electric clippers! I am able to have my nails done and I am feeling a little more "normal".</div><div><br></div><div>About four weeks ago I started getting headaches. They asked a ton of questions and I even had an MRI. One of the nurses where I worked asked me if I was stressed out. I said I didn't think so. She said that I have been through a lot these past eight months and have been so strong that my body could be trying to catch up. I started to think about this. I spoke to my nurse practitioner and she said that certain personality types get their diagnosis and just start down the path and don't look back or think twice, but then when it's all said and done it hits them like a brick. I think I've been hit by a brick! Two thousand thirteen was a year of great highs and great lows. From my dad passing away and my battle with cancer to celebrating twenty years with the best husband and traveling to South Africa. There were a lot of other things that were packed into last year as well. </div><div><br></div><div>I have been through a lot, but not as much as some. When I feel down I tell myself it could be worse, or that there are others in the midst of the battle. I have tried to maintain my personality, work ethic, my faith, and my family as if everything is okay and that it's all good. Well guess what? It's not all good. Life is hard and I am sick of people telling me my hair is cute when it's not a style choice for me, it's in the cards I was dealt. Even though I haven't had to go through what others have gone through I did go through a lot and I'm tired. I hate having to take a nap just so I can go out or get dinner ready or whatever. I get frustrated that my stamina is low, that I get fatigued and that no matter what I try I can't lose weight. My kids have said that I am the strongest person they know and I don't want them to think any different. The fact of the matter is that I'm not strong. Even though I have my faith, my family and such I am not strong enough to carry this burden alone. </div><div><br></div><div>This song "Strong Enough" by Matthew West really describes how I feel.</div><div><br></div><div>You must</div><div>You must think I'm strong</div><div>To give me what I'm going through</div><div><br></div><div>Well, forgive me</div><div>Forgive me if I'm wrong</div><div>But this looks like more than I can do</div><div>On my own</div><div><br></div><div>I know I'm not strong enough to be</div><div>everything that I'm supposed to be</div><div>I give up</div><div>I'm not stong enough</div><div>Hands of mercy won't you cover me</div><div>Lord right now I'm asking you to be</div><div>Strong enough</div><div>Strong enough</div><div>For the both of us</div><div><br></div><div>Well, maybe</div><div>Maybe that's the point</div><div>To reach the point of giving up</div><div><br></div><div>Cause when I'm finally</div><div>Finally at rock bottom</div><div>Well, that's when I start looking up</div><div>And reaching out</div><div><br></div><div>I know I'm not strong enough to be</div><div>Everything that I'm supposed to be</div><div>I give up</div><div>I'm not stong enough</div><div>Hands of mercy won't you cover me</div><div>Lord right now I'm asking you to be</div><div>Strong enough</div><div>Strong enough</div><div><br></div><div>Cause I'm broken</div><div>Down to nothing</div><div>But I'm still holding on to the one thing</div><div>You are God</div><div>and you are strong</div><div>When I am weak</div><div><br></div><div>I can do all things</div><div>Through Christ who gives me strength</div><div>And I don't have to be</div><div>Strong enough</div><div>Strong enough...</div><div><br></div><div>My prayer for you is that no matter what you are going through that you will realize that you don't have to do it alone and that you don't have to be strong the whole time. God is the strength of our life and our portion. We won't see his strength in being strong, but in our weakness. Find someone you can talk to! I am thankful for my best friend Edie for allowing me to be vulnerable and seeing me through in my highest and lowest points. She prays for me, checks on me and cares about my physical and emotional well being!</div><div><br></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-80493071236628237192014-04-17T13:34:00.001-07:002014-04-17T21:38:31.524-07:00Forty!<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"For forty years I led you..." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Deuteronomy 29:5a NLT<br><br>During my cancer journey I had my big fortieth birthday. I know quite a few people that have had a hard time with this particular birthday. My father-in-law was diagnosed with diabetes around his fortieth. I know others that have had their marriages end, endured a mid-life crisis, or faced other major, life-changing events.<br><br>Honestly, I wasn't approaching the big 4-0 with much enthusiasm anyway, and then I got cancer and had to have chemo right before my birthday. Really?! So then, to top it all off, I was bald on my birthday! It could only get better, right? <br><br>Now, five months later, I find myself thinking, "I just want to get my life back. I want to look and feel good." But it's not that simple. It's hard to accept that everything has changed.<br><br>Then, I started thinking about Jesus and His journey. I realized that He never got his life back. When He stepped out of heaven to join us on earth, His life changed forever. Once here, He gave it all. He never even celebrated his fortieth birthday. But His sacrifice and resurrection brought about a new normal that was all about new life. When He stepped out of the tomb, things again changed forever ... forever for the better. He made a way for all those He loved to spend eternity with Him. He completed His journey of identifying with us in all our pain and sorrow, so that we could know He truly understands what we are going through and He knows how to triumph over it. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world," John 16:33b.<br><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Surgery. Chemo. These things are their own death and resurrection. Through a process of death, new life comes to my body. They have brought me into a new normal, but it can be a "forever better" normal. If we come through any trial walking hand-in-hand with Jesus, He will bring us out the other side into new life. That's what He does!<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>As we approach Easter, I want to remember that this life is not my own, just as Jesus' life was not His own, but He gave His life for the salvation of many. He has led me this far and He died so that I could live! By His stripes, I am healed.<br>This is all good news!<br><br>My prayer for you, is that you would pause for a moment--in the midst of whatever you are going through--and realize what Jesus went through so that you don't have to do this life alone. He loves you so very much.<br><br>He is with us! Happy Easter. Happy Resurrection Day!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By: Beki Beane</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And Erica Faraone</span></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-2561263186628485932014-03-24T14:55:00.001-07:002014-03-24T14:57:21.722-07:00Redeemed? Say So!<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so," Psalm 107:2a ESV </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br>I also like this translation ... <br><br>"Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!" Psalms 107:2a NLT<br><br>The dictionary defines redeemed as follows:<br>"to buy or pay off, to recover, to exchange, to convert, to discharge or fulfill,<br>to make up for; make amends for; offset, to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner."<br><br>On some coupons the verbiage reads "redemption code". I have been pondering these words and have come to the conclusion that I am not the coupon, but Christ is the coupon. Jesus gave His life (the coupon) in order to purchase us from sin. The coupon has a redemption code (the blood of Jesus) and it's not a discount coupon. It's a "no exclusions", "paid in full" coupon! When Jesus died on the cross, it was for you and me. His blood was the atonement ("satisfaction for any wrong doing") for sin.<br><br>I had the privilege of talking to a cancer patient who is also a believer. Her fight with cancer started with breast cancer, two separate times, then a bout with spots on her liver and now some in her head. She is so positive and believes that God will heal her. But I left that conversation a little shaken. I told my friend that the lady was so positive and inspiring, but made me think about my health and wonder where I will be in a year or two past my battle with breast cancer. My friend told me that I shouldn't think like that. Honestly, I had a hard time with the whole thing. I am human, so how can I not think about the possibility of cancer returning? Or how life will turn out or ... whatever else? That's when the word "redeemed" kept coming to mind.<br><br>I don't need to worry about <span tabindex="0" class="">tomorrow</span>, or next year or cancer or finances or anything else. I have a life saving coupon! Because of Christ, I am redeemed and I need to "speak out", and "say so"! We all have troubles in this life, but we need to focus on Jesus and not our problems. Some of our problems may not ever be resolved this side of heaven, but how can we lead others to Christ if we're moping around about our troubles?<br><br>My prayer for you, is that no matter what you are facing that you would allow Christ to redeem you. Let Him have all of you. He has already done the hard work. I'm thankful that Jesus paid it all. I am thankful for the life He has given me and I pray that you can find contentment with what you're facing and be a light to others. If you allow God to shine through your troubles (burdens,) you will find that they are easier to carry. Perhaps because you are not actually carrying them at all.<br><br>“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”Matthew 11:28-30 MSG</span>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-44521844630372385182014-03-07T22:34:00.001-08:002014-03-07T22:34:07.277-08:00Iced or Hot?<div dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless." Revelation </span><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3:15-17</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> MSG</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br>I like to get coffee at a drive-thru coffee stand. We know most of the workers by name. I usually get a sugar-free white chocolate Americano. What changes is the temperature. I like to get them iced, hot and blended (like a shake.)<br>What I don't like is if it's supposed to be iced and it's not quite cold enough. Then you have to find ice to make it colder. I also don't like if it's a hot drink and by the time you get home it's warm. Yuck! I will put in the microwave for a few minutes to get it hot again.<br><br>Well, when it comes to things of the Lord, I want to be HOT! I want to be part of things that are moving, shaking and doing great things for the cause of Christ. After everything I have gone through, good, bad or indifferent, I owe this life to Him. I don't want to sit around and do the same things with the same people and not show others to the feet of Jesus.<br><br>If you are cold or not serving the Lord, you can stay the same and that is your choice. At least by being cold, you have made a decision to not pursue the things of God. Of course, that decision comes with other consequences, but that would be a topic for a different post.<br><br>If you are lukewarm, that is not a good place to be. This can look like a lot of things. Perhaps you know right from wrong, you have seen the goodness of God, but you are not really walking according to His principles. Lukewarm is an easy state to slip into and I get that. The joke was funny, so we laugh, even though it was wrong. The movie was hilarious. Inappropriate, but hilarious. Being lukewarm starts with compromise. The after awhile, you just end up hanging out there because its easy. You don't want to discount God or be cold, but you don't want to actively be hot either because it takes work. The Bible says that this is this is pitiful.<br><br>My prayer for you is that wherever you are in life, hot, cold or lukewarm, that you would make a solid decision. My desire and God's as well, is for you to be HOT! Be in the Word, get in a church that is moving forward and surround yourself with people that are in the Word, moving forward and HOT as well.</span></div><div><br></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-44296176720480401492014-03-06T13:27:00.001-08:002014-03-06T13:27:42.466-08:00One Million Dollars<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right?...You’re worth more than a million canaries." </span><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Matthew 10:29a & 31b MSG</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br>Not quite one million dollars, but by the time I am all done, the cost of all my treatments, surgery, doctors appointments, and medications will reach around a half million dollars! This is a lot of money and I am so thankful that we have good insurance. This floors me. I would never spend that kind of money on myself. When I shop, I buy for everyone else first. The two things I like to do for myself is getting my nails and my hair done. As of now, I can't do either! My nails are in the process of falling off because of chemo, and my hair is only about a half inch long. Basically, I am a cheap date right now!<br><br>To buy a canary at a local pet store would be about $140.00. Now I don't consider that loose change, but in comparison to other things we might spend money on, that's not a lot of money. God says we are worth MORE than a million canaries (that's $140,000,000.00)!<br><br>We are worth far more than we can imagine. He loves us and wants the very best for us. We need to value ourselves and see ourselves as God sees us.<br><br>My prayer for you is that no matter what you have thought about yourself or what people may have thought of you or even called you, that you would begin to see yourself as God sees you! You are worth far more than you can imagine!</span></div>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819862800989275750.post-71475146437613879902014-03-04T07:04:00.001-08:002014-03-04T07:04:35.984-08:00Order Number 5!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." Psalms 37:23 NKJV<br><br>Do you ever feel you are stuck in the great long line of life, waiting for your number to be called? Do you ever feel like you are just one of a million puzzle pieces in the hand of God, waiting for your piece to be put down to actually make something? Do you ever wonder if you have messed up the chance to be used by God? Maybe you have moved your own puzzle piece into the spilled coffee and now you have a soggy corner. Now what?<br><br>“I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go." Isaiah 48:17 MSG<br><br>If we can learn anything from the Bible, we should learn from the Israelites, God's chosen people. At times they were a bunch of knuckleheads just doing their own thing. When they actually listened to the Lord, He always came through and directed them where they should go. At times, they seemed like a bunch of numbers! Thousands of them wandering for 40 days and nights, but God did have a plan for them! From their lineage the Messiah would come. From their mistakes we would see God's grace and continued favor.<br><br>During these past few months, I have felt like a number. "Please be seated." I was then called by my legal name. "Have a seat in room 2", "Chair 8", etc. This is a soggy puzzle piece that I would like to exchange for the important corner piece. When I think of everything I have been through and I honestly assess my life and the last seven months, I can say I have seen the goodness of the Lord. My steps are ordered. Even though this cancer experience felt like a soggy puzzle piece, I can still be used by the Lord to complete His plan. Without all the pieces, the puzzle is not whole. He needs me to do what He set out for me to do, and He needs you too!<br><br>My prayer for you is that however you feel about your piece of the puzzle, you realize you are a part of God's master plan. If you are living in sin (of any kind,) stop it! God's desire is for you to live right! Why? When we follow the steps He has ordered for us, we have peace and contentment. We may run across things that don't seem fair or look bleak, but when we come out the other side of it, we see God was by our side the whole time. Then we can point others to Him and see that our piece has a purpose.</span>Beki Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522221975045043614noreply@blogger.com0