tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36142046282019750432024-02-08T00:47:58.575-05:00The King FamilyThe King Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162319256161830031noreply@blogger.comBlogger720125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-13669167093523415942014-07-29T09:30:00.000-04:002014-07-29T09:30:06.426-04:00Show me how to love like you have loved me<br />
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Heal my heart and make it clean</div>
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Open up my eyes to the things unseen</div>
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Show me how to love like you have loved me</div>
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Break my heart for what breaks yours</div>
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Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause</div>
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As I walk from earth into eternity</div>
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I love this song by Hillsong/Selah I have just been meditating on this bridge of the song for the last few days. August and September to me always signal a new beginning. School starts, Bible studies begin again, programs and the business of life just start to pick up. I know this year may be the busiest yet. I am already beginning to say "yes" to a lot of things. And yet I'm asking myself, "how do I do instead what God wants me to do?"</div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>Heal my heart and make it clean</i></b></div>
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I have had a few past grudges or hurts that I have finally let go of and I've chosen to try and love people whether they love me back. It's not easy or fun but I have found that praying for the people that hurt you helps. It's hard to be mad at someone who you are praying for daily. Holding on to hurts and conflict will keep you from what God truly has for you to do. </div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>Open up my eyes to the things unseen</i></b></div>
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Some of my amazing friends have begun to find opportunities right here in our community that make me aware of needs that are right in my back yard. Meeting these needs and ministering to others suddenly seems a lot more important than girl night dinners or Advocare meetings. I hope to say yes to a few less things so I can have more time to be able to jump in and help when needs arise around me.</div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>Show me how to love like you have loved me</i></b></div>
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I want to love my family better. I want to love my friends better. But I also want to love people who can't do anything for me in return. I hope God gives me divine appointments this year to hear the Holy spirit prompt me to just show love when someone needs it most. </div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>Break my heart for what breaks yours</i></b></div>
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I worry that we as a society have become more and more comfortable with what is okay in the world and less concerned with what God instructed. I'm pointing the finger at myself. I think there are things in my life that I feel like are okay because "everyone does it" even though I know when I read the Bible that's it's not. I think I have sin patterns that probably break God's heart. I pray that I try to please Him this year and not man. </div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause </i></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>As I walk from earth into eternity</i></b></div>
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I may live 40 more days or 40 more years. We never know when God will call us home so I pray that I make every day count. I just want to live with the sole purpose of making God known and giving Him glory. I lose sight of that in my daily life when just the business of everyday things take over but I pray that each day I seek Him first. </div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">What changes do you need to make this "new year" to know God better or to love Him more?</b></div>
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Therefore, I urge you,<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> to the pattern of this world,<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span> Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span>—his good, pleasing<span value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span> and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-79243289100704770912014-04-09T05:30:00.000-04:002014-04-09T05:30:00.485-04:00intentions<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Our lives aren’t a reflection of our intentions, they are a collection of our choices</span>Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-27094258437897764042014-04-08T23:54:00.000-04:002014-04-08T23:54:00.203-04:00words<br />
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Our words carry power.<br />
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There are days that I live in this and get this right. I breathe life into my kids. I build up my husband. I am life-giving to my friends.<br />
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Then there are times that I take this truth for granted. I run down my kids. I forget how fragile their hearts are. I throw darts at Jody with my words. I spread evil with the words I say to my friends.<br />
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Our words matter. Our words have weight. Our words create or our words tear down.<br />
I see it in the face of my kids. I see it as I talk to my husband. I feel it as I am on the receiving end of potent words. I usually notice this truth after it is too late.<br />
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Why are we so careless with our words?<br />
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We often forget their power…we take for granted their influence…we overlook their potential.<br />
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We encounter so many words and we say so many words we don’t realize how critical they can be in the lives and hearts of those we love most.<br />
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<strong>Words carry life:</strong><br />
<em>I love you</em><br />
<em>I’m proud of you</em><br />
<em>I believe in you</em><br />
<em>I choose you</em><br />
<em>I forgive you</em><br />
<em>I’m sorry</em><br />
<em>You are special</em><br />
<em>You look beautiful</em><br />
<em>Thank you</em><br />
<em>I see potential in you</em><br />
<em>I appreciate you</em><br />
<em>You have what it takes</em><br />
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Maybe it is a friend; maybe it’s your spouse; maybe it’s your kids; maybe a parent or a sibling…<br />
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Who needs you to breath life into their soul today with your words?</h4>
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“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21</blockquote>
It won’t take much time, and it won’t cost you any money. But the moment you’ll create will be priceless.<br />
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Will you breath life into those you love the most?</h4>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-4895039169299941672014-03-17T10:58:00.001-04:002014-03-17T10:58:40.469-04:00More of YOU and Less of me<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I love this song. I truly believe I now grasp the words of this song, More of You and Less of me."</span><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-738184152047958928" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; position: relative; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; width: 586px; word-spacing: 0px;">
I have not always understood but I do now.<br />I have come to believe that being a wife and mother is one of the most humbling jobs on the planet.<br />Its not just because I clean toilets and floors, or because I have scrubbed puke, snot, pee, and poop off of beds, floors, couches, walls, ceilings, car floors/seats, and anything else you can imagine. I have also been covered in all of those things.<br />Yes, I am in charge of the household nastiness & I am to somehow make it all look pretty:)<br /><br />Its mainly because I have realized in this job that I am not very patient, nice, loving, or selfless. This is a painful reality but not one I will accept. I need more of Jesus and less of Amy every single day!<br /><br />My attitude is not always pleasant, I thank God that he didnt give us the abililty to read minds.<br />Shamefully, my family of 4 has seen the worst in me.<br />However, I know that Gods strength is made perfect in my weakness! I cling to that and depend on that with all my breath in my lowest points.<br />My prayer today and every day forever is that I will not be who I am today, tomorrow. I am a work in progress...no more no less.<br />In order for me to find pure joy in an every day, I need to cling to Jesus. I need His patience and love.<br />When I look to Him for strength, I am truly able to LOVE LOVE what I do and LOVE my family in a way that brings honor to God and puts a smile on their face. No complaining, no short tempers...life is beautiful.<div style="clear: both;">
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-7630499561022662862014-02-07T00:30:00.000-05:002014-02-07T00:30:01.651-05:00What really fixes us?<br />
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<strong>We can never expect an external thing to fix internal problems.</strong> </div>
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So often when people are having marriage problems, they have this belief that if we just had this or if we just accomplished that or if we just got this or just moved there, then the problems in our relationship will go away or be solved. Our marriage will be better when:</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.7;">I get that promotion, </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">We get out of debt, </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">We move to a bigger house, </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">I finish my degree, </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">We make more money, </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">We move closer to “home”, </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">We have a baby, etc...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.7;">Houses are great. Promotions are awesome. Degrees are outstanding. Babies are amazing. B</span></span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.7; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ut the above </b><span style="color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">solutions</span></span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.7; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> won't fix it. They will not </b><span style="color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.7;">fix the distance you feel. They won't restore trust when trust has been broken. They won’t help you be more honest with each other. They won’t bring you closer spiritually. They won’t help you forgive. They won’t cause him to pursue you more. </span></span><br />
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We can’t count on something external, whatever that something is, to fix an internal problem.</div>
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There are two things that will fix what is wrong with your marriage: <span style="line-height: 1.7;">Pursuing God & </span><span style="line-height: 1.7;">Pursuing your spouse</span></div>
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When you do those two things, you allow what is broken in your heart, in your relationship, in your soul to begin to find healing. You begin to move closer to God and closer to your spouse and in that process you begin to address the issues that you have rather than counting on a new house or a job promotion to cover those issues up.</div>
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The King Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162319256161830031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-33018212476545919802014-02-06T11:24:00.001-05:002014-02-06T11:24:41.704-05:00 Ryman Project<div style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">
Below is a video of a family and their journey with newborn baby. My prayer is it will encourage you to never give-up when dreams are shattered. </div>
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<strong>Philippians 4:13 <i>For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.</i></strong></div>
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The King Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162319256161830031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-16679823232211419802014-01-27T15:05:00.003-05:002014-01-27T15:05:35.607-05:00My Lighthouse<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">
MY LIGHTHOUSE</div>
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<em style="line-height: inherit;">In my wrestling and in my doubts,</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">In my failures You won’t walk out.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">Your great love will lead me through.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">You are my peace in the troubled sea.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">You are my peace in the troubled sea.</em></div>
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<em style="line-height: inherit;">In the silence, You won’t let go,</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">In my questions, Your truth will hold .</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">Your great love will lead me through.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">You are my peace in the troubled sea.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">You are my peace in the troubled sea.</em></div>
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<em style="line-height: inherit;">My Lighthouse, my Lighthouse!</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">Shining in the darkness, I will follow You.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">My Lighthouse, my Lighthouse!</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">I will trust the promise, You will carry me safe to shore. </em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">Safe to shore.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">Safe to shore.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">Safe to shore.</em></div>
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<em style="line-height: inherit;">I won’t fear what tomorrow brings.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">With each morning I’ll rise and sing.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">My God’s love will lead me through.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">You are the peace in my troubled sea.</em><br style="line-height: inherit;" /><em style="line-height: inherit;">You are the peace in my troubled sea.</em></div>
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The King Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162319256161830031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-16518637120635270432014-01-02T09:39:00.002-05:002014-01-02T09:39:37.065-05:00Happy New Year<div style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">
Happy New Year from my family to yours!!!</div>
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I have a list of resolutions that I seem to start every year off with. They are the exact same every year........ Lose 30 pounds (maybe this will be my year), get more organized (I feel like that's hopeless), and read the Bible through this year. However, this year is different. I'm starting off this year differently without this list and I am going to focus on one thing.</div>
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Be Intentional</div>
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I want to be intentional. I want to use every chance to share my faith and story. I want to love my family deeply. I want to go out of my way to make people feel loved , important and included. I want to pray with and for total strangers. I want to live my life to the fullest and leave a mark on others life.</div>
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So here is my "list":</div>
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I'm going to try harder with my family to make them feel important and loved.</div>
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I'm going to call, text and write my friends more often to let them know how much they mean to me. </div>
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I'm going to go out of my way to do things for people.</div>
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I'm going to go out of my way to invite people to things and to make people feel welcome. </div>
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I'm going to share Jesus and my story every chance I get.</div>
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I'm not just going to read my Bible - I'm going to study it, savor it, memorize it. </div>
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and </div>
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I'm hoping I can be intentional with all that I do. </div>
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Praying 2014 is the best year yet for you!</div>
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- Amy</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-84904144459013522552013-12-31T17:08:00.001-05:002013-12-31T17:08:43.598-05:002013<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Well - it's the end of another year. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And I feel the need for an </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">End of Year Post.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So here are some of my TOPS for 2013:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b style="line-height: 1.4; text-decoration: underline;">My Top Moments of the Year: (and this is hard to narrow down - I've had so many wonderful moments in 2013</b><span style="line-height: 23px;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- memories with our Bethany babies, adoptive families, birth families, and the staff at Bethany</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- trips with Jody and celebration of 20 years of marriage and realizing again that he is my best friend and the love of my life</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- positive outcome after a very scary health issue with Jody</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- vacations</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- being involved with Aroma church</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- every single moment with my 2 precious daughters. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">No way I could pick top moments with them - every day has been amazing experiencing life with them both. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><u><b style="line-height: 1.4;">My Top Songs for the Year</b></u></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">I love music - it inspires me and speaks to me. I like to listen to pop music and even a little country some but I mostly listen to worship music. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- Oceans by Hillsong </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- One thing Remains by Kristian Stanfill </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- Great Are You Lord by All Sons and Daughters </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- Brokenness Aside by All Sons and Daughters </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- Waiting Here For You by Christy Nockels</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><u><b style="line-height: 1.4;">Top Things I've learned This Year:</b></u></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- Age is just a number. Be thankful for every year, every month, every breath you are given. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- Life is Short. This life is just a VAPOR. I've been to many funerals in the last year. Make your life count. Every moment. Don't wait for things to happen to experience joy. We only get one chance. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- All that matters to me is my faith. All that matters to me is knowing Jesus and making His name known. As Rick Warren said - "I fear more the disapproval of God than I do the disapproval of men". I have a passion for people to know Him. I want to be faithful. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- No one has a perfect life. Everyone has things behind closed doors that you don't know about. Be kind. Be encouraging. Speak words of blessings. Be understanding. Forgive easily. Don't hold grudges. Life is too short for that. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">- The What Ifs of Worry are a disease that can eat you alive. I have struggled with so much anxiety in the last few years worrying about things. God is in Control. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">2013 was a year full of so many wonderful things. I'm praying I will be more intentional with 2014 and treasure each moment! </span>Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-51380851428889990622013-08-31T01:31:00.000-04:002013-08-31T01:31:00.514-04:00it's ok to receive<br />
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Here’s a confession: I ain’t great at receiving. No, ma’am. This southern girl knows how to nod her head, keep her needs hidden, and just carry on with what has to be done.</div>
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<em>Maybe you can relate?</em></div>
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I’m learning to open my hands and heart more as the years go by so God and others can pour into my life. But it’s still a lesson God has to bring me back to again and again. It’s simply hard for me to believe that it’s okay to receive.</div>
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Yet a story from Scripture recently changed my perspective. Peter and John are going to the temple. Along the way they pass a beggar. The man wants money but what he really needs is healing. Peter says these words to him: “<span class="text Acts-3-6" id="en-NIV-27003">Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” {Acts 3:6}. Then in the name of Jesus Peter lifts this man to his feet to begin a new life full of all he has never known before–running, skipping, jumping, dangling his toes into water on a hot summer day.</span></div>
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The words that grip me in this story come from Peter: <em>“What I have I give you.”</em></div>
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It’s simple, friends, <em>we can’t give what we don’t have.</em></div>
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Yet at one point, Peter resisted receiving too. At the last supper when Jesus tried to wash his feet, Peter protested.</div>
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<span class="text John-13-6" id="en-NIV-26637">Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”</span></div>
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<span class="text John-13-7" id="en-NIV-26638">Jesus replied, <span class="woj">“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="text John-13-8" id="en-NIV-26639">“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”</span></div>
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<span class="text John-13-8">Jesus answered, <span class="woj">“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”</span></span></div>
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John 13:6-8</div>
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Peter relents even if he doesn’t yet understand. I wonder if perhaps that day as he looked at the crippled feet of a beggar the scene from the Last Supper flashed through his mind again. I wonder if he finally connected the dots–that receiving from Jesus is what gives us the power to give to others.</div>
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When we’re weary, we often think what we need to do is just try harder. But maybe the opposite is true. Maybe what we need most is to sit down and let Jesus wash our feet. That feels uncomfortable. Like Peter, we squirm in false humility and declare that this isn’t the way things are supposed to be. But Jesus still gently insists. Because he knows that it’s not really about us–it’s about the greater work of his Kingdom. He’s showing us how to love by loving us.</div>
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What do you need to receive from Jesus today?</div>
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Let him wash your feet, your wounds, the weariness from your heart.</div>
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I’ll keep learning to do the same right along with you.</div>
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Let’s believe.</div>
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Let’s receive.</div>
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Let’s give our Savior the joy of loving on us.</div>
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And then pass it on.</div>
Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-73224668442760098382013-08-24T01:30:00.000-04:002013-08-24T01:30:00.451-04:00home<br />
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<span class="text Eccl-3-11" id="en-NIV-17371">“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” — King Solomon</span></div>
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“You git what you git and you don’t throw a fit.” — Southern Saying</div>
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As I drive my thoughts zip down a two lane road in my mind as well. In one lane, I’m thanking God for answered prayers and desires granted. In the other lane, I’m feeling frustrated that my day-to-day reality doesn’t always line up with the magnificent vision I have in mind. I long to see a sign from God that one day those two lanes will merge. When will that finally happen?</div>
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It seems God has an answer for me. Um, <em>heaven.</em></div>
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Oh, right. I should have seen that one coming.</div>
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We live in a paradox, friends. We are not Home yet. And on the journey to where we’re going, what we can dream up and what actually unfolds in our lives are never going to align perfectly. <em>Never</em>. I’m not saying that to be a stinker. I’m saying it to save us from one of the biggest dream killers: <em>unrealistic expectations</em>.</div>
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If we demand that our perfect vision be fulfilled then we will never be satisfied.</div>
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Not with our dreams.</div>
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Not with our marriage.</div>
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Not with our family.</div>
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Not with our church.</div>
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Not with ourselves.</div>
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<em>“So why bother dreaming?”</em> you might ask. It’s simply this: “Where there is no vision the people perish” {Proverbs 29:18 KJV}. In other words, our dreams and desires pull us toward life. They draw us toward Home. They keep us looking to God for his best in our lives. That’s a good and beautiful thing.</div>
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<em>It’s only when we turn our desires into demands that we get into trouble.</em></div>
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What can we do to avoid that? First, we can accept that we will live between those two lanes all of our lives here on earth: the ideal and the real, the eternal and the everyday. Then we intentionally thank God for what’s <em>less than perfect</em>. And at the same time we keep pressing toward the vision he’s placed in our hearts.</div>
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We live in the paradox.</div>
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<em>We release our expectations and yet we continue to look to the future with expectation.</em></div>
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One mile, one day, one dream at a time.</div>
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Yes, all the way Home.</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-37690740279739841822013-08-23T10:02:00.001-04:002013-08-23T10:02:18.201-04:0010 Ways to be a Happier Mom<br />
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<strong>10<br />Ways to be a Happier Mom</strong></h1>
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<strong>1. Life is not an emergency. </strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/one-thousand-gifts-book/" style="color: #ffc300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Life’s a gift. </a><br />Just. Slow. Down. </div>
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<strong>2. Now is not a forever grace but amazing grace. </strong></div>
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<strong>3. Sometimes the <em>slowest</em> way is the <em>fastest</em> way to joy. </strong></div>
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Make time today, even a moment, to read Scripture and memorize it. </div>
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<strong>4. Laughter is the cheapest, holiest medicine. </strong></div>
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Preschoolers laugh 300 times a day. Aim for double that. Tickle someone, (yourself!), if necessary.</div>
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<strong>5. Motherhood is a hallowed place because children aren’t commonplace. </strong></div>
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<strong>6. Homemaking is about making a <em>home</em>, not about making <em>perfection</em>. </strong></div>
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<strong>7. A pail with a pinhole loses as much as the pail pushed right over. </strong></div>
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A minute dawdled here, a minute scrolling here — they can add up to your life. Write down your intentions for the day and prayerfully live the intentions and spend your life well by paying attention to the moments — which pays thanks to God.</div>
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/?p=4900" style="color: #ffc300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A whole life can be lost in minutes wasted, small moments missed.</a></div>
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<strong>8. Believe it: I have all I need for today. </strong></div>
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The needs of our day are great but our God is greater and we call Him Providence because we believe: <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/?p=4855" style="color: #ffc300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">He is the One who always provides</a>. </div>
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<strong>9. Slow. Children at play. </strong></div>
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<strong>10. Love is patient. </strong></div>
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Parenting’s this gentle way of bending over in humility to help the scraped child up because we intimately know it takes a lifetime to learn how to walk with Him.</div>
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/?p=1694" style="color: #ffc300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Patience.</a> Love always begins with patience and patience is a willingness to suffer.</div>
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<strong>Bonus: </strong></div>
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<strong>The art of really celebrating life isn’t about getting it right — but about receiving<em>Grace</em>. </strong></div>
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The sinners and the sick, the broken, the discouraged, the wounded and burdened — <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2011/03/the-art-of-celebrating-your-messy-life-anyways.html" style="color: #ffc300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">we are the ones who get to celebrate grace!</a></div>
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Regardless of the mess of your life, if Christ is Lord of your life, than we are the celebrants out dancing in a wild rain of grace — because when it’s all done and finished, all is well and<strong><em>Christ already said it was finished</em></strong>.</div>
Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-42135119587996974832013-08-17T01:23:00.000-04:002013-08-17T01:23:00.595-04:00Dreaming<br />
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Sometimes dreaming can be exhausting. I get frustrated. I feel like every door is locked tight and every road is a dead end.</div>
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Recently it seemed like everything I tried to do failed. One door after another slammed shut on me and I found myself wondering if I was even pursuing the right dream. I was ready to throw in the towel, but then I heard a gentle whisper…</div>
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Quit chasing after the dream. Chase after Me.</div>
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Yes, I have been guilty of pursuing the dream instead of the Dream Giver. I have been guilty of following my heart instead of searching for His.</div>
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The Lord longs to be gracious to you…<br />How blessed are all those who long for Him…<br />He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry…<br />He will answer you…<br />Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it.”<br />(from Isaiah 30)</div>
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It’s not that God doesn’t want us to pursue our dreams; He does! After all, He is the one who put the dream in our hearts. He wants to dream with us, to be the one whispering in our ear and holding our hand as we walk the path He’s set before us.</div>
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In the Disney movie Tangled Rapunzel spent her whole life dreaming of leaving her tower and traveling to the city to see the floating lanterns. Eugene made that dream come true for her. But after her dream was fulfilled there was still something more she longed for. When Eugene quietly whispers to her “you were my new dream” she responds “and you were mine”. It was that moment when she realized what her heart truly longed for. It wasn’t the fulfillment of the dream, but someone to share the journey with.</div>
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Yes, I’m a dreamer. But He is my dream. Knowing Him, loving Him, serving Him, following Him; that is the dream I must pursue. And as I draw closer to Him, as my heart longs for more of Him, I hear Him quietly whisper in my ear, “turn here”, “call her”, “ask him”, “knock on this door”. And step by step, hand in hand, He leads me closer to my heart’s desire.</div>
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There are times on our journey we need to stop and make sure we’re chasing the Dream Giver and not the dream. Is He all that your heart longs for? Are you close enough to hear Him whispering direction in your ear? Are you captivated by Him? Turn your eyes to the Dream Giver, delight in Him. Then He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-85584367367524489512013-08-10T01:18:00.000-04:002013-08-10T01:18:00.832-04:00the perfect way<br />
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“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” — Jill Churchill</div>
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I’ll never forget the first time I read the quote above. I felt like I was falling short in every area of my life.</div>
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As a wife.</div>
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As a friend.</div>
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As a Christian.</div>
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As a mom.</div>
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As a sister.</div>
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I had convinced myself there was <em>a right way</em> to fulfill each of those roles. And no matter how hard I tried, I can't make that “right way” work in my season of my life. Have you ever felt that way?</div>
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When I read the quote above, it gave me permission to adapt. To figure things out. To let good enough really be good enough sometimes.</div>
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<em><span style="color: #4c4d4f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">There’s no way to be a perfect wife, friend, Christian, mom, sister but there are a million ways to be a good one.</span></span></em></div>
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It opened the door to solutions. I have hired a friend to help with household tasks. I sent my friends emails when we couldn’t get together face-to-face. I prayed on my commute to work.</div>
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And I survived.</div>
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So did my relationships.</div>
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My family was not eaten by dust bunnies. No lightning bolts struck when I occasionally missed church because I needed sleep more than a sermon.</div>
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I’m not an advocate of being crazy-busy as a lifestyle. The pace I sometimes go isn't sustainable long-term. But sometimes God calls us to seasons of busyness, difficulties, or challenges and we’ve got to figure out a new normal for that time. If we refuse to adjust and instead firmly cling to our “right way” for everything then we’re asking for burnout and broken relationships.</div>
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How do you need to fill in that blank today?</div>
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<em>There’s no way to be a perfect ________ but there are a million ways to be a good one.</em></div>
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Give yourself permission to figure out those million ways {or at least a dozen}. It’s okay. You’re not failing–you’re being wise.</div>
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This season will pass for you. And then you’ll need new solutions for the next one. All of our lives we’ll be changing, adapting, growing, speeding up, slowing down. That simply means we’re human and we’re alive. Want to stay the same in every season? Consider becoming a rock. Otherwise embrace the freedom that’s yours and relax a bit. As I look back on crazy times in my life, my only regret is that I didn’t extend even <em>more</em> grace to myself.</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-27137289449082291602013-08-03T01:33:00.000-04:002013-08-03T01:33:00.086-04:00you will be ok<img src="webkit-fake-url://8AB815C7-1744-4717-AA02-9159FD45DD95/image.tiff" /><br />
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<em style="color: #4c4d4f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">You’re going to be okay.</em><br />
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<em>You don’t have to try harder.</em></div>
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<em>You’re loved more than you know.</em></div>
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That’s true no matter what anyone else says or does.</div>
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It’s true even if you don’t feel it.</div>
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It’s true today.</div>
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It will stay that way tomorrow.</div>
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And forever too.</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-56830290742033700882013-07-27T01:02:00.000-04:002013-07-27T01:02:00.670-04:00a new week<br />
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A new week unfolds in front of us like the blank page of a journal. What will be written on it?</div>
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I’m not sure. And I imagine you aren’t either. None of us can know what tomorrow holds. But there are some words that we can always count on to be there every day of our lives.</div>
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<em>Love</em> – You are loved. Just as you are. More than you know. Nothing that happens this week can change that reality. You’re not going to be alone this week. Not for one day. Not for one moment. Not for even one second.</div>
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<em>Grace</em> – You are accepted. Your sins have been forgiven and you are free. Your mistakes and failures can’t separate you from God anymore. You can take risks, make bold decisions, embrace new opportunities because you can’t lose what matters most.</div>
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<em>Hope</em> – You have a future that’s good. This week is part of a larger plan, a greater purpose. Even when you don’t understand what he’s doing, God is working on your behalf. He sees the bigger picture of your life and he’s committed to making it beautiful.</div>
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Let’s make the most of this week, my friend.</div>
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It’s another page of our story.</div>
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And we can trust the One holding the pen.</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-22549878720567555492013-07-20T01:59:00.000-04:002013-07-20T01:59:00.262-04:00you<img src="webkit-fake-url://E996496C-092C-4BB6-9260-A848E2E4D8BA/image.tiff" /><br />
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Dear You,</div>
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It’s so easy to look at the woman across the room, across the sanctuary, across the world wide web and think: “I should be more like her.” We compare clothes, talents, how many friends we have on Facebook. We crave validation and surely if we can be like the people we admire then we will have it.</div>
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Yet God doesn’t compare you to anyone else. Not that friend whose house looks like a spread in a magazine. Not the woman in your church who knows how to make everyone laugh at just the right moment. Not even the leader who seems to have a direct line to Jesus while you feel like you’re dialing the wrong number half the time. Not to any of those—or any other woman who has ever been or ever will be. When you gave your life to Jesus you became a “new creation.” Listen closely: it doesn’t say “a new human being.” <i>A new creation.</i></div>
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In other words, God made you into something the world has never seen before and never will again. Women struggle so much with comparison.</div>
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You are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, a custom design, a work of art.</div>
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And when there is only one of something, it’s impossible to compare it.</div>
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That means since there’s only one of you, you can’t be compared either. When God looks at you, he sees his handiwork and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That’s it. The only standard he ever asked you to meet is the one Jesus met in your place. So you are free from being compared.</div>
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What do you do instead? Be the you he has created, called, and redeemed you to be. Develop your strengths. Discover your gifts. Do whatever you can to serve those around you with what you have. Display his glory by living fully alive, by beautifully reflecting the part of his image he has crafted into you.</div>
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Give yourself permission to stop comparing. And instead start celebrating who you are and the God who made you that way. Then let your heart feel his response…</div>
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His incomparable joy.</div>
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Someone Who Loves You</div>
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{Genesis 1:31, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Philippians 2:1-11}</div>
Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-39779132399539478502013-07-13T01:28:00.000-04:002013-07-13T01:28:00.505-04:00comfort<img src="webkit-fake-url://7F77F05C-8F0C-4D4E-A779-11DA87CACF5B/image.tiff" /><br />
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<em>No matter what happens today…</em></div>
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<em>God is the same as yesterday,</em></div>
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<em>same as tomorrow.</em></div>
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<em>that is such a comforting thought for me.!!</em></div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-29001379804351308882013-07-06T01:37:00.000-04:002013-07-06T01:37:00.126-04:00what really matters<br />
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The sink overflows with dishes. Pans and bowls lay scattered across the kitchen. The counters are covered with smudges of who-knows-what. Years ago, this would have sent me into an immediate cleaning frenzy. But tonight I turn off the light and let it go. I step into the warm summer night for a walk with my husband. I read a book on the couch for a few moments. I talk to someone I love on the phone.</div>
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<em>When I come back the next morning, the mess is still there. But those moments that really mattered would have been gone forever.</em></div>
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And it turns out my worst fears weren’t realized: the health department failed to show up, a reporter neglected to take photos through my windows, and no one came for my children. </div>
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As I stared at my slightly scandalous kitchen and thought about this I noticed a saying on a sign in the house, <em>“Live fully. Love deeply. Laugh loudly.” </em>And I nodded in agreement at those words.</div>
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I’m a person who wants order. I need simplicity and organization. I believe in keeping the dust bunnies somewhat at bay. But there are times when it matters more to make dinner for your friend who just had a baby and leave the dishes on the counter, actually answer the phone, and watch the fireflies come out with someone you love.</div>
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Because the dishes will stay but life goes by and you can never get a single day back.</div>
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So every once in awhile, just turn off the light and ignore what needs to be done. And when you come back to it, let it remind you of what’s most important in your life.</div>
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Because sometimes a mess just means we’re busy with what really matters.</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-10553876326724993712013-07-03T01:04:00.000-04:002013-07-03T01:04:00.382-04:00Difference in forgiving and trusting<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I read this blog today...why is it so hard to forgive and trust again is a question I ask myself often. </i></span></div>
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Most of us want to forgive. We don’t want to hold a grudge. We don’t want to be bitter. We don’t want our lives to be consumed with resentment.<br />
But more than wanting to forgive, we don’t want to be hurt again.</div>
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There is this natural belief that if we forgive, then we are not only saying what that person did was okay, we are being vulnerable enough to allow them to hurt us again.</div>
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Resentment becomes our only defense mechanism to protect our heart. I think many of us live with resentment and bitterness not because we want to, but because we’ve confused forgiveness with trust.<br />
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Forgiveness, according to Scripture should be offered unconditionally. In fact, if there are conditions, then it isn’t forgiveness. But trust has to be earned.<br />
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If you have been hurt; betrayed; abused; cheated on; lied to then it is easy to confuse these two things.<br />
In fact, so many people that you talk to often feel like they haven’t fully forgiven because their trust hasn’t been restored.</div>
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Forgiveness is a process, but trust is a prized possession. Once your trust has been broken, it becomes even more valuable.<br />
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As someone who has broken ultimate trust in my marriage can I encourage you? Offer forgiveness freely; offer trust slowly.</div>
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Healing doesn’t come all at once. When you’ve been hurt, lied to or betrayed your heart is in a vulnerable state.<br />
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What you want most is what you used to have.</div>
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What you long for is life before the porn; before the sexting; before the lie; before the cheating; before the Facebook relationship.<br />
What you are tempted to do is to equate forgiveness with trust…and when you do that you short-circuit your healing and the one whose broken your trust’s restoration.</div>
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If you desire the relationship to be restored, begin to communicate things that will build your trust. Give the person who’s hurt you an opportunity to earn your trust. Don’t hold them hostage to your suspicions…communicate with them what you desire from them to earn trust. What you shouldn’t be is fearful or paranoid…rather wise and discerning.</div>
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I<br />
f you have broken trust in a relationship, it is so easy for you as well to confuse forgiveness with trust. Your feeling is “If you have really forgiven me, then we wouldn’t be having these conversations.” Ask yourself this question, “Has my spouse (friend, sister, daughter) not forgiven me, or do they not trust me?” When you confuse forgiveness with trust you begin to think that you can never do enough to be forgiven.</div>
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My guess is that it is much easier for the person you’ve hurt to forgive you than it is to trust you. They love you and want to forgive you, they are just fearful of being hurt again. Humility on your part will go a long way. Pay the price. Seek to do the little things that will earn trust.</div>
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The currency of any relationship is trust. Maybe today your relationship seems bankrupt because you’ve confused trust with forgiveness.</div>
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As we forgive, we free ourselves from bitterness. As we trust, we experience the process of restoration.<br />
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-73618708325064847562013-06-29T01:10:00.000-04:002013-06-29T01:10:01.018-04:00guilt and shame<br />
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We all have especially vulnerable places. Tender spots in our heart. Lies we’re more likely to believe. It can take a long time to even recognize them. Lately I’ve been catching glimpses of mine. Guilt and shame can get to me quickly. I make one mistake or fall short of one expectation and suddenly I decide…</div>
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<em>I’m a terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad wife/friend/daughter, etc.</em></div>
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And what do I do? I try harder, of course. Until I’m weary. And then that just proves the guilt and shame are deserved. Such nonsense. And I know it. Just like I knew Twinkies did not really count as a quality baked good. But I ate them for years anyway.</div>
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So the other night I prayed, <em>“Lord, what replaces guilt and shame?”</em></div>
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The answer that slipped into my heart, <em>“Gratitude and praise.”</em> </div>
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So here’s the process I’ve started going through when guilt and shame try to tackle me:</div>
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<em>What am I telling myself?</em></div>
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I’m bad because the dust bunnies in my house are now the size of jack rabbits.</div>
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<em>What’s the reality?</em></div>
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Yes, the house could use vacuuming. It’s been a really busy week. I’ll be able to do it next week.</div>
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<em>What’s the real truth {this is a bridge statement between guilt/shame and gratitude/praise}?</em></div>
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My worth is not based on the size of my dust bunnies. It’s based on who Jesus says I am. And the reason my house is a bit dirty is because he’s had other things for me to focus on the last few days.</div>
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<em>What do I have to be grateful for and praise God about?</em></div>
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God, thank you that I have a house to live in with my husband and daughters. I praise you because you’re my ultimate Home and you’re building me a mansion in heaven with no dust bunnies. Help me remember what matters most in light of eternity.</div>
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Now it’s your turn to try it…</div>
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<em>What’s a lie you’ve been telling yourself?</em></div>
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<em>What’s reality?</em></div>
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<em>What’s the real truth?</em></div>
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<em>What do you have to be grateful for and praise God about?</em></div>
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{Note: I’ve found that the “reality” and “truth” statements are essential. If I try to jump straight to gratitude and praise then I bury the guilt and shame rather than healing it. We’re human and we need to acknowledge that what we’re feeling and experience before we can really change our perspective.}</div>
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I know I need to go through this process when I feel the muscles in my tummy tightening up, my heart beating harder and my breath becoming shallow. We respond physically when someone lies to us–and we do the same when we’re lying to ourselves. How does your body tell you that something isn’t quite right? Learn to be aware of that and when you experience it, pause and take a deep breath. Then go through the process above. If you get distracted along the way, it’s okay. Just start again until you get all the way to the end.</div>
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Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-60649204306307295812013-06-27T10:00:00.003-04:002013-06-27T10:00:26.443-04:00Recapture joy<br />
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How much of my life have I lived absent of joy? Joy costs nothing and is always available, yet I’ve chosen at times to live without it.</div>
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There is a difference in dreaming for the future and wishing for the future. Dreaming inspires you to move forward; wishing causes you to resent where you are.</div>
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I have often spent today wishing things will be different tomorrow.</div>
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<li>I wish I had a different job.</li>
<li>I wish I could a dreamy marriage.</li>
<li>I wish I had a bigger house.</li>
<li>I wish I made more money.</li>
<li>I wish my kids would sleep through the night.</li>
<li>I wish my kids would get out of diapers.</li>
<li>I wish I get that promotion.</li>
<li>I wish my spouse was more like someone else’s spouse.</li>
<li>I wish I could sell more, accomplish more, do more.</li>
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<strong>Wishing for the next stage of life is the quickest way to lose joy in this stage of life</strong>.</div>
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If I could, I’d go back and savor the small house and the beat up cars and the sleepless nights and the blown out diapers and the small beginnings.</div>
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We can never get time back.</div>
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So often we spend more time thinking about how the next thing will bring us joy that we forfeit the joy of that moment.</div>
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Contentment is the pathway to joy.</div>
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You want to experience joy immediately…be content. When we are content with who we are and where we are in life, joy is the biproduct of contentment.</div>
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I’m asking God to help me be content these days.<strong> </strong></div>
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<strong>I don’t want to miss what’s now in favor of wishing for what’s next. </strong></div>
Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-7609018549949257542013-06-22T01:40:00.000-04:002013-06-22T01:40:01.063-04:00summer time<img src="webkit-fake-url://C17D2A18-080E-44C9-A135-EEC795E0F489/image.tiff" /><br />
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Summer speaks to us in different ways than other seasons. She says to us,<em> “Pause, savor, feel warmth on your skin.”</em> It’s easy to miss her. She’s quiet, you know. She whispers from the bright red of strawberries that kiss your lips when you taste them. She beckons from waves that stretch out along the shore like a welcoming party. She calls your name through fireflies that invite you to dance in the early dark.</div>
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She’s God’s gift to us. A reminder of fullness and grace, rest and beauty, sweetness and abundance.</div>
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Will you take a few moments to listen to her with me today? I overlook her almost every year. Then I find myself at the end of September wondering how I missed all the wonder.</div>
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Step outside or glance out your window for a moment–just a moment–and look up at the sky. Feel the sun brush your skin, see the flowers dressed up in swimsuit colors, wave hello to a newly hatched robin taking her first hop across the lawn.</div>
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Each one is a miracle, ours for the enjoying.</div>
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Like strawberries on the vine.</div>
Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-62017369046532017282013-06-21T10:20:00.004-04:002013-06-21T10:20:49.029-04:00In honor of sweet baby Olivia...today is the court date when the judge says Olivia is officially home!! So excited for the sweet family<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aF-Z1A0ujlg" width="560"></iframe>Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614204628201975043.post-9198700346854335072013-06-10T09:38:00.000-04:002013-06-10T09:38:13.270-04:00Sovereign<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've been reading about God's sovereignty recently and pondering what it means for my life.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My belief that God is sovereign doesn't take away the hard stuff or make the path easier, but it changes everything. Everything.<br /><br />I'm loving these words by Chip Ingram:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /><br />“Because God is sovereign and He loves you, nothing will ever come into your life that He does not either<i>decree</i> or <i>allow</i>. Consequently, no matter what you face in life, you can take comfort in the fact that God is sovereign.”—Chip Ingram</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I also an enjoying this song by Chris Tomlin - </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d4y5tJp6IgU" width="420"></iframe>Amy Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08176671644813070422noreply@blogger.com0