tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16089303490265701892024-03-18T21:47:28.767-07:00Thankful HeartThankful Heart is Jen Kramer's devotional blog on thankfulness to reveal Christ's hope in motherhood, depression, anxiety, and chronic illness.Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.comBlogger632125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-84706180116428112892024-01-01T00:19:00.000-08:002024-01-01T00:21:21.674-08:00Gentle and Lowly<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Exodus 34:6-7a<br />"The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in faithfulness and truth; who keeps faithfulness for thousands, who forgives wrongdoing, violation of His law, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished..."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Matthew 11:29<br />"'Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'"</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfJ3beVWXpgde0GDCzINQ53dpz8ksvYWOUPTZOGCK-NA3W9I1ZOlOOfCYD0BmCirwvPJh3_FdpzK97CMpWQf34ZsaDUNwebCLTvGFI8tsXO_WaXJUt3sAmSrJUY2wJmEPiRTaMhbKMskxId29S4ysyuprsBqVS848NjvtFPaayRu5UJ-tyOevaEnDWEU/s888/gentle&lowly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="888" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfJ3beVWXpgde0GDCzINQ53dpz8ksvYWOUPTZOGCK-NA3W9I1ZOlOOfCYD0BmCirwvPJh3_FdpzK97CMpWQf34ZsaDUNwebCLTvGFI8tsXO_WaXJUt3sAmSrJUY2wJmEPiRTaMhbKMskxId29S4ysyuprsBqVS848NjvtFPaayRu5UJ-tyOevaEnDWEU/s320/gentle&lowly.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Is God angry with His children? Perhaps you've struggled with this idea, as I have. You know you're saved, you know you aren't condemned </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">to hell </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">(Romans 8:1), but you still see God as angry with you every time you sin. How could He not be? Isn't He constantly grading our performance, tracking every detail in His Book of Life?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Yet what drove God to call His children to Him in the first place? Was it our performance? Our obedience? Our moral excellence? No. God called us because of His own unconditional love. It isn't about us. It's about Him. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">God knew every sin we would commit beforehand, and </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">He </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">still chose us; it wasn't about us - it was about showing His glory. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I submit to you: the fact we aren't perfect is the very thing God uses to draw others to Himself </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">through us</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">. We don't draw people to God by being perfect; people are drawn by the knowledge that God loves us </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet;">despite</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> our imperfections - despite our sin. Contrary to our instinctual reactions, we shouldn't hide our sins and pretend we're perfect. Instead, we are to be transparent about our sin and repent of it. In this way, God has turned even our sins into a way to glorify God - to point out His compassion, grace, and mercy.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">As Paul says in Romans 6:15 this does not give us license to sin, but it does mean God <i>expected</i> us to sin. This is Plan A. God does not need a contingency plan. God must punish sin, but He has already dealt that punishment - on His only begotten Son. There is no anger left for you, His child, saved by His love, mercy, and grace. These are what is left after the sacrifice of the holy and perfect Lamb.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I think so often of my own frustration with my children when they do not obey, and think God must be so frustrated with me. Yet that very word - frustrate - means to "prevent (a plan or attempted action) from progressing, succeeding, or being fulfilled." No plan of God's can be thwarted, or frustrated (Job 42:2). </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">God is not like a human parent. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">So what is the significance of this? God's heart toward His children is not one of anger - even when we sin. He paid that price and it is finished. Now, it's time to repent, and move on - which God is here to help with! He doesn't call me to repent <i>before</i> I come to Him; He calls me to come to Him so I <i>can</i> repent! This is (a piece of) the grace and wonder of God: that every part of our salvation and sanctification (ongoing progress toward Christ-likeness) is performed by His own hand. We rely on Him every step of the way - or we face the natural consequences of attempting to do it ourselves.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: 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 0px 16px;">These natural consequences are not God's anger, they are His discipline. Discipline and anger are not the same thing. Discipline is solely meant for the good of the one being disciplined. It is meant for instruction, not punishment. Again, that punishment has already been taken. Discipline is instruction, and we are foolish not to accept it.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">If you struggle with thinking of God as angry, or struggle with understanding how He could be "gentle and humble of heart," I would highly suggest reading Dane Ortlund's book, <u>Gentle and Lowly</u>. It is a beautiful encouragement and insight into the heart of our Lord.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I thank God He is gentle and lowly. He doesn't lord my failures over me, or drive me into the ground with guilt, but rather that He grants me mercy, and then even beyond that gives me grace to be in relationship with Him - with Love Himself.</span></p></span><p></p></span><p></p>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-4818561428374105482020-02-17T23:20:00.000-08:002020-02-17T23:20:18.562-08:00Eternity Ahead<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"...so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God has struck me lately with the idea of eternity. Eternity with Christ is something I look forward to. I cannot even fathom a life without sin in a regenerated body! God fills me with awe and thankfulness at the amazing grace of this generous act of salvation. Yet, what exactly does eternity mean for us now, in each of life's moments? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you think about it, I don't know that there's any good thing here we won't be able to do in heaven... consider that a moment. Whatever gifts you want to cultivate, whatever projects you want to complete... we have an eternity to enjoy God and His gifts. But what about the people?</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think eternity focuses our perspective on what really does matter. What are we here for? We are here because God is longsuffering: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>- 2 Peter 3:9</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is one thing we won't be able to do in heaven: save the lost. By then, all of God's children will be accounted for. Please understand, I'm not claiming WE can save the lost - only God can bring a person to that point - but God does call us to witness. Our lives here are the only testimony some have of our loving Father. I quickly lose track of my witness in the day-to-day necessities of life... and I start to think more about what would make things easier here, rather than what's important in the face of eternity. Yet the reason (so far as my human eyes can see) Jesus hasn't yet returned to claim His rightful place is that He is "...patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know about you, but I'm not "gifted" in evangelism. I can't strike up a conversation with a random person I just met and bring them to Christ on the spot, then continue on my merry way (at least, it hasn't happened yet - God can do anything). This doesn't mean I'm not called to evangelism. Let me explain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many of us have put evangelism in a box: you meet a person, take them along the "Romans Road" or show them the "Bridge Illustration" and thereby share the gospel with them. There is ABSOLUTELY a place for that - but this is not the extent of evangelism. Our every moment lived out in front of people is our testimony - our evangelism to others. God placed you where you are in life to show Himself to those only you know; to minister through you as only you are positioned to. As a mother, a wife, an understanding friend, God has placed you where you are to minister His love, thereby glorifying Him. How we deal with trials, how we enjoy God's gifts, how we live... these are our testimonies of God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This does not absolve us of broaching the subject of salvation; it gives our words weight when we share. Don't expect the opportunity to always come to you; be as intentional about sharing Christ as you are about seeking Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who is the Lord putting on your heart to share His love with? Don't be afraid! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"</i><i>Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Matthew 28:19-20</span></i></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-41596525132581917282019-12-19T23:14:00.003-08:002021-03-11T21:43:29.346-08:00Moments of Clarity<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
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<span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><i>"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."</i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">You know those moments when it’s like God just opens your eyes and you can see something for what it is? If you’ve known God for any length of time, you know what I mean. Otherwise, you can just think back to when God opened your eyes for the first time to follow Him. When you realized He is all you’ll ever need or have needed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I recently realized I've lost my peace in the Lord, and have been pondering why. I simply have so much to do, so much I want to accomplish, so much desire to be more; it’s insatiable. Our culture encourages this. Yet God is not my God if I cannot simply enjoy Him. If I want something more than I want God and His plan for me, then I have let an idol take hold in my heart; of course I've lost my peace!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">God did not create me to enjoy life later, or when I have achieved my ideal. God created me to enjoy His good gifts now. I don't need to be perfect to have joy. I don't need to treat myself to escape this life; I can enjoy the treats God has provided in this life if I intentionally look for them. Looking ahead isn't bad, so long as I don't lose sight of His good gifts around me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"> </span><i>Lord Himself</i></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> is my portion (Lamentations 3:24) and He's </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">right here</span></i><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">. Dwell on that a moment. Nothing has entered my world that hasn't already passed through His loving hands. He has joy for me <i>here. </i>I don't want to miss it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">How prideful am I if I require more than what He’s already given me to be happy, to be content - to be at peace. I am thankful for moments of clarity, that in this one, God showed me my focus and hope was in the wrong place. Now, I choose this moment to enjoy the circumstances He’s given me. To marvel at the life He’s given. To enjoy Him and His perfect gifts from above.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">What good gift of His can you enjoy right now?</span></span></div>
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Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-33142273776792269812019-11-15T17:28:00.001-08:002019-11-15T17:28:32.821-08:00My Insignificance<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Job 38:25-33</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Who has cleft a channel for the flood,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>To bring rain on a land without people,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>On a desert without a man in it,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>To satisfy the waste and desolate land</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And to make the seeds of grass to sprout?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Has the rain a father?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Or who has begotten the drops of dew?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>From whose womb has come the ice?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And the frost of heaven, who has given it birth?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Water becomes hard like stone, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>nd the surface of the deep is imprisoned.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Can you lead forth a constellation in its season,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And guide the Bear with her satellites?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Do you know the ordinances of the heavens,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever stopped to consider the immensity of our Almighty God? When I really take the time to dwell on it, I stand in awe. God is SO big and SO great! <a href="https://1000-thanks.blogspot.com/2012/07/creation.html" target="_blank">Creation</a> is the easiest way I find to meditate on His immensity, artistry, creativity, and even love. It's the most tangible and evident of His works.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take one tiny piece of His creation: a tree. Every leaf it buds, every flower it blooms, every branch it grows, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">every ring in its trunk</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> is fashioned by His hand, designed specifically for that tree. Even its parts have pieces and parts - like a leaf. You start to hone in toward DNA, molecules and atoms, and then even quarks and quasars... at least millions of atoms are required to create ONE tree. Double that complexity when you introduce a new species of tree... and keep going for each of the over </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39492977" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6,000 species</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of tree in the world! We haven't even gotten to the other nearly </span><a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2016/05/many-plants-world-scientists-may-now-answer/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">400,000 species</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of plants, yet. Not to mention animals (don't get me started on the ability to THINK and everything that affects!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How much more is God doing moment-by-moment? Well, a tree isn't just a painting or a sculpture; it's a living thing with a job that both requires and affects its environment. Its dark green leaves contain chlorophyll so it can absorb the sun's energy to then take in carbon dioxide from the air and water (funneled up from its roots), which it then converts into carbohydrates and oxygen. God created every single piece of this process to work in harmony. He created every plant and animal for a purpose - even if it's sometimes just to be pretty (so far as we know). Each part affects another, creating an ecosystem... of which we also have many different kinds in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every aspect of our earth is so intricate! There are so many different types of elements, minerals, and rock. The way our earth's crust and core and tectonic plates work together is a larger-scale illustration of His work - not to mention the atmosphere and what keeps our world together. Then there's keeping it on the right path for all our seasons, etc. in our solar system - not to mention the universe! God created and MAINTAINS every atom in the entire universe! The magnitude just blows my mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In that grand scheme, I consider myself. I am nothing! And yet... God still created me for His purpose: to make me more like Him and to bring Him glory. God loves me in my insignificance (not despite it!). He made me to glorify Him! THAT is an amazing thing! I am so thankful for the fact He made me insignificant, for a multitude of reasons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not all-wise, all-powerful, all-knowing, or all-present. I wouldn't be even if I were perfect. If I had to control everything (and we didn't even go into thoughts and feelings and human interaction!), the universe would implode in a heartbeat. I don't even have true control over MY next heartbeat. To be able to put all that control into the hands of the Almighty God, the I AM, who is all-wise, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and who loves me so much He bore the ultimate suffering to make a way I could be with Him - despite all the evil I commit against Him... yes... I am thankful for my insignificance, because it means I don't have to worry. Instead, it simply reveals God's amazing power, grace, and love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How is God revealing His power, grace, and love to you today?</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-49359230974850442472019-11-08T18:05:00.001-08:002019-11-08T18:11:43.268-08:00God's Plan<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Romans 8:28-29a</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"'Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that You may be justified?'"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Job 40:8</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you, Lord, that my every circumstance has passed through Your hands. Not just the big circumstances, but the moments when the traffic light changes (or doesn't); when I slip and fall; when my children are being wonderful or whiney. In every moment, small or large, You work all things to make us more like You. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't always appreciate it; I'm not always in line with You. Help me to recognize Your purpose in those moments. Help me contemplate rather than criticize Your plan. Turn my heart toward You in humble trust; don't let me elevate myself to pride thinking I can judge You. Thank You for Your grace that suffers my prideful thinking until You turn me back to You. Thank You that You have made a way for me to even approach You in Your holiness. Thank You, Lord, for Your plan.</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-76388685331955166102019-10-30T23:07:00.001-07:002019-10-30T23:07:41.690-07:00Drawing Near<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 119:25-29, 31-32</i></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law... I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart."</i></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day to day I find myself striving. I want to be more; I want to be better. I want to watch myself ascend a ladder of continual progression, and when I see that imaginary tick mark drop, I struggle. Perhaps you can relate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The verses above really struck me with a point God has been repeating to me of late. <i>I</i> can't do it. Nothing I do will make me worth more, and none of my progress on that ladder is a result of my efforts. I've been focused on the wrong thing: myself. The way to become "better" is not to focus on myself and how <i>I </i>can be better, but to draw near to God and to meditate on Him and His living Word.</span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The verses above (and throughout Psalm 119) ask God to be the source behind everything the author asks. "Revive me," has been a plea of my own heart lately. How can I be revived? "...[A]ccording to Your Word." (Psalm 119:25) "I have told You of <i>my </i>ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:26, emphasis added.) I'm no Bible scholar, but I see "You have answered me" and I think of Job 38-42, when God answered Job, pointing him to the greatness of God and His power. In view of that greatness, God, teach me Your statutes! Each verse in Psalm 119 is such a great picture of the value of God's Word and what we should do with it. For all this worth, I cling to His Word and will follow it because <i>God</i> will enlarge my heart. Anything I do is because of Him!</span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not about being better, or more, or enough; it's about drawing near to God. He knows everything about me - all my failures, all my problems, my every thought - and still, He loves me. (Not because He sees something special in me; anything special in me is a direct result of His creation.) If I can't be comfortable with a God who knows everything about me and still loves me, it's because I'm prideful; I want to be able to do it in my own strength, which would bring glory to me instead of Him. Christ <i>died</i> to purify me so I can be in God's presence continually - so I can draw near to Him!</span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God, thank You for Your grace to grant me the power and means to cling to Your Word, thus renewing my mind and drawing near to You. Enlarge my heart as I dwell on Your Word, that I might draw near to You and glorify You as a result. Thank You that becoming better is all about drawing near to You, which results in You changing my delights and desires to follow, obey, and ultimately glorify You.</span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Philippians 1:6</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."</i></span></span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-40558916913164984892019-10-24T13:14:00.000-07:002019-10-30T22:11:42.555-07:00First Love<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Revelation 2:3-5a</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"...and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In an attempt to improve myself and get everything done, I've boiled much of life down to a task list. I've been quite thankful for my helpful task lists; I miss less. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet, while completing the nighttime prayers task on my list, God gently chided me on my plan of attack. He made me realize I've lost my "first love," as mentioned in the verse above, and thus, my reason to do tasks in the first place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"First love" in this verse, refers to Christ. My desire to complete a task has more or less replaced my desire to love (and thus serve) Christ. Life easily becomes about doing, rather than serving. Achieving, rather than loving. Myself, rather than Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How did I lose that first love? Achieving isn't inherently against Christ, so where did I go wrong? I lost my original <i>motivation</i> behind achieving. God always looks at the heart, and we are so quick to think about ourselves instead of Him. I wanted the glory of finishing a task, rather than serving Him through my achievement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is why I find thankfulness so important. When I thank God for His good gifts, it helps shift me toward thinking about Him. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even in this, I can still make it about myself, as though God exists for me. Yet a good gift glorifies the giver, granting enjoyment to the recipient (and the giver), not the other way around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">dding to my task list is not how I become a better [wife], nor does accomplishing tasks inherently make me better. Intentionally dwelling on</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> being thankful for God's gift of [my husband and his good qualities] naturally leads me toward love, which leads to my betterment and joy. I must pray for the not-so-good things, and then leave them at His feet. In choosing to dwell on what I'm thankful for in a situation, I glorify God and become more like Christ (which also glorifies God!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may have noticed the brackets. Put your own goal in the first bracket and your own applicable thankful thing in the second. When you're tempted to dwell on what's going wrong, pray. Give it to God, and then practice intentionally dwelling on any applicable thankful things within your situation. God may surprise you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm thankful for God's reminder of my first love. Life is so much sweeter when it's about Him instead of me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What have you thanked God for today?</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-14417029365222135662018-06-21T22:58:00.001-07:002019-10-24T17:00:13.518-07:00Twice a Mother<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 26:3</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because He trusts in You.” </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(American Standard Version with thee's replaced.)</i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Motherhood seems to be a journey of navigating changes. Just about the time you figure out one phase, you’re on to the next… at different times, with different personalities, that require different techniques. If you aren’t already comfortable with change — God is going to work on that. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a christian wife and mother, our first ministry is to our family; I have found it <i>so easy</i> to get caught up in the doing: change her diaper, nurse her, feed him, clean poop (whether his or hers), nurse her, pick up at least some portion of the house, change his diaper - oh, drink your water! - nurse her - wait, when am <i>I</i> going to eat? - keep things civil between the siblings, sleep when the baby… wait, how do I get them to sleep at the same time? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I get so focused on the urgency of the doing. Knowing it’s a fulfillment of my ministry to the Lord, my doing becomes the gauge on which I judge my walk with God… and I start to judge my worth by my walk, which puts my worth in constant flux based on <i>my</i> performance. Yet neither my worth, nor my relationship with God are based on <i>my</i> doing, but on the <i>unchanging</i> God, and what He has done, and is doing in my life. He always remains constant. He is the Rock to which we cling in the shifting circumstances of this crazy, beautiful, temporary life. He has poured out His grace on us through His only Son to credit us with His righteousness. And that never changes. My performance - or even how well I’m doing in my walk with God - has <i>no bearing</i> on my worth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I focus on Him - stay my mind on Him - I don’t see what <i>I</i> can or cannot do; I begin to see what <i>He</i> can do. I start to realize no matter what I do or don’t get done, His grace is greater. No matter how I mess up with my kids, His grace is greater. No matter what this world throws at us mothers - or throws at our kids - God’s grace is <i>always</i> greater.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I stay my mind on Him, my perspective begins to change. My goals become less important - and I begin to compare my goals with His goals. My goals often have way more doing than His. But really, His main goal is defined in Romans 8:28-29: to make us more like Christ, which benefits us and brings Him glory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For your sake we are being put to death all day we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Concentrating on doing brings us joy or guilt based on our performance. Concentrating on Christ and the far-reaching effects of what He has done for us brings us joy in <i>every</i> circumstance. I don’t mean you’ll be happy when grieving; I mean you’ll have the peace of knowing God is using this for the good of His children and for His glory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trust Him and what He has promised. Lean not on your own understanding. Meditate on His ways in the watches of the night. Dwell on His goodness, His mercy, His love so great that He’s willing to do the hard things. Then make it real to yourself by purposefully being thankful for it. <i>“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I chose Isaiah 26:3, because I think it describes the idea most succinctly. But there's a similar verse in Psalm 1:2-3:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love this passage as a reminder. God and His Word is the root which can grow us into beautiful trees. This doesn’t mean the tree won’t need pruning. And neither is the tree expected to produce fruit out of season, but in its own time, according to the Lord’s direction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s important to note this passage is also a Psalm, and while it gives impeccable advice, it is not a promise. As a general rule, when we follow God’s Word, we do well. Yet God also teaches us through trials with the aim of perfecting us; it’s often how we learn best. This may look like failure to us… yet our inability to get everything done on our list is not the measure of our success. In fact, God uses that inability to teach us how to prioritize, to ask for help, to keep us humble and reliant on Him - and myriad other custom-tailored lessons His Holy Spirit teaches us. Each and every circumstance is not a measure of our worth, but of His grace. He always has the <a href="https://1000-thanks.blogspot.com/2012/07/victory.html" target="_blank">victory</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One other example of His victory and grace is when I mess up with my kids. When I let my temper flare and I snap at them… despite my failure, God turns it into a success. It gives me the opportunity to apologize to my kiddos, and to teach them how to deal with their own failures. To show them what I should have done, and where I should have turned. <b>God’s grace is not shown in our supposed perfection, but in our weakness. God always has the victory.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nothing has taught me this so well and clearly, as being a mother - especially twice a mother, with a little boy <i>and </i>girl! I thank and praise the Lord for this gracious gift, and pray for His help to stay my mind on Christ - and smile at the future. What trial has God used to teach you something you might not have learned any other way?</span></span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-38609243891959299632018-02-25T22:14:00.001-08:002019-10-24T16:53:35.583-07:00The Fear of the Lord<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'"</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think you’ll agree when I say motherhood is a beautiful gift of the Lord - but we don’t always <i>feel</i> that way. Motherhood as a christian demands a diligent, patient, and joyful self-sacrifice day in and day out. When the hundredth question has passed their lips for the third time, while you’re trying to remember: how much flour did I just put in? - and also just remembered you forgot to turn the timer on for something else, and then you hear a crash in the other room from another child… it can get pretty difficult to focus on the hope and grace of an eternal God rather than the circumstances of the present.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then there are the things <i>we</i> want to do and accomplish. The gifts we want to use, but don’t really have time for. Or the goals and dreams we want to work toward, but end up working toward others’ goals instead. We often mention the rewards of motherhood: the snuggles and smiles, belly laughs and eureka moments, and the times when God has brought about understanding of a key spiritual concept (which we often want at least a little credit for). Yet, in the face of the things <i>I</i> want, and the goals <i>I</i> have, I often struggle with those rewards being enough. Yes, that little hug brings a smile to my face, but what I REALLY want is… fill in the blank. My focus shifts, and I lose my joy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But that’s the beauty of God’s grace. He knows exactly where we are, and exactly what we need - whether or not that matches up with what <i>we</i> think. He loves us too much to let us have our own way, if it isn’t best. To be completely honest, had it been entirely up to me, I would not have chosen motherhood. Kids never have been my thing. But God doesn’t call the equipped… He equips the called. He has called me to be a mother… and not just for my husband, or my children. He has also called me to be a mother for <i>me</i>. Much as I may not want to admit it sometimes, I <i>need</i> motherhood.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God has been working on me a lot in this - especially in the past couple of weeks. In fact, He’s torn my building from its foundations, shaken it around a bit to get out some of the rotten boards, and then held it midair with me still in it while He’s ripped out and repoured some of my foundations. I might be just to the point where He’s set me back down and begun replacing the missing boards on the new foundation. It’s not the first time He’s done this, and it won’t be the last; I’m sure some of you can relate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Sooo… I’m fighting depression and anxiety. Do you know of another Scripture about parenthood/kids being a blessing? I think I don’t believe I’m a good mother, and that I can get better. I’m scared I’m going to screw up my kids. I get overwhelmed by all the things the kids need - mostly for school. I feel like I’m the only driving force behind James getting any work done. And it’s another thing on my plate. I’m a little confused because I think I have the time, but emotionally it’s hard. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Husband</b>: Don’t forget that it doesn’t all rely on you. All you can do is your best and that’s not enough on its own. Trust that God is the one working in the lives of our kids and that He will accomplish His purpose in them. God doesn’t need you to be a great mother. He wants you to trust and obey Him. He will be the one to work in the kids’ lives. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: How do I deal with not wanting to be a mother?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Husband</b>: Focus on wanting to honor God and bring Him glory through your life. You are serving Him when you are caring for the needs of the kids. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: I’ve been having a hard time with that. I’m being really selfish. Right now I just want to do what I want to do. I <i>know</i> God’s way is better, but I don’t <i>see</i> it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Husband</b>: Then you need to ask God to help you repent. Ask Him to help you see how you are idolizing your desires over worshipping him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: I know I’m idolizing myself - I’m not seeing why He’s better. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Husband</b>: Then go back to the end of the book of Job. That’s a good reminder that he is God and you are not. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: But that only holds fear, not joy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Husband</b>: You need some fear right now. If you don’t see why God is better than you you won’t be able to enjoy him. You can’t have joy without humility.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you can see, God used my husband to throw out a number of nuggets, but that last one really hit me. Even in <i>those</i> moments, I understood. I needed to fear God - not the kind that feared punishment, but the kind that recognized His awesome power and might, so I could <i>“Humble [myself] under the mighty hand of God… casting all my anxiety on Him, because He cares for [me].” 1 Peter 5:6-7</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I did - I opened the book of Job and started reading from chapter 38 through 41. It was a great blessing! It’s not like everything was peaches and cream after that, but it really helped ground me and my emotions. Part of me really wants to quote you the whole passage, because it took reading the entire thing to really drive home how great God is during those moments. However, for the sake of time, I’ll give you a couple highlights that seemed to convey the core of the ideas I needed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Job 40:8-14</i> ~ God is speaking and says, <i>“Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified? Or do you have an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like His? Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity, and clothe yourself with honor and majesty. Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud, and make him low. Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him, and tread down the wicked where they stand. Hide them in the dust together; bind them in the hidden place. Then I will also confess to you, that your own right hand can save you.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Job 41:10-11</i> ~ God just finished describing the might of Leviathan and says, <i>“No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him; who then is he that can stand before Me? Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So… when I’m struggling with not wanting motherhood because I’m focused on what I’d rather be doing - whether it be using talents or getting rest - my focus needs to shift to recognize how big and great God is. When I bring my focus to bear on the fact that, “the earth is the Lord’s and all it contains…” (Psalm 24:1a), I’m reminded that He’s given me everything I have - including those talents I’m wanting to use. And that rest I can’t seem to get? Does God not have sovereign control over my circumstances? Does He not know best and cause <i>“all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”</i>?<i> Romans 8:28</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The fear of the Lord is to focus on Him and all that He is, and to then realize who we are. We have <i>nothing</i> to offer Him, but He has made us His children. Praise God and obey His calling, and He will see to the rest.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A small side note: once I was able to shift my focus to humility, thankfulness, and praise, God showed me something else. He wouldn’t give me talents I couldn’t use in His calling of me to be a mother. So instead of focusing on how much I wanted to use my gifts the way I understood - <i>outside</i> my calling, I need to continue to spend my time considering how I can put my gifts to use <i>within</i> my calling. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I leave you with this: motherhood is humbling, and we need to be humbled. Remember that while God called us to this, He doesn’t expect us to do the whole job - He’s working, too. In fact, He’s the driving force enabling our work. He calls us to trust and obey Him - He’ll take care of the rest. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The snuggles and hugs, and ability to watch them grow <i>are</i> rewarding - but so are the trials for those who choose to follow God, because once God has brought you to the other side, you’ll be stronger, wiser, and more like Christ.</span></span></div>
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Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-73837701442543346172017-11-02T22:55:00.000-07:002017-11-02T22:55:34.641-07:00Motherhood<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If there is anything that has taught me to rely on His divine power, it's motherhood. I'm not saying other things didn't teach me, but motherhood does throw quite a bit at a woman. Motherhood persists... children's needs often won't wait for a mother's own. While we can sometimes allow a way to take a break, vomit won't clean itself. Cuts won't bandage themselves. Panic attacks over a stuffy nose because he or she has been crying over "the worst birthday ever" because he or she was disciplined for using too much toilet paper and clogging the toilet when he or she <i>knows</i> how much to use... need a steadying rock through the storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Understanding the grace it takes to rear a child engenders a whole new respect for our loving Father and the amount of patience and grace He extends to us. Motherhood is a demanding job, and God knows </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">exactly</span> </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">how hard it is.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Trying to help a child change their focus through the whining, the know-it-all pride, the drama, and the outright fear when all they can focus on is what they don't have, is wearing. The interesting thing seems to be, after I work through it with my child, I find myself warring precisely the same battle... and by that time doing just about as poorly as they did. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here I am, after everyone else is asleep, writing a thankful thing. Not because you need it, not because I have a goal I need to keep, but because it is one of the few ways I can keep my focus on the truth of Christ, without wandering off. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">God grants us everything we need to live a godly life through the true knowledge of Him. Whatever it takes to keep your focus on "the true knowledge of Him" - it's worth it. That's when true change happens, and when Christ can begin to work through you. Whether by prayer, reading the Bible, writing, or color journaling, whatever you have to do to get your focus back on Christ is your lifeline. So often I don't want to use it - but I am rendered useless (and usually crying) without it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is the truth I need to dwell on tonight? God has granted us <i>everything </i>we need to follow Him. The grace I am to extend to my children has <i>already been given to me.</i> I'm not perfect, and He doesn't expect me to be. Otherwise, He wouldn't have gone through the suffering on the cross. My mistakes are the perfect example to my children of why we need Christ! This doesn't grant me license to not try to live a godly life - especially since He's granted us everything we need to live it - though it is a reason why it's so important to ask our children's forgiveness. In so doing, I model asking forgiveness of God as His child, and relying upon His grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I need His grace. Every moment. Even when things are going "right." Motherhood has a tendency to throw that need in my face... in a good way, even if I don't always take it as such, which is why I'm thankful for it. It isn't my job to make my children more like Christ... that's God's job. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My job is to point my children to Christ, ask their forgiveness when I mess up, and be a witness of His love, grace, and mercy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">He </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">never</span></i></span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">runs out of patience with me. His tactics may change according to my attitude, but His love, grace, and patience are applied consistently throughout.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> He is always working all things to make us more like Christ, and motherhood is no exception!</span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-12640373811122580692017-10-15T00:18:00.001-07:002017-10-15T00:20:17.647-07:00A "Perfect" Day<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun than to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This last day, my husband and I celebrated our twelfth anniversary. We did several of our favorite things: ate breakfast at our favorite breakfast place; listened to our audiobook while watching the waves and (I) knitted; window shopped along the Embarcadero in Morro Bay; ate dinner at our favorite restaurant in San Luis; stayed at our favorite hotel and soaked in the mineral hot tub; watched a movie; and ate my favorite dessert (brought from that favorite restaurant). I can't help but feel so thankful for all of this, and so blessed by God's grace. To have the time, childcare, and financial provision to make this happen is no small feat, and to top it off, I've barely felt any pain today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cannot describe how wonderful and satisfying it feels to enjoy all these things knowing it is at the behest of my Creator, who owes me nothing. Much as I have admittedly been stressing out lately in the trenches of daily life, it almost feels too good to be true to have had this "perfect" day. Yet here His gift stands. I appreciate these things all the more because of my recent trials... which makes me thankful for not only for the "perfect" day, but for the trials, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The verse above puts a more eternal perspective on things for me. This recent "eating, drinking, and being merry" can serve as a great reminder of God's grace during the coming toils... and it can also serve as a reminder that the good things of this earth pale in comparison to what it will be like with our Heavenly Father after His return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until then, we have an even greater joy than in the eating and drinking and making merry in a "perfect" day. Psalm 16:11: "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Even a "perfect" day is <i>enhanced</i> by the joy of the Lord!</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-40430500964411574552017-03-16T21:00:00.001-07:002017-03-16T21:00:59.057-07:00Sovereignty and Free Will<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a parent, would you rather your child followed your every whim, or was free to make their own choices? True love wants them to make their own choices… and this is God’s desire for His children. I will never be able to fully reconcile the two inherent truths of our free will and His sovereignty, but God has shown me an inkling in the following perspective.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We as human beings cannot control everything. It’s a basic fact of life and one of the main reasons many of us struggle with anxiety. In many cases, “life” throws us many circumstances that play a huge role in charting our course. Now consider… if God is truly sovereign, then He has control over all things, including those circumstances. One thing that must be understood before we move on is that “<i>…God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.</i>” (James 1:13b) God may allow circumstances caused by sin and evil intent, but He Himself hasn’t a shadow of evil in Him. (“<i>…God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.</i>” 1 John 1:5b The context being darkness is sin.) So, if He is sovereign <i>and </i>good, then why does He allow circumstances caused by evil?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enter the beautiful truth of Romans 8:28-29: “<i>And we know that God causes all thing to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren[.]</i>”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Paul is giving us a rare peek behind the curtain of God’s will, here - and not just any peek, but a look at what lays the foundation for <i>all</i> of God’s will! According to this passage, God’s purpose is that His children would be “conformed to the image of His Son,” or, in other words, that we would think and act like His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is part of the Triune God, and as such, lived the example of how we should act and think like Him. (Just like we want our children to be like us!) So if the beginning of that quoted passage is true, then God is using His sovereignty (His power over everything) to work <i>everything</i> to teach us to be more like Christ (please note the distinction to being like Christ rather than being like God; they had very different roles). Even our trials. Even our joys. And make no mistake - Job 42:2 says, “<i>I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.</i>”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just as we don’t control every little thing our child does (and even less as they get older), God does not control us (unless, of course, we engage in the joy of offering ourselves to be used by Him), but rather lets us make our own choices. This is how we learn and grow. And just like our children often make wrong choices, so do God’s children (us). While we may regret a poor choice, God, in His sovereignty, uses it to make us more like Christ! We as parents can sometimes do this, but God, per Romans 8:28, uses <i>all things</i> toward this end. This is another piece of the joy of following Christ: even our failures don’t make us less, but instead God, in His grace, uses them to teach us. God does not want to <i>force</i> us into the image of His Son, He wants <i>us</i> to <i>choose</i> to be like His Son. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I said before, this doesn’t fully explain how free will and God’s sovereignty coexist, but it satisfies me enough that I can look at Job 40:2 and 40:8 and bow humbly before His will. God addresses Job in both verses:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“<i>‘Will the faultfinder [that would be me, too] contend with the Almighty? Let Him who reproves God answer it.’</i>”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“<i>‘Will you [again… me!] really annul My judgment? Will You condemn Me that you may be justified?’</i>”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who am I to reprove God and question His judgment? Did I create the earth and its workings? Did I create man and know his very thoughts? Do I really want to serve a God I can fully understand? Would He <i>be</i> God if I could fully understand Him?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am insignificant and yet, God, in His amazing grace, chooses to work all things for the good of His children (of whom I am one!), and for His glory! These two goals <i>never</i> part. Our good <i>gives</i> Him glory! This isn’t to make it all about us - it’s all about Him! - but to show you the value God has given you as His child. <i>In this</i> lies our worth - not in what we can do for Him. This granted value never changes. It is not raised or lowered by anything you do, and God Himself does not raise or lower it. God loves you with a love so pure, it brought Him to death on a cross. God is so pure, that He rose again, freeing us from the penalty of our sin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise God for His sovereignty! And praise God for granting us free will!</span></span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-77124479460054404592017-03-08T13:29:00.000-08:002017-03-08T13:37:43.980-08:00Better Than I Deserve<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One question has been at the forefront of my mind lately: what gives saints (and by saints, I mean followers of Christ) joy through physical suffering? I have seen saints with such perseverance in Christ that joy pervades their being in a powerful and brazen witness to those around them. Yet I have feel as though I have barely persevered in this fight against chronic pain, and also keenly feel my own general lack of joy through it. So I keep returning to God with that question. What am I missing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My last post (<a href="http://1000-thanks.blogspot.com/2017/03/gods-gift.html" target="_blank">God's Gift</a>) was a partial answer to this question, and today's post may make more sense if you've read it first. God revealed this second crucial piece to me today: I deserve eternal death. I deserve worse than anything this <i>life</i> can throw at me (which, it actually can't do apart from my Father allowing it for our good and His glory). This pain is <i>better</i> than I deserve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've known this before, but He had to remind me, and once I did, such joy flooded me! This life is better than eternal death, and when I do finally die, I get to enjoy eternal life with Christ! Pain itself is the opposite of enjoyable, but it is better than I deserve, <i>and </i>it has no real power, but instead serves God as He works all things together for our good and His glory. According to God's grace, Christ has redeemed me, and what I deserve no longer matters, except to remind me of my joy in Him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In that lies the victory, the power, and the JOY of the God I serve. I fervently pray for that joy to fill me so intensely that those around me can't miss it! May Jesus Christ be praised!</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-10875540344888405962017-03-01T23:21:00.000-08:002017-03-01T23:21:29.945-08:00God's Gift<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chronic pain has been God's learning tool of choice for me, lately. I don't claim it's my favorite tool, but I am learning (again) to be thankful for it as He uses it to teach me. I have struggled lately with the concept of God's protection - not only in my situation, but in regard to those suffering persecution to the point of torture, slavery, and death. (I like to dwell on the light subjects...)</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God may choose to protect his saints' physical safety, but God <i>promises</i> to protect our souls. While it's comforting to know He'll protect my soul, I sometimes find it a difficult pill to swallow that He won't always protect my body. It is during these times that I must remember His goodness and His purpose: to make us more like Christ, and to bring Him glory. There are moments when I'm all too happy to face affliction for His glory and my benefit... but what about those times when I <i>just don't want to hurt anymore</i>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love something my husband said, paraphrased: "Our hope in Christ isn't a perspective that diminishes our present affliction, but that recognizes how much greater is the prize of eternity with Christ. Our present affliction pales <i>in comparison</i>." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's like the parable Christ tells in Matthew 13:44: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I want to be so excited about the treasure God has given me that my present afflictions pale in comparison. My focus has fallen from that treasure, and consequently, so has my joy. Thank God for His grace, to continue His work in me and remind me of who He is and what He has done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I highly suggest reading 1 Peter 1 and dwelling on each concept he states. There's a lot there! God chose us - not because of who we are, but who He is. His grace to us is rife throughout. He set us apart, sacrificed His Son to take our penalty, raised Him again to conquer death for us, and gave us an eternal inheritance we had no claim upon. I might add He also gave His Holy Spirit to enable us to conquer our spiritual battles on earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God is good! I am not forgotten, but rather He is walking these trenches with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stumble over this "need" to <i>do </i>something, to prove my worth to myself and to Him. But it isn't about what I can do, it is about what He has done, and the work He is doing in me now. The victory is His, not mine, and when I try to snatch that away, everything falls apart. Of course the path grows difficult when my focus draws inward: <i>I have no power</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're like me, you may want to dwell on that for a minute, because it takes a bit to sink into my brain. Then when it does, I'm disgruntled, because I mistake my powerlessness for worthlessness, which <i>isn't true.</i> God didn't choose me because of what I could do for Him. Realistically, there is <i>nothing </i>I can do that the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient Creator of the Universe can't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn't it amazing, then, that while He doesn't need me, He still chooses to use me? How privileged are we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"[F]ix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" and remember the joy of His gift! Purposefully meditate on it and let it permeate your thoughts and actions. Then watch your affliction begin to pale in comparison!</span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-47517592667833300312017-01-29T01:39:00.000-08:002017-06-02T12:01:38.180-07:00Sufficient Grace<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all go through difficult times. In fact, the Bible makes no bones about the fact we will suffer. But the amazing thing? God not only <i>uses</i> that suffering to perfect us, but also gives us His grace and power - sufficient for each moment - to live, and to live for Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a lot going on right now. We all know the place, whatever it may look like for you. Excluding my hobbies and other goals, I'm struggling with an unknown chronic pain, am a homeschooling mom of two children (five and two) who works two days a week, and am in escrow on my old home while renovating my new one. (It sounds to me like so much less all summed up!) Yet in the midst of those moments of pain in the night, moments of frustration learning to teach, moments of indecision and realizing what won't be done in time, moments of exhaustion through it all, God is with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I may not know the specific reason for any given trial, but I can rest in Romans 8:28-29, James 1:2-4, and 2 Corinthians 12:9.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"And we know that God causes all things to work for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren..."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God is working all things for my good and His glory, perfecting me among my trials to be more like Him, and He is right there with me among them - in my weakness. Whether my weakness is the physical pain, the emotional frustration, the mental anxiety, or exhaustion as a whole, God will rise to the "challenge" when I rely on Him. When I shift my focus to realize I can't do it - and don't want to do without Him even if I could - I see the whole world differently. It isn't about what I can or can't do, it's about what God <i>is doing</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God doesn't send the evil in this world, but He isn't powerless about it, either. My physical pain is a result of sin, but God is using it to teach me how to be weak. I don't do that very well. It seems to be my personal 2 Corinthians 12:7 "thorn in the flesh... to keep me from exalting myself." Rather, as I boast about what God is doing in my weakness, then He gets the glory, and I learn to be more like Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is it easy? No. Does remembering the above make it easier to deal with? Yes. Our suffering is not in vain, friend! Remind yourself of God's promises and granted power - be thankful for them. Rely on Him in humble prayer and He will keep you. Live in His keeping and rejoice!</span></div>
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Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-45059141794936479242016-12-08T22:54:00.001-08:002016-12-10T00:01:49.747-08:00Almost There<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love that feeling of anticipation when you're approaching the climax and you can feel the excitement build. I've been creating a Bible Study on thankfulness and it's in its final stages of completion! One more little step and I can upload it for self-publishing - quite possibly in time for Christmas! This study has been on my heart and mind for awhile now, and I'm excited to see how God will use it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful to be "almost there." It's so easy to let projects fall by the wayside, but I've felt His gentle prodding to make sure I finish this one. That alone feels special. I have no idea what He'll do with it - and it <i>will</i> be Him, because my marketing skills are nil - but it has been more important to me to be faithful to complete it. By His grace... I almost have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The journey to complete it has also done a work in me. I haven't been writing my thankful things down lately, as I attend to other things, and I've noticed my walk with God grow harder to deal with. However, every time I've sat down and taken the time to work on the study, God has blessed me. The idea behind the study is to show the participant how to apply thankfulness to all aspects of her walk with God. This has served as such a blessed reminder to me of the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're interested, the study is called <i>How Do I "Give Thanks in Everything?" </i>based off 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 with emphasis on verse 18: "...in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." As evidenced by my blog, I have found the practice of thankfulness to fuel my joy in the Lord. It has helped in so many areas in which I've faltered. Paul's call to action in these verses isn't idle, and this journey of learning to apply it to my life has transformed me; I want to share it with all of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">See my <a href="http://1000-thanks.blogspot.com/p/devotional-journals.html" target="_blank">Journals</a> page to find out more - I hope to have it available to purchase in time for Christmas! May God reveal His grace to you through it as much as He has me!</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-656066460251142682016-11-21T23:35:00.002-08:002016-11-23T21:59:28.322-08:00This, Too, Shall Pass<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>James 4:14b</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"...You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life hurts. Whether you struggle with physical or emotional pain (or both), there will be times in life when it seems unbearable. In the midst of tonight's rise in my chronic pain, I found comfort in the knowledge God has taught my heart that is so commonly phrased, "This, too, shall pass." My hope doesn't stop there, though. Not only will this moment of pain pass, but there will be moments of joy, as well. Those will pass, too, until we breathe our last breath and join Christ in heaven. <i>Then </i>we will have joy <i>everlasting</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As James says, this life is but a vapor. It seems to go on and on at times, but in the face of eternity, it's a bare blip on the heartbeat monitor. My hope rests in Christ who paid the ultimate price for me to be with Him in eternity where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I long for that day, but as Paul notes in Philippians 1:22: "But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose." (See more relevant text h</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ere:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/philippians/passage/?q=philippians+1:21-24" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Philippians 1:21-24</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">). God uses my time on this earth for the good of His children (me included) and for His glory. (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/romans/passage/?q=romans+8:28-29" target="_blank">Romans 8:28-29</a>) He is, as James says, teaching me endurance, which is perfecting me </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(</span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/james/passage/?q=james+1:2-4" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">James 1:2-4</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful this pain shall pass, and that there will be a day when I shall be with Him in eternity. I praise Him for the work He has done to make that possible, and I relinquish my pride that says I deserve any better than what His only perfect Son endured. I thank Him that I don't have to pay that price, and for His Holy Spirit through whom He grants me strength to face the pain. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!</span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-44712448882418572372016-08-11T23:26:00.001-07:002019-03-14T21:44:26.509-07:00Encouragement<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Thessalonians 5:11</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My coworkers have a tradition: the staff goes out to lunch in celebration of one of its members' birthdays, during which each person says a couple things about the birthday person they appreciate. Today was one such lunch for <i>my</i> birthday. Often, the appreciation can be a bit generic, with a few meaningful things here and there. Today, God blessed me with an outpouring of heartfelt appreciation from every one of my coworkers in areas I regard with high value: character, growth in the Lord, growth in being a mother, trustworthiness, and even being on top of things. I nearly cried.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You see, lately I have acutely seen and felt the areas in my life in which I'm <i>not </i>doing so well... many of which overlap the very areas in which my coworkers complimented me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a lot on my plate right now with: new software implementation and designing new offices at work; supporting my family in readying our current house to sell; co-orchestrating the purchase of a new house along with my in-laws (and our subsequent move); learning about a homeschool co-op and working with a charter to help fund school for my oldest son who starts this fall; trying to rehash my work schedule to coordinate with my son's school schedule; and working with doctors and trying new treatments for my severe chronic pain as I care for our two kiddos as a part-time stay-at-home-mom (to highlight a few). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Motherhood, though a definite calling in my life, is not my talent, and I have watched with dismay, my selfishness in dealing with my kids - especially in the midst of these challenges. I'm easily irritable, put them off, and sometimes outright ignore them. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The problem is that I'm not looking at the bigger picture. Do I fall short of perfect on a daily basis? Certainly! Yet there</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">is</span> </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">growth on my part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I honestly dislike it when others (who don't really know me) see what I'm facing and say, "You're doing a great job!" because they have no idea with just the superficial picture before them... but I think I finally understand why they do it. Motherhood is a difficult thing on its own, because it is ever-present amidst all the beautiful catastrophe of life. It never truly ends, and we <i>all </i>need encouragement through it. Even if you aren't a mother, encouragement is <i>huge</i>. We simply need it, because we lose sight of the bigger picture. We get bogged down in day-to-day battles, and don't look back to realize that - through God's amazing grace and sovereign power - we're slowly but surely winning the war.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the verses just before the one quoted above: "But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a great reminder of the bigger picture of eternity and where our hope truly lies: Christ! These days and their suffering will pass, but Christ and our unmerited inheritance in and with Him, will not. I thank God for the encouragement He sent me today to help shift my focus toward Him, and I hope this serves as an encouraging reminder for you!</span><br />
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Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-52171134548525469112016-07-01T15:09:00.000-07:002016-07-01T15:09:47.053-07:00Staying Longer<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Philippians 2:8b, 12-13 (with omissions)</i></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"...He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ... So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fridays I get to bring my kiddos to meet with another mom or two with their kids in the park for a couple hours. It's a great time for me and the kiddos, because it affords a measure of rest. I get to fellowship with the moms, and the kids get to play. Some interaction is required, naturally, but it's easier than being alone with them at home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a mom who deals with chronic pain, works part-time, is in the middle of a house remodel, and cares for two kids four and under, I can see my time with the kids as something to be weathered. I can look toward a day with them and just wonder how I'm going to manage. I can grow anxious about it, or about the length of time things will be this way, and how long I can take it. Yet time and again, the Lord has proven to me His faithfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It isn't about how much I can handle; Christ is the one weaving the world, and He weaves with an eye for the good of His children (some of the strings in the tapestry) and for His glory (the picture it paints). Part of what Christ died for, was to be the atoning sacrifice that we might be granted access to the perfect Holy Spirit. He is the source of our strength. It's about our relationship with Him, learning to recognize our <a href="http://1000-thanks.blogspot.com/2016/06/weakness.html" target="_blank">Weakness</a> and turn to Him in faith to see His work accomplished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am too weak to deal with all these circumstances, and I have a tendency to make matters worse with my thoughts. Yet Christ is working all things (including these circumstances) for my good, and I can rest in His grace and have faith in His plan. Rest and faith may not seem like strength, but God's strength takes care of the rest from there in order for me to obey His good an perfect will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, not only did I have a reprieve in getting to be with the other moms and kids, but we stayed an extra two hours with them, prolonging the fellowship and break time. God is so good! Some moms might cringe at the consequences of staying longer... but for us, this meant a nap for the 1-year-old right after, and the 4-year-old playing by himself for awhile. Mommy can take her meds, write on the computer while they kick in (yes, that's this part!), then do a chore or two. Daddy might even be home by then!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I praise and thank God for staying longer today. His provision often amazes me even though it "shouldn't." Even on days when His plan includes more obstacles, He always provides the strength (again, often through rest in His grace and faith in His goodness and plan) to deal with them. Praise the Lord!</span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-7565373315345545982016-06-29T22:20:00.000-07:002016-06-30T12:21:06.944-07:00Hope in Christ<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Peter 1:13</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This world is full of things we hope for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband and I are currently preparing our house to sell - it's a lot of work, and the list continues to grow. We were hoping to be done by the end of May... and then the end of June... and now we're just trusting the Lord for His timing as to when it will be completed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've struggled with chronic pain since I was about nine years old. I've been through so many ups and downs with hoping doctors could determine what the issue was in order to treat it. I've tried so many supplements and ideas, it's exhausting. With each new idea, it's tempting to raise my hopes of healing, only to be disappointed and depressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet the things of this world are not where our hope truly lies. When the Bible talks about hope, it doesn't use or describe it as something we <i>desire</i> will happen. It's something we <i>know</i> and <i>expect</i> will happen. Hope is a result of faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I "...fix [my] hope completely on the grace to be brought to [me] at the revelation of Jesus Christ" it totally changes my perspective. My hope is not in getting the house sold by the end of this month - the house selling has little consequence in the face of the day Christ declares me His righteous daughter. My hope is not in healing my chronic pain - God's sovereign grace is over my chronic pain, and He uses it as a tool to mold me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) and to grow my relationship with Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I may wish for things here on earth, but I'm so thankful to hope in Christ. I don't have to be depressed by disappointed hope in timelines or suffering. All is in God's hands. His unchanging grace, love, and purpose for me are a rock to stand on, a refuge of protection, and a stronghold in our spiritual battle. Wishes and desires come and go, but God is the I AM. </span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-8294649355610726092016-06-28T15:15:00.001-07:002016-06-28T17:00:51.833-07:00Our Daughter's Demeanor<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Corinthians 10:13</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The newest addition to our family, our easy-going daughter, has been nicknamed Sunshine. She is full of smiles, amazingly patient, and all around good-natured. When most kids would be bored to tears, she is patiently waiting and watching. That is her favorite thing to do: people watch. She is thoroughly entertained by this activity and it is adorable to watch. One little smile from Sunshine can turn the low tide blues of my moment to a sunny high tide on the beach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />When I meditate on the verse above, it is useful to remember that no sin I have committed is new. While my situation may be unique, all men (which, of course, means women, too) have encountered the temptation within the situation. I am not alone in my sin - others <i>do </i>understand those temptations. Yet God - our gracious, sovereign, loving Father - will <i>always </i>provide the way of escape. He will always give us a way to choose not to sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes, I think He uses our daughter's demeanor as my way of escape. Her sudden broad smile, her random dance break-outs, her excited sounds, and infectious giggles can all remind me of God's grace in my current situation. Just remembering His grace helps me to choose more wisely - to take a step back and look at the situation through His eyes (if I do so choose). I struggle with the temptation - and often fail - but that sweet little demeanor often stops my thought process just long enough to recognize the choice of what I do next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thank God for this reminder of His grace in our daughter's demeanor.</span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-74655007311669519802016-06-10T16:10:00.000-07:002019-11-25T22:30:33.589-08:00Weakness<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>2 Corinthians 12:9-10</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAP39cnGUMp7hu0Ndcq0ySzJGvvkJ52rTU7axLN_jxLh7AzirV1VSQmyQgsaTPDUG7z5VwHCWsgdVh8GqycVzPbwvJUblsJ2nWOR780QJ0G9ttgvfyAqISnXjDpBjkq5O-WVVHZVo7b8/s1600/plant-in-crack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="888" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAP39cnGUMp7hu0Ndcq0ySzJGvvkJ52rTU7axLN_jxLh7AzirV1VSQmyQgsaTPDUG7z5VwHCWsgdVh8GqycVzPbwvJUblsJ2nWOR780QJ0G9ttgvfyAqISnXjDpBjkq5O-WVVHZVo7b8/s320/plant-in-crack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let me be candid. I cringe at the thought of showing weakness in the face of my pain (the irony isn't lost on me). It is not in my nature to show the severity of my trials, and I work to "shield" those around me from it. While there is some good intent (adding to the world's list of complaints is a disservice to my companions), I think the true issue lies with my pride. God has been convicting me lately about not showing my struggles to those around me. Complaint may not serve my companions, but neither can Christ's light shine through me as a living testimony if I hide the very trials through which He works in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see people respond to the salutation, "How are you?" with an enthusiastic, "Fantastic!" I understand the importance of living in the knowledge of the reality of Christ's amazing work for us, and I congratulate those people on their ability to testify of that... but I have (almost) never been able to truthfully say, "I'm living the dream!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isaiah 26:3 says, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You." When I keep my mind focused on God, His goodness and sovereignty, and thankfulness for it, I am content and in perfect peace. That peace is only marred by my chronic pain and various trials if I let it. There are, in fact, times when that peace can be <i>enhanced</i> by this physical pain God permitted within my body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But how can people see the good the Lord does in my life through my weakness if I don't <i>show</i> my weakness? How can they understand the depth of His work, or the height of the mountain, so-to-speak, if they do not see the valley? There is also the flip side: how is God served when I'm not dealing well with the pain? In those moments I lose patience with my child who is complaining about something far less difficult than my own suffering? In those moments when the peace of Christ escapes me because my mind is centered on myself rather than Him?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The truth is, I've reached my limit. My reservoir is empty, my strength spent. God has already taught me I should be relying upon <i>His</i> strength before I get to this point - and I think I am! - only to discover my level of reliance was elementary. I've reached this point numerous times, but it always amazes me how little I actually tap into His Holy Spirit. When my strength is completely spent, only then do I rely fully on Him. Only when I am too weak to put up the puny fight I have in me compared to His omnipotent power, will He supersede my boundaries and pour forth His power, His testimony, His grace through my frail form. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a recognition of the power of the Holy Spirit in me to do what God has commanded of me: love. I am too tired to help others, but the Holy Spirit has new life. I have more love for myself than others, but the Holy Spirit can overcome my selfishness and sacrifice for others. I have <i>nothing</i> left to give, but the Holy Spirit has <i>everything</i> to give. It is only in the knowledge that I have nothing to offer that I can recognize the omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit to work through me <i>anyway</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I struggle to understand what it looks like to live in humble weakness - not just before God, but before others - I am thankful for my weakness. I thank God for His sufficient grace to work His good will through my weakness, and His wisdom to teach me through it. What area are you weak in right now? How can your weakness testify of God's strength?</span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-32621270135393116802016-01-15T22:31:00.001-08:002016-01-15T22:31:40.688-08:00Writing<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Ephesians 3:20-21</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I enjoy writing, and I believe I communicate better in writing than in any other form. During this process of writing thankful things, God has transformed my heart. I am, of course, still an unfinished mold in the Potter's hands, but this stage in my walk with Him has been pivotal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thinking of something I'm thankful for is helpful, but writing about why takes more thought - even a bit of research - and generates more opportunity to dwell on Christ and what He has done for me. I can't tell you the number of times that taking the time to write about a thankful thing has shifted my focus to prevent depression, nor how many times it has lifted me out of it when I have fallen. It is such a blessing to be able to use my gift not only to draw nearer to Him, but also to help others draw nearer to Him. It is the utmost honor and privilege granted by His overwhelming grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To God be the glory! </span>Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-75223298105022316832015-12-04T14:42:00.000-08:002015-12-04T14:42:54.047-08:00No Option<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Proverbs 3:5-6</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Trust the Lord your God with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are times in life when we realize there is no other option but to keep going. No one else can swoop in and rescue you and you're just going to have to pick yourself up and keep moving - whether for your sake, the sake of your children, family, or friends. It may sound a bit strange to be thankful for this, but perhaps it makes sense to those who have been there. You see, once in that place of no option, even depression isn't an option, because you can't keep going if you're depressed. The only option is to keep moving, keep relying on the strength God always provides, keep praying, keep taking the next step. Determination - and sometimes desperation - drive you onward with your head focused only straight ahead on what must be done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I may not know how things will turn out, or even the step after the one I'm taking right now, but God does, and I can take comfort from that. I have to focus on what is true, and what the Lord requires of me. It reminds me of Proverbs 4:25-27: "Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I must keep my gaze straight ahead on God's truth and trust Him with <i>all</i> my heart, as it says in Proverbs 3:5, and "In all your ways acknowledge Him" (Proverbs 3:6a). I must keep the knowledge of His presence and His work at the fore of my mind to remember my humble place, and be thankful. Lately, I have felt "tested" or even "attacked" in most areas of my life. It is difficult to keep my eyes fixed ahead on the "prize of the upward call" (Philippians 3:14), but if I turn my head toward complaint, I turn it away from Christ - away from hope - and suddenly I seem more important than those around me. I become bigger than even God's will... and while that fool's gold is tempting, if I look closer I can see that fake glitter is anxiety born of a desire to impose my own will upon the world - as if I were as powerful and knowing and wise as God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I am thankful for those times when I recognize there is no other option. It is during these times that Christ truly grips me and moves me forward. It is, amazingly, His grace - His unmerited favor - to me to allow these trials in my life. It isn't easy by any means, but most things of worth aren't. Thank you, Lord, for your strength to continue, and please keep flicking my head forward when I glance away, so I focus on You. You are my true joy.</span></div>
Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608930349026570189.post-47202599022755295842015-11-25T15:12:00.001-08:002015-11-25T16:44:28.207-08:00Ant Spray<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Philippians 2:14-16a</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grumbling (or complaint), and the attitude behind it, can be hard not to catch. My newly four-year-old has been struggling with a whiney attitude this past year, and I have noticed my own attitude grow increasingly difficult to control. I'll give you an example. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This morning found me washing the dishes, strainer, and counters in the wake of an ant invasion. Little black bodies littered my counters amid plates, cups, and silverware, telltale signs of where my husband had sprayed. Where were my thoughts? Making a mental list of all the things to complain about:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">chronic back pain only dulled by the meds made worse by standing to wash the dishes;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">whiney and disobedient son;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">recognition of handling said whining poorly;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">no dishwasher to take care of these dishes;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ant spray all over my kitchen;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ant spray too near my breast pump accessories (rewash - can't let that near the baby);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">having to drain and refill the dishwater to try to keep the ant spray from building up on the washed dishes;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">not pumping enough breast milk lately... </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...you get the idea. I was not exercising God's joy. Later in the day, I realized my error of looking for what to complain about rather than be thankful for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Begin internal dialogue:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Okay, what should I be thankful for?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"</i></span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">What annoyed you the most today?"</i><br />
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<i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">"The most? Well doing the dishes was the hardest part of my day because it took so long and my back hurting from it, and the ant spray precipitated that. So let's say ant spray."</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Then start there. How can you be thankful for this particular instance of ant spray?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Well, the Lord uses trials to make me more like Christ, so I can be thankful that He used the ant spray to continue working on that front."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Mhmm. W<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">ould you rather still have ants swarming your kitchen?"</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Yeah, no. No ants is a good thing."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Right, what else?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Well... He used this instance to point out that I haven't been pursuing thankfulness as much as I thought I was lately."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>"Yeah, that's a good one!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I smiled. I really was thankful for ant spray - this particular instance - and I hadn't even had to work that hard for it. I just had to turn my full intentions toward it, and let the truths I knew about God do the rest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I praise the Lord and thank Him for ant spray. Especially that He used it to show me where my heart and thoughts have been lately. It is even His grace that He opened my eyes to this before I sank into depression, which is inevitably where the road of complaint leads. Now I have renewed my resolve (and intentionality) to pursue a thankful heart. Praise the Lord for His gentle reminders.</span><br />
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Jen Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150264264420453766noreply@blogger.com0