tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67280599298180828462024-03-18T21:02:44.612-07:00Esther RD's WorldThe thoughts and workings of a dietitian, fitness nut, wife and joyful friend who loves God 1st and desires to make a difference in the world while she is here!EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-90403448592166026982013-12-01T21:20:00.001-08:002013-12-01T21:20:48.389-08:00Merry Christmas from Us to You!<br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-10505864159074173702013-05-21T08:03:00.004-07:002013-05-21T08:03:59.591-07:00Funny ways to get gas!<br />This made me laugh so hard, I had to share!<br />
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Enjoy!!!<br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-71808475248108429732013-05-07T09:43:00.001-07:002013-05-07T09:43:28.575-07:00A little paper humor- to lighten the mood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love to journal and writing has always helped me gather my thoughts, process and clear my mind! It has been one of my favorite uses of paper in life. But once I started blogging, my journaling has gone down due to less time and less paper in my life.<br />
In general the whole world could use less paper; junk mail, repeat information notices, bills, packaging, containers and the list goes on and on. But this little video does make you think about the place of paper in our lives after all. <br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-75891057971258234872013-04-24T12:06:00.002-07:002013-04-24T12:07:07.695-07:00Confidence vs CourageThis week my pastor talked about renewing confidence in God and in moving forward. During his talk, he pointed out the differences between courage and confidence and it struck me.<br />
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I have often interchanged confidence with courage in my mind and hadn't really thought about the differences before.<br />
Courage is guts; mental toughness to face people, problems and challenges<br />
Confidence is feeling all will work out well; rooted in trust and growing out of experience<br />
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Courage often comes first before confidence. Confidence rises out of experience.<br />
So one starts with courage and trust in God and through experience and enduring through tough challenges, you develop character and grow confidence.<br />
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What encouragement and hope.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Romans 5:3-4 MSG</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span class="text Rom-5-3-Rom-5-5" id="en-MSG-12021"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">There’s more to
come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with
troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience
in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of
virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></b></span></span></div>
EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-21075873158025036042013-04-11T11:38:00.002-07:002013-04-11T11:38:38.858-07:00Do you ever say "Watch Me"?<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/63198714" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/63198714">Watch Me!</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/10ofthose">10ofthose.com</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
I have to say that most of the time I am saying don't watch me, watch Jesus. But perhaps I need to re-evaluate this!<br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-30878323528869822682013-03-30T06:34:00.001-07:002013-03-30T06:34:22.088-07:00Holy week Saturday; encouragement while we waitSaturday- the day or waiting and wondering if all that Jesus had said was true- we can understand the agony that His followers felt as we wait for that blessed day when He will return forever! Take comfort and hope...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>~Titus 2:11-14, ESV</strong></span></div>EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-80128040293506519062013-03-27T08:29:00.000-07:002013-03-27T08:30:05.992-07:00More Holy week thoughts<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Some people can’t believe God would create a world in which people
would suffer so much. Isn’t it more remarkable that God would create a
world in which no one would suffer more than he?</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God’s Son bore no guilt of his own; he bore ours. In his love for us,
God self-imposed the sentence of death on our behalf. One thing we must
never say about God—that he doesn’t understand what it means to be
abandoned utterly, suffer terribly, and die miserably.</span></div>
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That God did this willingly, with ancient premeditation, is all the
more remarkable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Jesus said, “I lay down my life for the sheep.... No
one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 10.15" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2010.15" target="_blank">John 10:15</a>, <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 10.18" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2010.18" target="_blank">18</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> ~ Randy Alcorn </span></div>
EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-50197404533769354282013-03-26T09:42:00.001-07:002013-03-26T09:42:53.789-07:00Holy Week Thoughts 2013This is such a great week to focus on Jesus and what He has done for each one of us. Someone pointed out to me the passage in Luke 9 about Jesus setting His face to Jerusalem to go lay down His life for all of us.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Luke 9:51-13</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span class="verse v51 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.51"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">When the days drew near for </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">him to be taken up, </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">he set his face </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">to go to Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v52 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.52"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">And </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. </span></span><span class="verse v53 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.53"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">But </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">the people did not receive him, because </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">his face was set toward Jerusalem. </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v53 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.53"><span class="content">What struck me was that Jesus set His face (determination and purpose) to go to His death to pay the penalty for mankind's rebellion with willing heart and steadfast purpose. No one forced Him to do it but He chose of His free will knowing full well what it would cost. </span></span><br />
<span class="verse v53 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.53"><span class="content">And that while He set His face, others were against Him because they didn't like the way He was going about it. His way (God's way) wasn't how they pictured it or thought it should be. The Samaritans rejected Him because He was going to Jerusalem, the religious leaders rejected His claims and truth, the Jewish people didn't understand the true purpose of Messiah so they went a long with the crowd and the Gentiles were mainly clueless about there being a God and Messiah come for us all.</span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v53 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.53"><span class="content">This made me wonder if I would have opened my heart and mind to Jesus if I had encountered Him during His time on earth? It is easy to sit back and see the full intent of Jesus from reading the scripture but I am no smarter than the people of that time and they mainly missed the point. Would I have gotten on board with Jesus and followed Him? Would you? </span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v53 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.53"><span class="content">I will keep pondering as I prepare my heart to celebrate Easter and Jesus! </span></span><span class="verse v54 selected" data-usfm="LUK.9.54"><span class="label"></span></span>EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-52252222487129270752013-03-01T09:00:00.001-08:002013-03-01T09:00:23.197-08:00THE BIBLE - Official Trailer<br />
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If you have the history Channel, you might like to check out this cool mini-series on the bible!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1hThfoBzWxw" width="480"></iframe>EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-57641372259331470802013-02-14T14:17:00.000-08:002013-02-14T14:17:00.836-08:00Valentine's Day- The real meaning?Today is the day that our culture celebrates romantic love but I think this is a small view of what Valentine's Day could really be! Check out this blog that I thought this was thought provoking post on the subject!<br />
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<a href="http://theresurgence.com/2013/02/14/the-creepy-mysterious-interesting-history-of-valentines-day">http://theresurgence.com/2013/02/14/the-creepy-mysterious-interesting-history-of-valentines-day</a><br />
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And remember:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">1 Corinthians 13:4-8</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NIV-28670"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671">It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-NIV-28672">Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.</span><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-NIV-28673"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</span></span></b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-8" id="en-NIV-28674">Love never fails.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-8" id="en-NIV-28674">Romans 5:8</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-8" id="en-NIV-28674"></span></span></b></span><span class="text Rom-5-8" id="en-NIV-28056"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us</span></b></span>.</span></div>
EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-25450449311934842772013-02-08T09:33:00.001-08:002013-02-08T09:33:34.989-08:00God's creation is awe inspiringI have been enjoying some beautiful winter warm days in Texas that has made me spend some extra time praising God for His creation.<br />
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Then today someone sent me this video and I wanted to share it with you. It really made me take a deep breath of awe for God's creativity and amazing vastness! WOW!!!!EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-64040931027794120492012-12-21T09:03:00.001-08:002012-12-21T09:03:40.108-08:00Joy to the WorldWhat a wonderful way to share the good news! Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is come!<br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-25874587303353227472012-12-19T12:01:00.000-08:002012-12-19T12:01:43.940-08:00Gift ideas for Christmas- Tavin styleJust in case you are having a hard time finding the perfect gift for that special someone!<br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-35590305320236024642012-12-17T13:41:00.001-08:002012-12-17T13:41:43.602-08:00The nativity from social mediaI enjoyed this and thought it was worth sharing with you. Enjoy!<br />
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EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-58204837367625069102012-11-26T12:25:00.001-08:002012-11-26T12:28:08.920-08:00Monday humorSo after some more serious posts lately, I thought it would be fun to share some Monday humor.<br />
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I love the movie "Princess Bride" and pretty much memorized is when I was a teen. When I saw this clip off ESPN, I just couldn't pass up sharing it with you!<br />
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Enjoy and say a line for me too!EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-67250033704842514292012-11-07T13:30:00.000-08:002012-11-07T13:30:04.441-08:00Vote & Pray for our NationYesterday was the presidential election. This one and the election of 2008 have set our nation on a course that is not very hopeful and I have found myself getting angry, frustrated, helpless and a bit depressed. Then I saw a post yesterday that made me think:<br />
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<span class="userContent">November 6th, 2012:</span><br />
<span class="userContent">Two things you can do today that will make an impact for generations to come: VOTE and PRAY.<br /> <br /> 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises that God will forgive our sin and HEAL OUR LAND if we will humble ourselves, pray and seek his face.<br /> <br /> Five Things You Can Pray (from our pastor):<br /> 1. Protect us from oppressors<br /> 2. Confuse the plans of the wicked<br /> 3. Protect from, expose, and</span><br />
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prevent fraud in the system<br /> 4. Strengthen what is right and good in our nation<br /> 5. Across our nation, in every state, grant us leaders who will do what is right<br /> Believers, let's get on our knees today, and ask God for mercy and help as we choose our leaders!</div>
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Now the election last night did not go how I hoped but God spoke to my heart that He is no less in control than He was yesterday or at the beginning of time. I can take comfort and courage in this. </div>
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Yes, <span class="userContent">God is just as in control today as He was
yesterday, He knew what would happen and each day is bringing us towards
His end and His glory. </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">SO....</span></div>
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<span class="userContent"> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>But with you there is forgiveness,</b></span></span><br /><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> so that we can, with reverence, serve you.</b></span></span><br /><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,</b></span></span><br /><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> and in his word I put my hope.</b></span></span><br /><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> Psalm 130:4-5</b></span></span></div>
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EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-55948212437857624472012-10-11T11:47:00.000-07:002012-10-11T11:47:06.473-07:00Engaging in meaningful conversationHaving a toddler who is learning more and more speech and actually wanting to engage in conversation is lots of fun! But it can be exasperating sometimes too! Sometimes I find myself wanting to share the meaningful stuff with him but I am not sure what makes sense and how much he is actually getting. Now I know he won't understand deep theological concepts yet but I find myself wanting to share ideas with him and engage him in a way that connects with him anyways.<br />
A few things I have found fun and helpful are:<br />
~ Simple coloring or drawing together<br />
~ Reading<br />
~ Prayer together in the car, at home, at bedtime and anywhere we can fit it in<br />
~ Singing and music to share concepts<br />
~ Asking questions<br />
~ Dancing<br />
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But here is a great <a href="http://michaelkelleyministries.com/2012/10/engaging-your-kids-in-discussing-their-day/">post</a> I read about how to engage with your kids and it got me to thinking. How do we engage with our children and others around us in meaningful ways? How do you start a spiritual conversation that makes sense to the other person, allows them to open up and you have a great time sharing together?<br />
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Suddenly I am more aware of how I engage or wanting to engage others. I would love to hear your ideas out there too!EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-4025552296552835862012-09-13T12:21:00.000-07:002012-09-13T12:21:26.123-07:00I thought this was a really great video that explains the basic fundamentals of our faith. What do you think?<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22http://player.vimeo.com/video/48734715?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff%22%20width=%22400%22%20height=%22300%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20webkitAllowFullScreen%20mozallowfullscreen%20allowFullScreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/48734715?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="400"></iframe></a><br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-49224113095043261872012-08-07T07:28:00.002-07:002012-08-07T07:28:54.403-07:00One Cent SolutionI thought this was such a hilarious video and a simple way to address the out of control debt here in the US! Check it out and go see them at www.onecentsolution.org<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1yU87HEaTQE" width="560"></iframe><br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-79637762470451035002012-08-02T12:56:00.000-07:002012-08-02T12:56:39.326-07:00Pray for our NationThere has been a lot of media initiative for our nation and all the political change coming with election season. Lots of voices from both sides of the issues have been talking (and talking and talking and talking) about issues, what our nation ought to do and who has the right to have a say.<br />
With all the words flying it is easy to get overwhelmed, frustrated and perhaps discouraged. I know I have been some of these emotions and more!<br />
God was whispering to my heart this morning about this and one command keeps coming ... PRAY.<br />
So I have been thinking about prayer. God asks His children to pray as a method of communication, supplication, intercession, praise and thanksgiving and so much more. But in order to reach out to Him in prayer, there has to be some sort of relationship. Whether that relationship is being explored for the 1st time or is a long term friendship, God hears us when we talk to Him. So no matter what... <b><span style="background-color: yellow;">PRAY</span></b>.<br />
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No matter your understanding, persuasion or feelings, God says <b><span style="background-color: yellow;">PRAY</span></b><br />
No matter is you are worried, fearful or excited, God says <b><span style="background-color: yellow;">PRAY</span></b><br />
No matter is you don't know what to do, God says <b><span style="background-color: yellow;">PRAY</span></b><br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles+7:14&version=NIV">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></strong><br />
<b>if</b> <b><b>my</b></b> <b>people</b>, <b>who</b> <b>are</b> <b>called</b> <b>by</b> <b><b>my</b></b> <b>name</b>, will humble themselves and pray and seek <b><b>my</b></b> face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-11260031348824152892012-05-07T08:43:00.000-07:002012-05-07T08:43:18.622-07:00Law of LibertyI have been studying the book of James since the beginning of the year and digging into the challenging and straight forward little book. Just because something is concise and small certainly doesn't mean it doesn't pack a powerful punch!<br />
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This week I have been digging into the concept of the "perfect law of liberty" found in James 1:25 and 2:12. My first question was "what is the perfect law of liberty?" And my second question was "haven't we been set free from the law and following rules?"<br />
So as always, the only way to find true answers is to dig into scripture to interpret scripture. Here is just the surface of what I am finding and what I am learning.<br />
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1) What is the "Perfect Law of Liberty?"<br />
When looking at the original language it appears that the law of liberty is referring to the word of God as seen in its completeness from Genesis to Revelation (the law of Moses fulfilled in Christ Jesus) which brings us freedom.<br />
This leads right into my second question and I think of John 8:31-32a (ESV)<br />
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<b><span class="ind">So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, <span class="HBJW"><span class="HBFS" id="note634" title=""></span>“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,</span>
<span class="HBSP" value="John 8:32"></span>
<span class="HBT" value="29229"></span> <span class="HBVN"></span><span class="HBJW">and you will <span class="HBFS" id="note635"></span>know the truth, and the truth <span class="HBFS" id="note636" title=""></span>will set you free.”</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"> </span></span></b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;">Jesus used "logos" when speaking of His word which means the Divine expression- Christ himself. So when we abide in him and are truly his disciples, we will know the truth and it will set us free. But wait...</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"></span></span><b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"> </span></span></b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;">2) Haven't we been set free from the law and following rules?</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;">Simply the answer is yes and no! (Ha Ha Ha, simple right?) We have not been set free from any and all authority as the human heart desires. God made us so that we would always have a boss (or master as He put it). We can either have sin as master of have God as master but we are never our own master.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;">I have struggled with this concept because I think that the basis on the human condition is the desire to rebel and throw off all authority and be our own boss. So when you accept Christ as the new boss of your life, it contradicts this innate mar on the human heart. I don't want a boss so I have fought in my sin nature with my new spirit to find an out from this new "law of liberty". But what I find is that if I truly abide in Christ, get to know God and walk with Him in obedience, I am living in the law of liberty and it has set me free! Yes, I am choosing to do life God's way (which is really the only way that makes sense and makes it worth living) and that could be viewed as following rules but it is all about my heart. With Christ, I follow and obey because I want to and love him. Sometimes my love for him creates my want to and it is a choice rather than a feeling! This obedience from love is an act of freedom, I am not coerced or forced but actively choose of my own free will. What could be more free than that???</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;">So perhaps we need to redefine freedom and come to a deeper understanding of the "law of liberty". I know that I have only scratched the surface and will continue to learn more!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;">Just remember:</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><span class="HBS" value="G3767">Therefore</span>, <span class="HBS" value="G1437">if</span> <span class="HBS" value="G3588">the</span> <span class="HBS" value="G5207">Son</span> sets <span class="HBS" value="G5209">you</span> <span class="HBS" value="G1659">free</span>, you <span class="HBS" value="G3689">really</span> will <span class="HBS" value="G2071">be</span> <span class="HBS" value="G1658">free</span>.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"> ~ John 8:36 ESV</span></span></b><span class="ind"><span class="HBJW"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-57532819463009539982012-05-02T09:50:00.003-07:002012-05-02T09:50:46.857-07:00If you love running or hate it...I thought this was too hilarious not to share! I laughed and thought you might like a laugh today as well!<br />
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<br />EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-36716437796124678992012-03-07T09:04:00.002-08:002012-03-07T09:12:49.545-08:00Let Go and let God todayThought this message in this song was too good not to share! Be encouraged!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BJi_7f1cpbk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-57649829289020869852012-02-27T08:46:00.002-08:002012-02-27T08:51:08.452-08:00Quote for the dayThis was too good not to post!<br /><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">"You can't rush God. You can't push Him, You can't pull Him. You can't tug Him or taunt Him. If He has a mind to linger right where He is, you can't budge Him one inch. You can, however, try to go without Him; but, chances are, you'll come back because, if you really have a heart for God, you'll be miserable beyond His blessing. "</span><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> ~ Beth Moore- James- Mercy Triumphs ~</span><br /></div>EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728059929818082846.post-44228972439064465972012-02-23T13:37:00.002-08:002012-02-23T14:03:48.921-08:00Giving is so much better than gettingI was reminded today that giving is such a gift to the giver even more than the gift is a blessing to the recipient!<br /><br />I have and continue to try to follow God through living a generous life that aims to invest in others any way I can. Sometimes I must confess this is a really hard thing because it goes against my selfish sin nature. But when I walk in obedience to God and operate in the spirit, He blesses in so many ways! I saw this demonstrated so precisely when we were expecting our little man. We had so many baby showers and people that showered us with gifts and loving gestures that I was blown away. At first I couldn't imagine why everyone was so generous to us then my hubby reminded me that they wanted to give back to us because we always tried to love and give to them. So their blessing of gifts to us was a chance for God to illustrate to me how my obedience to Him was reciprocated! It made tears come to my eyes as I saw God loving us through them! It made me want to endure in living generously and loving others well.<br /><br />But here I find myself getting lost in the busyness of life again and miss how significant this essential obedience is in my life and in others. God surprised me with a joyful reminder this morning as I taught my exercise class. I have a lady who is expecting her 1st child and I have gotten the chance to love on her by gifts and friendship. I have been able to share much of what was so generously given to us with our baby! This morning as our whole class had a mini baby shower for her and gave her a group gift, she was so excited and I realized that generosity just doesn't stop giving to both parties! What a bountiful blessing from God!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Proverbs 11: 25 NASB</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">generous</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"> man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.</span><br /></div>EstherRDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377466844883892768noreply@blogger.com0