tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34494959373736878172024-03-08T03:48:23.238-06:00PracticingPraxisPraxis-- “Praxis” means not only to try, but also to penetrate, to fight, to give in, to win, to lose, to kneel down, to get up, to accept the struggle and fight until the last breath...aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-55048539758680873802014-10-01T17:25:00.000-05:002014-10-01T17:29:52.921-05:00Broken<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about someone you really love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone who means the world to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone who you’d rather die than live a day without. You have them in your mind? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now let me tell you a story. It’s a story that happened a long time ago, and yet maybe not as long as we might think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s about a father and his son. These two were positively inseparable. When they were together, life was glorious. You could see it in their eyes as they talked and laughed. In many ways, this father and son were more like lovers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They would sing together and work together and serve together. Serve…they loved doing that more than anything - looking out for others and taking care of others and bringing others joy and happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then one day, a terrible thing began to happen. Their best friend being spreading lies around, telling their other friends that there was something sinister about them. Claiming that they were not really as good, and kind, and loving as they said and showed. In fact, this friend was saying that life would be better off without them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The father and son had to watch with broken hearts as someone they loved and cared about began spiting them, mocking them…hating them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of their other friends began to believe these lies, while others tried defending them. There was such tumult, such apprehension…such pain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You recognize the story, don’t you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revelation 12:7 says, <i>“And war broke out in heaven…” </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wasn’t a war of military might. This was a war of words, hateful words…words that would tear the universe apart, relationships apart, and ultimately, the <i>heart of God into pieces</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We think of the Cross, of the sacrifice of Christ - the blood, nails, spear, whips, splintered wooden tree…and yes, that’s gory and horrible and my heart can’t tolerate the scene…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But how often do we think about what God gave up? Yes, God on the cross, the Man God that walked, and talked, taught, and healed, and lived with us. But also the Father God who had to stay behind and watch the love of His life go through all of this - alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ve had to say goodbye to your loved one before, yes? (maybe even permanently) You know the splitting feeling that goes down your chest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now think about God. No, don’t try to sugarcoat Him. Look at Him in His raw and broken state. This is God who is the source of joy and life and love, and there He is. Yes, He’s on that tree and He’s crying out, “Father, Father…why have You forsaken Me?!” But don’t forget to look at God in heaven. He’s not sitting on His throne, with the stone-cold face of nobility. Can’t you see Him? He’s bent over, crying so hard that no sound comes out. He’s hurting, He’s breaking, He’s in agony that our hearts can only feel the glimpse of. God is dying….no, God died. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For you. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, that’s right. He died for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because God would <i>rather die </i>than live another moment without you… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He would rather have He chest split in two than fathom saying goodbye to you forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that “friend of God” who says His isn’t who He claims to be…somehow he can keep us thinking that we’re worthless, and hopeless, and unloved. Somehow he keeps our minds so distracted on our situations, on our faults, the cares of this life that we don’t look up and see Love in action. We don’t see the heart of Love breaking for us, over us, with us…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh friends, what a loss when we don’t see…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you hear anything today, if you see anything today, if you believe anything today, believe this…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You are loved</i>. Infinitely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because <i>God. Is. Love. </i></span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-60979297037466309882013-12-11T18:36:00.000-06:002013-12-11T18:36:53.760-06:00Of Trees and Guineas<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adapted from a recent journal entry...</span></i><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past few days, the ground has been covered in snow with the temperatures plummeting into the single digits at night. We’ve kept our guineas in the giant seed house during the day, and tucked them their bungalow at bedtime. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this afternoon, the sun showed its face, and Dad decided to let the guineas out to enjoy a bit of fresh air. We were interested to see how they would take to their first encounter with snow. As he opened the door, they waddled to look out. Apparently, they were not impressed with earth’s new garb, and all fourteen of them took to the sky without setting one claw on the frigid turf. They landed in a tall tree across the fence, and perched there in the sunlight, looking like Christmas ornaments gracing its bare branches. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hoped that as the sun set, they would decide to fly back to their coop, but we hoped in vain. Knowing their dismal chance of survival against the talons of Mr. Owl and Jack Frost’s icy bite, we initiate Operation Guinea Rescue. How much easier it would have been had they flown down as Mom rattled their bowl of food, calling up to them from below. All they did was cackle back at her, beaks chattering in the cold. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The heroes of the story (Alan and Kendall) scaled the tree, poky branches scratching hands and face. Dad took position at base camp, whilst Mom and I stood by on our side of the fence. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One by one, the boys would grab the birds by their legs, flip them upside-down amidst frantically flailing wings, tie their feet with string, and let them down to Dad waiting below. He would bring them over to the fence, and while one of us pried it apart, the other would take the guinea from Dad and march it back to the seed house. It was a slow process. The sun set, the moon and stars came out, and we were still picking birds from the tree.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I crunched through moon-lit snow, clutching shivering birds to my chest, I thought of how much I can be like a guinea. (trust me, this isn’t a new revelation) How foolish and dull… </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God will be standing at the mess of a tree I’ve gotten myself into, calling up to me. Even though I really want to just fly down, all I do is cackle. And He knows He must initiate Operation Aubrey Rescue. But unlike the guinea case, He doesn’t climb into the tree, tie me up by my feet, and let me down head first. No, that’s not what He does. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, He allows Himself to be nailed <i>to a tree</i>, lifted above the mess I find myself in. It’s a slow process. The sun sets…the moon and stars come out. I watch as they lower Him from that tree. All of a sudden, my tree doesn’t seem all that high and scary, and all this love comes pouring down on my head, and I can see…</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How His tree makes my tree of no consequence</b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And God takes the greatest evil ever known to humanity and turns it into the greatest gift you have ever known…What was intended to harm you, God intended it all for good, and no matter what intends to harm you, God’s arms have you.” -The Greatest Gift p. 80-81</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Those arms once nailed apart, bring me down from my tree, tightly clutch me all shivering to chest warmed by grace, and carry me home. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-22624651921738930952013-11-16T12:36:00.001-06:002013-11-16T12:39:13.693-06:00Of Love and Mothers<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I looked up the word “mother” in the dictionary. Webster and I usually get along well, but he failed me on this one. The definition was so technical, completely lacking any sort of feeling or ardor the word demands. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mothers aren’t the type you can fit in the dictionary box. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today, my mother completes another orbit around our blazing star. We were suppose to be spending the day hiking the boulders of Wichita, but instead, I’m tucked in my top bunk, throat wrapped, some sort of herbal tea balanced beside me - sick. And where is Mom? She’s here - the rest of the family having left early this morning to hike and enjoy what is more than likely to be the last gorgeous day of fall. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What a way to spend her birthday! And I can lay here and easily feel terrible about spoiling her special day…but she’s not complaining.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“I get to spend an entire day with my daughter.” </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And I wonder what kind of love this is… </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>In our humanity, love is frequently misunderstood, which would only make sense, for we misunderstand God, and He is love. Our thoughts of love are controlling, self-seeking, self-gratifying - selfish. This "love" only leads us to misery, for no freedom is found there. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>But as God gains access to our hearts, He begins to change the way we think about love. This is where love and pain beat from the same heart. This is when love breaks free from humanity's box and shows us how much it risks, how much it gives, how much it pours of itself with no hope of being filled, yet knowing it can never run dry. It's wild and crazy, this God-love is.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As Mom dries my legs and feet after an intense round of limb contrast this morning, I’m once again amazed…</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m so undeserving, and yet He loves anyways. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The stooping figure in front of me - the many pains she’s endured for me, the incredible amount of sacrifice…she’s painting a picture of God’s love for me. It's communion of a deeper sort. How to express gratitude for a God and a mother like that?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Words fall short. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Maybe Webster and I can empathize after all. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Happy Birthday, Mami! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo credit - alonnasmith</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-41017065678044617062013-11-06T14:10:00.001-06:002013-11-06T14:10:39.324-06:00Dunes and Dependence <span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I flop backwards, landing solidly on pile of white. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shoes kicked off, shirt sleeves rolled up, hair let down, tussled by the wind. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eyes ache as pupils shrink from the brilliance of the star shinning brightly in dome of cloudless blue. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They call this place White Sands. It’s one of my favorite places, nestled in the bottom right corner of the Land of Enchantment. All around me I can see dunes cuddling together, bordered by ragged, barren mountains painting the horizon with their peaks. The only sounds reaching my ears are the voices of my family and the wind sweeping across sand. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decide to take to another dune. Slipping and stumbling, I run. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning around, my family have now become tiny, black specks on this glorious canvass of blue and white. Wind, sand, and sky…solitude. Tension and stress seemingly drip from muscles into earth. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God stoops low. I wish I could fly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It’s night. The family gathers for worship. Some of us perch on couch, others sprawl on carpet. We speak of grace, salvation, and faith.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brianna pipes up. “Just think about having to move White Sands with a shovel. It would take all your life, plus another to move just one dune. And even then, the wind would constantly be working against you.” </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We churn thoughts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, but leaving the job to the wind, and the dunes move by a power greater than ours. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we move the dunes in our hearts? Do we try tackling them with the shovel of independence? Or do we flop backwards, trusting…depending the Wind will do what we cannot? </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will not the Master of sand and sky mold our hearts just as He molds the dunes? </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-40732465549185314612013-11-03T07:57:00.000-06:002013-11-03T07:57:04.157-06:00To Be Needed<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“You know that other night when we played that game?” one of the ladies from the church asks me, as we sweep up remains from our Operation Christmas Child project. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“The one where we had to find people and make groups of certain numbers?” </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>*How could I forget that game?* </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“It taught me such a beautiful lesson about how God works with us.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"Really? Please share." I never turn down object lessons:) </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“I remember one round when we had to make a group of two. I was alone and started to get panicky, when all of a sudden, two arms grabbed me around my waist. It was one of the twins. He was looking up at me with bright eyes and the biggest smile. ‘I found you!’ We were both equally relieved. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It made me think of how often times we can feel so alone in life, and how much we desperately need each other, how much we need God. And the joy that comes from finding each other…I was smiling for two weeks after that, just thinking of how good it felt to be wanted and needed.” </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oh, oh - I had seen it as just a game, one I opted to just watch. But to this dear lady, it showed the very heart of God.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If one simple game could leave someone smiling for two weeks…how many other simple acts of kindness could we do to brighten each other’s paths? </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s a hurting, lonely world out there. Perhaps you’re hurting and lonely. We can change that - one life, one smile, one touch at a time. We can be the very heart of God to those around us. Let someone know today that they are wanted - needed. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” -Henri Frederic Amiel </i></span><br />
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-74754069396434432802013-07-30T16:56:00.001-05:002013-07-31T11:04:57.120-05:00Acts 8 and an Aisle Seat <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Fearless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've heard courage isn't the absence of fear, but moving forward despite fear... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was in the A boarding group, but somehow I got stuck in an aisle seat. For the record, I'm a window seat person - very much a window seat person. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Lord, an aisle seat? Really?* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tend to find myself praying over the most trivial things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But to work my way through the salmon run line of people stuffed in the 737-sized aisle did not appeal to my introvert-inclined personality. I slumped in my seat in subjection to my situation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The flight attendant pulled the door shut and started the inflight safety demo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glancing across the aisle to the row next to me, I noticed a lady reading her Bible. She was in the last few chapters of Luke. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Aubrey, you need to talk to her.* </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Excuse me, Lord. I don't think so.*</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was momentarily distracted as our bluebird thundered down the runway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few minutes later…</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Aubrey, you need to talk to her.* </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Ahem! Lord, please no. I don't know what I would say, and plus…I'm completely exhausted. This is not a good idea.* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The impressions kept coming, and I kept resisting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">39,000 feet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suspended between heaven and earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">En route from St. Louis to Dallas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The battle rages up there too.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Maybe this isn't God asking. I mean, if she's really engrossed in reading, I would hate to interrupt her.*</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I started analyzing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Middle-age. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Married. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Bible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was now in John. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Ya, I really shouldn't bother her. If she was sitting next to me, that would be a different scenario. But to start conversation across the aisle, that seems too intrusive.*</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Aubrey, TALK TO HER* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends, the battle is very real. My hands were sweating, my heart was racing. Then I remembered Justin Kim's sermon from Sabbath…"drunk with the Holy Spirit." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*Ok Lord. Help me. I have no clue what or why, but here it goes…1…2…3* </i>(counting can be motivating:) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I leaned across the aisle and lightly tapped her arm. She started. I winced. My introverted-ness rolled in agony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Uh…hi. How are you?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked confused. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My name is Aubrey and I happened to notice what you were reading. Do you enjoy it?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She smiled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I do actually. I've just recently started reading it again. My pastor is encouraging us to read, and there's so many things going on in my life that I'm searching for answers. Do you like it?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I swallowed hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ya, I do. I like it a lot." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reaching down to my backpack, I pulled out my black book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"John is actually one of my favourite books in the Bible." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the conversation went from there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she asked me where I was coming from, I briefly relayed how we shot a video about this book called The Great Controversy. She lit up. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">"Where do I find that book? I'm very interested to read it."</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XlLDOMp5s4/Ufg1AzKPJ_I/AAAAAAAADL0/tujyReTvQtw/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XlLDOMp5s4/Ufg1AzKPJ_I/AAAAAAAADL0/tujyReTvQtw/s320/IMG_1812.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">David wasn't in the room for the photo;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It is an incredible book, and if you're interested in getting a deeper look into the life of Christ, I would also recommend a book called The Desire of Ages. But when you read these books, read them alongside the Bible. They're so much much better together." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was enthused, so I wrote down the titles for her and my information to contact me for free copies of the books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she discovered I worked part-time for a health organization, she was even more excited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You know, I've recently become convicted that God desires us to be restored body, mind, and soul. Religion is more than head knowledge, it also brings health to my body, and I'm really wanting to start seeing changes my life." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mouth about dropped open. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I completely agree. In fact, that's a huge part of why I do what I do." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shared a little about our family farm, and how I was going from being an independent girl, living outside my home, to a girl that worked within a family unit under the authority of father and brother, supporting a team spirit and striving for a BetterTogether life - a reflection of God's image. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How did you get to that point?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"God:) When God says He changes the heart, He meant it. And I had to keep believing that He would do what He said. It hasn't been an easy journey. In fact, I frequently think of it as a labor of blood, sweat, and tears. It means surrendering myself every morning and being willing to hurt. And you know, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She shook her head in amazement, smiling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"So what gave you the idea of tapping my arm?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Are you familiar with the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No. Tell me about it." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Well, you see Phillip was one of Christ's disciples and God told him to go into the desert…[insert the story yourself]…and you can find it in Acts 8." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh good! That's the next book I will be reading." </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyZTXkOM7-0/Ufg1WVri6XI/AAAAAAAADL8/EKwWTdc-GEk/s1600/IMG_1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyZTXkOM7-0/Ufg1WVri6XI/AAAAAAAADL8/EKwWTdc-GEk/s320/IMG_1737.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The nose of our bird tilted down as we came in to pancake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we reached the gate, people again clotted the plane's artery anticipating release (ever wondered why folks do that? I still can't figure it out) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new friend was swept off with the herd. I thought she'd probably gone for good, but when I finally got off the plane, she was waiting for me at the gate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I just wanted to thank you for tapping me on the arm and for our conversation. It was a huge blessing and I'm convinced that God is calling me to take more steps in my life. I'll definitely get those books." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I gave her a hug and she left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was left blown away that God did it again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So…take away? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not complaining next time I'm stuck in the aisle seat:) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courage, friends!! Our God is good! </span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-67722600481824371102013-07-04T20:03:00.000-05:002013-07-04T20:03:45.468-05:00Praxis<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I collect words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They fascinate me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Words. Definitions. Quotes. Articles. Letters. Books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Praxis". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a word I found June 27, 2011. Funny how some dates just stick. Mom and I were on our way to Weimar, Ca. Car trouble left us "stranded" in Colorado Springs. While we waited on the mechanics, we wandered around the Olympic Training Center. In an exhibit hall were the words hanging above photos of athletes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Praxis” means not only to try, but also to penetrate, to fight, to give in, to win, to lose, to kneel down, to get up, to accept the struggle and fight until the last breath...</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After journaling about the word, preaching about the word - when it came time to name my blog, it only seemed to fit. Little did I know when I started the blog that I would one day be a farmer...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and that farming would teach me some of the hardest lessons of Praxis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the spring, I learned to work in the cold, in the rain, in the dark, in the storm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The end of spring, we were slammed by a hailstorm which shredded most of the work from the spring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The earth began the work on process of recovery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now...clouds of grasshoppers munch, spider mites coat tomato plants, cucumber plants wilt on their strings. Chiggers leave artistic designs around my waist and down my legs. Sweat races to my eyes and tomato stain clings tenaciously to my hands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I wonder..."when is this thing going to get easier?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heh - and the faithful word reminds me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Praxis” means not only to try, but also to penetrate, to fight, to give in, to win, to lose, to kneel down, to get up, to accept the struggle and fight until the last breath...</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When is it going to get easy? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I wonder...do I really want it to? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is in the process of building farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the words of one of my favourite writers: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"...God made us quiet people who'd live lives not afraid of dirt or only the applause of God."</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glory pulses through this work. To handle the dead, the dying, the new, the living...to see grace in action, to learn to listen, to understand the way of the complexly simple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be easy to forget that God works in the small things, in ways mostly unnoticed to others...in ways that teach me the glory comes from Him and goes to Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And He can take everything destroyed and show that He has designed life to be resilient, to recover, to restore, and when we think it's over, it yields a greater blessing than before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is making quiet people who live lives not afraid of dirt - the dirt from whence plants sprout, and the dirt-made-man who breathe the breath of the Creator - or only the applause of God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praxis!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQwx7Hg651Q/UdYZ6vGj2CI/AAAAAAAADKM/AK00vIKrbFk/s600/gardenrecovery-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQwx7Hg651Q/UdYZ6vGj2CI/AAAAAAAADKM/AK00vIKrbFk/s400/gardenrecovery-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the tomato house</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E5kG0q_GMU/UdYZ_EMbouI/AAAAAAAADKU/iVrRWglG6BM/s600/gardenrecovery-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E5kG0q_GMU/UdYZ_EMbouI/AAAAAAAADKU/iVrRWglG6BM/s400/gardenrecovery-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cherry tomatoes(taller than me) bear bountifully</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rnto7z_eQ-Q/UdYaCieIFII/AAAAAAAADKc/a3giE-iDP38/s600/gardenrecovery-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rnto7z_eQ-Q/UdYaCieIFII/AAAAAAAADKc/a3giE-iDP38/s400/gardenrecovery-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our grasshopper eradication crew</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGxVphcwAwQ/UdYaGgu0EvI/AAAAAAAADKk/qJHOWy8ZQ1o/s600/gardenrecovery-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGxVphcwAwQ/UdYaGgu0EvI/AAAAAAAADKk/qJHOWy8ZQ1o/s400/gardenrecovery-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pepper plants - completely recovered</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyBqJs6GjUk/UdYaKSf-FwI/AAAAAAAADKs/jrEEVxRa3jU/s600/gardenrecovery-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyBqJs6GjUk/UdYaKSf-FwI/AAAAAAAADKs/jrEEVxRa3jU/s400/gardenrecovery-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new field hacked from stone - good work, guys!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5JguCFBAss/UdYZ3kYX69I/AAAAAAAADKE/J5Xrducb0fc/s600/gardenrecovery-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5JguCFBAss/UdYZ3kYX69I/AAAAAAAADKE/J5Xrducb0fc/s400/gardenrecovery-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flowering eggplant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCBLBLzCbQY/UdYaMCzzeGI/AAAAAAAADK0/K0UOqGHZj2g/s600/gardenrecovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCBLBLzCbQY/UdYaMCzzeGI/AAAAAAAADK0/K0UOqGHZj2g/s400/gardenrecovery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eggplant - more than recovered:)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-63345814142713111452013-05-23T21:49:00.001-05:002013-05-23T21:49:58.043-05:00FaithTrip Hail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...to show forth the praises...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_8Rdi241phM/UZ7RJ97f0aI/AAAAAAAADH8/ikFLHkgrlM0/s1600/lettuce_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_8Rdi241phM/UZ7RJ97f0aI/AAAAAAAADH8/ikFLHkgrlM0/s400/lettuce_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surveying the damage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DW6zQU9yz0E/UZ7RBFOFdWI/AAAAAAAADHQ/O5WGBu76e68/s1600/eggplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DW6zQU9yz0E/UZ7RBFOFdWI/AAAAAAAADHQ/O5WGBu76e68/s400/eggplant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggplant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3fkn9M8T4w/UZ7RAXp5kwI/AAAAAAAADHI/Wc81t7JWq6M/s1600/hail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3fkn9M8T4w/UZ7RAXp5kwI/AAAAAAAADHI/Wc81t7JWq6M/s400/hail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hail</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRywIm1cQG8/UZ7RELKfyyI/AAAAAAAADHg/6NFXlDMmMjE/s1600/hail_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRywIm1cQG8/UZ7RELKfyyI/AAAAAAAADHg/6NFXlDMmMjE/s400/hail_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOk-JXFw7n8/UZ7RHP4r9yI/AAAAAAAADHw/NYEQGhXEX54/s1600/kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOk-JXFw7n8/UZ7RHP4r9yI/AAAAAAAADHw/NYEQGhXEX54/s400/kale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOlBxaAPMkU/UZ7RFwYPqXI/AAAAAAAADHo/-RQuJhOqfTQ/s1600/keppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOlBxaAPMkU/UZ7RFwYPqXI/AAAAAAAADHo/-RQuJhOqfTQ/s400/keppy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kepler<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qa-Ki6nLr80/UZ7RKqg5LTI/AAAAAAAADIA/Be4pi6vyWLs/s1600/onions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qa-Ki6nLr80/UZ7RKqg5LTI/AAAAAAAADIA/Be4pi6vyWLs/s400/onions.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Onions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STujCQ1wW6Y/UZ7RMiJYhbI/AAAAAAAADII/Kf9gTgPcMGY/s1600/sandbags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STujCQ1wW6Y/UZ7RMiJYhbI/AAAAAAAADII/Kf9gTgPcMGY/s400/sandbags.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to stay the water from flooding the tomato house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hj1euiCcZ8A/UZ7RSAK4ZoI/AAAAAAAADIg/eF8FSY1DRsA/s1600/spinach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hj1euiCcZ8A/UZ7RSAK4ZoI/AAAAAAAADIg/eF8FSY1DRsA/s400/spinach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice-packed spinach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Pj5_10P2YI/UZ7RPote8gI/AAAAAAAADIQ/MLZn3AmSzcs/s1600/tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Pj5_10P2YI/UZ7RPote8gI/AAAAAAAADIQ/MLZn3AmSzcs/s400/tomatoes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kGiXAi_6TQ/UZ7RTGS1AoI/AAAAAAAADIk/Btot-ndbKqs/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kGiXAi_6TQ/UZ7RTGS1AoI/AAAAAAAADIk/Btot-ndbKqs/s400/tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big tree downed in front yard missing the Seedhouse<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="font-size: 13px;">
What a week it's been for Oklahoma! </div>
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We thought we missed the worst of it after the tragedy in Moore. </div>
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But then the sky turned black this morning. </div>
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Radar coloured deep red. </div>
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After 45mins in the shelter we emerged...to this. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A friend stops by to collect his order. </div>
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Words of encouragement pours from his lips. </div>
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"You are privileged to be entrusted with this." </div>
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<br /></div>
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And so BetterTogether has received a low blow. </div>
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Ya, I'll admit there's a lot of questions rolling around in my head...but I know this: FaithTrips only become more glorious as we learn to trust our Creator with EVERYTHING and give thanks. </div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-12923228069956066882013-05-04T17:47:00.001-05:002013-05-04T17:47:18.982-05:00Notes on Gifts
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<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[I wanted to write this earlier...but the words weren’t there. Well, now they’ve come] </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was so frail.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somehow I still remember so vividly. (small wonder) </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family members gathered around. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waiting. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What could I say? Words can seem so empty. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I faced the keys. Often I had played them - many Sabbath afternoons. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friendships had developed on those keys. Hearts opened and bound together. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music does that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what now? What did I want her to hear one last time? What promise did I want her to grasp, hold, live, and die on? </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flipping through my book, I chose deliberately. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, </span></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to take Him at His word. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to rest upon His promise, </span></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to know ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ </span></i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fingers caressed the black and white ever so gingerly. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last notes faded into the air, seemingly dying in the silence. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was the last time I saw her. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple weeks later I stood beside the box of death suspended over the gaping earth. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to go to heaven </span></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And pick a never fading flower...</span></i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazing grace</span></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How sweet the sound! </span></i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Singing doesn’t come easy to a throat aching with tears. It’s not natural. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The preacher prayed. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small group paid their respects and dispersed. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he came up to me. Her husband - bent over with his own grief, holding the leash of their dog...his dog now. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Aubrey, those last few moments Fran asked something. It was her dying wish. She wants you to take her piano. She always loved hearing you play and wants you to keep playing for others” </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stood stunned. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fountain of tears that had brimmed close whilst I sang burst their seams. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why is it we can never give more than we receive - that gifts come back in greater fold? </span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s been several years now. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The piano just recently moved residents - now a part of the Seiler family. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every time I touch the keys, I remember the gift, the grace...I remember Fran. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember <b><i>gifts</i></b></span></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> must stay gifts.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fransi Ann - the piano</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-32644890551960438432013-03-02T22:05:00.003-06:002013-03-02T22:07:11.490-06:00So God Made a Farmer <br />
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And on the 8th day, God looked down on His planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker.’ So God made a farmer. -Paul Harvey</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God made farmers then...and He’s making farmers now. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because there’s something about people that live close to the earth...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He sits there - mostly every morning. His lanky form hunched over his Bible, squinting at the print under the glow of the fluorescent lights from the grow shelves in our dining room now-turned-plant-nursery. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where has time gone? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wasn’t it just yesterday we were both kids arguing over Legos and building Indian forts in the woods? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wasn’t it just yesterday we were grumbling over math problems and stuck with our noses to history books? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wasn’t it just yesterday we traveled about the country with the parents and grandparents camping, exploring? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wasn’t it just yesterday we lived in Mexico, days full of Spanish and music? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then the blur happened. I moved to California and he to Tennessee. Places and people that have forever changed our lives. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time seemingly brought us full circle. Back in the house of our childhood antics, childhood grievances, childhood joys and dreams. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this time...he’s a farmer. He’s a boy-man pushing out of his teens into the world beyond. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He’s a boy-man wrestling with nature and God. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I watch him tear the ground, water the ground, prepare, plant, cultivate, harvest the ground. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hear him at night talking with friends, praying with friends, fighting side by side for the grace and the glory and the character of God. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only does the farmer grow the ground - the ground grows the farmer. Right here. Right now. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today...19 years into the making. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I smile and I’m thankful and I'm humbled. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So God made a farmer...Happy Birthday Alan. </span></span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-13261349160432179522013-02-01T21:51:00.000-06:002013-02-01T21:51:42.558-06:00Patrick
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Wrote this post when we visited Alan in October. Intentions were to publish it then, but somehow it got passed up. I came across it tonight. What a timely reminder for me...I hope it will be for you as well. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our car purrs along the backroads. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another morning on the farm awaits. Falls colors explode above us. The day seemingly rejoices in its birth. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we spot him. He’s limping alongside the asphalt trail. Dad slows the car. I know he’s going to offer a ride. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He turns toward us. I freeze. Blood forms a river dry from his eye. I cringe. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dirty hand clutches chest in pain. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Do you need a ride?” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He nods with effort and collapses shot gun. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What happened?”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Wrecked my truck,” he rasps. “Hit a tree.” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Can we take you to a doctor?”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“No, my wife will take me. Just drop me at the house.” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is in shock. Leaning back into the seat, eyes roll back in his head. He’s hurting. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Thank you so much for picking me up. You have no idea how many people have driven by me this morning without even slowing down.” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly I see in him more than a broken Tennessee boy. It’s as if we’re reenacting a story of long ago...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell...” </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know the story, right? You can see the fanciful drawings from the Bible Story books you read as a kid. You can see the pretentious priest and the hoity-toity Levite gathering their robes luxurious stepping around the wounded man noses plugged to the heavens. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then comes the Samaritan, hero of the telling. Compassion lines his face as he slides from his donkey and bends over the broken and the bleeding. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We pull into the driveway. Mom walks with him to the door. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He’s Patrick: nobleman </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He’s hurting. Aren’t so many? Of noble and not such...each broken in their own ways. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His face is burned into memory. I see the blood as I plant artichokes, as I haul worm castings, as I scrape away the dead remains of summer. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muscles burn under strain, but the heart burns more.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You have no idea how many people past me...” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think of the priest and the Levite. Maybe it wasn’t just their status, their rich robes. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No...perhaps it was more than that. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe they were busy. Too busy to stop...to see. How easily observance is lost. Busy kicks us into high gear and blinds us. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Ever stuck your head out a window of a car speeding down the highway and tried to keep your eyes open? Don’t try that while driving.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe the priest and Levite had the greatest of intentions, but time did not permit the stopping to help the hurting. *ouch*</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You have no idea how many people past me...” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many times do I fly past the Patricks not seeing them for the busyness? How often passing over the broken and the bleeding in the scramble to “do good”? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke...” </span></i></span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-40850378391336158262013-01-15T20:48:00.000-06:002013-01-15T20:48:06.470-06:00More Than Those
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sat there, perched a little over 9,000 ft - waiting. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our group had hiked up the evening before. It was the first time I’d climbed that high. My prairie-raised lungs and legs staunchly protested the abusing, but it had been worth it. Each turn brought stunning views causing frequent self-pinching.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s been over a year now...time’s pace never ceases to amazes me. I was a newcomer to the diverse state of California, a tyro to the “wilderness” of the Sierra’s (some more intrepidly inclined might laugh at the wilderness-ness of it).</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supper was had on a nook above the rocky steep. The 80 stroked its way on valley floor below twinkling Christmas-lit by headlights. An elegant sunset tucked us in, fully dressed snuggling sleeping bags, under cleft. Starry panorama dazzled us dreamland-ward. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We greeted the morning before dawn. Absolutely nothing compares to waking up on top of the world (talk about the right side of bed:) Scrambling upward, wind whistled through hair and sweaters bringing us to instant alertness. Lake Tahoe, a muted jewel at early hours, slumbered pastel on the horizon. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sitting, shivering on craggy outcrop, we waited.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sky eastward continued to change color. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We waited. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waited eagerly for the golden ball, fire rising. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We waited. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Checking time on phone, counting seconds. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We waited. </i></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then...yellow warmth licking faces, eyes sparkling. It leaped, dancing across surrounding peaks, showering the world in sunlight.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in His word I do hope.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My soul waits for the Lord</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>More than those who </i><b><i>watch for the morning</i></b><i>—</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Yes, </i><b><i>more than those who watch for the morning</i></b><i>. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Psalm 130: 5,6</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are we willing to wait for Him like that? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thanks for letting me use the picture, Adam:)</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-43029466109311390632012-12-19T00:29:00.000-06:002012-12-19T00:29:34.422-06:00Insane Pilots, Heros, and Grace
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pilot rushes out of the cockpit screaming. Intercom crackles, "Restrain him!" You rip your seatbelt off and lunge. With the help of a few others, he's pinned to the floor until the plane lands. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grace. Can’t it be obvious sometimes? And other times, doesn’t it seem missing in action?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What of times when airplanes don’t land safely, or when mad men shoot through little kids, or when thousands die every day simply because they don’t have enough to eat? Where is grace then? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why is it, when grace is given, we feel we don’t deserve it? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And why do we feel we’re owed something in its absence? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we appreciate grace when it becomes the humdrum of everyday life? And how do we continue to see it when pain rips it from view? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not everyday will you tackle insane pilots, feel the pulse of heroism pump through veins, but everyday you can conquer insane thoughts - thoughts that kill grace, destroy it. Fear-producing, pride-inducing, sin-seducing thoughts that not only trap you, but others around you. The only way to overpower these nutty notions is to give thanks for the grace around you, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple, you say? Well, grace might be harder to recognize than you think. These insane membranes have been on the rampage a long time.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You choose to remain in your seat and let them wreak havoc or lunge at them and pull them down - pull them down with gratitude. The choice is yours. Will you be a hero today? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*a piece written for a writing course I'm attending in Austin, Tx. The subject line was given to me and I had to make it fit with my thought: grace. Many of the questions I ask - honestly, I don't have answers. "Sometimes the only way to understand is to fall on your knees and say you don't." That's where I am. Perhaps only by going lower, deeper can answers truly be found. </i></span></span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-72334954122814701342012-12-08T14:31:00.000-06:002012-12-08T14:31:01.783-06:009-Year Old's Eye Salve
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kneel among stacks of ornaments cutting ribbon for the tree. It has been a long day...a long week (and it’s only Tuesday). My friend kneels beside, helping me. His little body coursing with Advent adrenaline. We’re transforming the evergreen. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“This is the first year we’ve ever designed our tree!” he exclaims. I smile. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctor walks in from a late day at the office. He reads of exhaustion, lines of weariness and illness mark his face. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Daddy, what do you think of the tree?” bubbles the boy. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s nice,” comes the worn response. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What do you mean it’s nice, Daddy? Isn’t it <i>beautiful</i>?” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sit there, back turned to the doctor, staring at my scissors. There’s a long pause.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yes, it’s beautiful.” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tone of his response melts me inside. This man - busy, stressed, overburdened, sick, doctor, as well as president of a college - he sees it. He enters into the moment. It’s as if the world pauses and all that matters is the tree, the beauty of it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it’s my little friend who captures my attention. His curly head bounces with glee, his eyes sparkle with wonder, glitter sprinkled across his nose and cheeks glistens with the reflections from the lights. He’s reflecting the beauty because he sees it, he revels in it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I ask myself: </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When was last time I saw through the eyes of a child? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When did I stop being a child? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why is it that small things of beauty no longer impress? Why does it take the precipice of the Grand Canyon, or the snow-topped Alps, or the translucent waters of Lake Tahoe to make me gape in awe? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if I could be stripped of my “adult” lenses and look at the world through the eyes of my friend? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How would that change how I view life and how I view God? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could I reflect beauty because I see it, I’m willing to enter in? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmm - and so I’ve pondered these thoughts all week. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Daddy, isn’t it beautiful?” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps it’s time we pause the world, enter into the beauty of small things, and become small things of beauty. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkkIf3iuvnk/UMOa6dpC-rI/AAAAAAAACxs/LZYRNF7UvKY/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkkIf3iuvnk/UMOa6dpC-rI/AAAAAAAACxs/LZYRNF7UvKY/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-22270483312618350432012-11-25T14:34:00.000-06:002012-11-25T14:34:25.167-06:00Messy Rooms and Gratitude
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to review, revisit, relive. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8o5rA-OGIyc/ULJ9CBzheQI/AAAAAAAACsg/p2Ngg6OensY/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8o5rA-OGIyc/ULJ9CBzheQI/AAAAAAAACsg/p2Ngg6OensY/s400/IMG_1825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Letters, journals, books, keepsake boxes, pictures…somehow daily grind had erased those moments from my memory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The room holds the appearance of Oklahoma tornado aftermath, but it's a place of healing - of remembering - of discovering that each phase, each step, each blowing wind of change has given more than it could ever take. That the gifts God gives only grow sweeter with time, with new chapters, with every turn of page. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHx2U3GikTY/ULJ-myjL2aI/AAAAAAAACsw/I5KrJhw_hl0/s1600/IMG_1827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHx2U3GikTY/ULJ-myjL2aI/AAAAAAAACsw/I5KrJhw_hl0/s400/IMG_1827.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet I admit, it is easy to forget how blessed I am, how many beautiful people have played a part in forming the life of today. I find them here - in this mess of room. Voices from the past, voices I haven't heard in months, years…voices whose sound I can't even remember, but as I uncover and open memories, they still speak. I trace words with finger and tho the sound I can no longer define, I find the lessons just as true. And I smile.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, there is something about this taking from shelves and placing in boxes that teaches the heart a new element of gratitude. FaithTrips come in all shapes and sizes. This one comes with packing boxes…and I'm thankful.</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-74933000043177470522012-10-28T20:30:00.000-05:002012-10-28T20:30:20.444-05:00Garden of Gifts
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muscles strain and strengthen under wheelbarrow loads of compost. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Palms blister and heal gripping shovel, rake, and cultivator.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back bends sore over hundreds of lettuce plantlings. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hands crack dry embracing the dead-life-giving soil. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smiles grow in this land...this land of the living. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It isn’t paradise, but it’s the closest thing this side of the Jordan. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s the place where the dead give life, where storm is greeted as warmly as sun, where man links hand with the Creator. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a farm...a garden. The place God created at the beginning of time and then cursed for our blessing. It’s where hearts of stony self-service break into the rocks of life-giving, life-pouring, life-living gifts. Where child learns with parent and grandparent to give thanks in everything, to care for everything. To weep and laugh, to mourn and dance...to live life to its fullest. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and others might scorn the simplicity, the humility, the sacred duty of those who kneel and pour their lives back into the ground they came from. They might deride the sweat, the tears shed over plants lost, the blending of hearts with the Creator - because they’re too busy to realize the glory in it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m guilty of that attitude...but something, Someone, is changing that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has to do with gifts...counting them. Not gifts desired, but gifts given.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gifts for those who wish to see - who take the time to see. Gifts for those who give thanks...in <i>everything</i>.</span></span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-6790364022996310902012-10-23T14:51:00.000-05:002012-10-23T14:51:17.487-05:00The Morning After...<br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s dark. The sun is a late riser these mornings. Seems it can’t get enough rest. I empathize. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A train rumbles the earth in the distance howling its horn among the hills. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wind plays harmonies through my window screen breathing the music morning yawns. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s October 23, 2012... </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we’re still here. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time hasn’t stopped ticking, but have we stopped caring?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this day just another mark on the calendar? Another day of classes, work, busyness – or is it a reminder that should break our hearts, bend our knees? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">168 years. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are we doing? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have we’ve dwelt among the palaces of Egypt so long that we’ve <i>“mistaken God’s purpose” (Edu 62)?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it possible that we need to unlearn, relearn...re-educate?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Now, as never before, we need to understand the true science of education. If we fail to understand this we shall never have a place in the kingdom of God.” (U.T., July 8, 1897)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can we afford not to? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skies turn gray blue. The sun rubs its eyes awake. Heavy, dark clouds race on – morning rush hour on the prairies of Oklahoma. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you see the need? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Birds sing.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sky metamorphosis to pinks and orange. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s light. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s time to see.</span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-19278936138202281662012-10-02T19:55:00.000-05:002012-10-23T07:27:04.479-05:00"That's One Small Step For Man..." <br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sound familiar? If you're a history or space guru I would imagine you have those words memorized. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John F. Kennedy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day was May 25, 1961. Our country was charged with the task of beating the Soviets in the space race of putting a man on the moon. The command from the president was unambiguous and yet absolutely ridiculous at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would take billions of dollars, thousands of people, and technology that hadn't been invented yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's all the time they had been given. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seemingly impossible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 21, 1969. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin make history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."</i> -Neil Armstrong</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">America won! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*all the space buffs cheer again (even though they could recite the story in their sleep)*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's something thrilling about space work. It somehow manages to fascinate people world-over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you know…there's another command yet to be fulfilled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Commander of Chiefs has spoken…unambiguously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being." Education 262</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notice the deadline is set. </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"…in this generation" </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seemingly impossible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why aren't we busting at the seams with enthusiasm over this command like our space friends are over conquering the moon?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's because our parents have read this quote, and their parents have read this quote, and their parents have read this quote…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now we read it and say, "Uh huh…blah blah blah. It sounds so good, but really? C'mon, give us something more within our scope of capability." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, put a man on the moon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Poor parallel. That's already been done. Scientists have proved it." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, but think how they must have felt before they proved it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JFK had no clue how to put a man on the moon any more than a fish can understand what it's like to be a bird. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realize though that our Commander and Chief knows how to accomplish His command. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has to do with one word: <b>Education</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(p.s. we'll we get around to eucharisteo…that's coming a little later)</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-90066696901376841282012-09-27T20:21:00.001-05:002012-09-28T10:05:51.641-05:00Africa and Time Filters<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forgetfulness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's something that plagues me. So often I find myself completely engaged in the here and now that I forget the past. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there is something about remembering…something powerful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize the importance when I take time to sit down and think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time has a way of putting a filter on the past. Somehow it helps to soften the rough, hard edges in my mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've noticed it too, haven't you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it's with a family vacation, a year at school, the family reunion, a wedding, etc? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes - there are times when the bad is so bad that it predominately remains fixed in memory, but for most cases we tend to see the positive, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's why I say this. As an aspiring film maker, I spend days…months pouring my life into a production. Sometimes I work with less-than inspiring content - other times, I couldn't ask for a better story. But wonders of wonders…when I look back at a project later down the road, it tends to become more beautiful in my mind, regardless of the sweat and tears put into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One project in particular is the Zimbabwe PAC video I worked with while at Weimar Institute. I clearly recall sitting on the plane on the way back from Africa completely baffled at how I was to create a compelling story from the experience we had just gone through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For months afterwards, I struggled with the storyline and how to make it appeal to viewers without sacrificing the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ultimate result was something of beauty and emotion - a far cry from the actual mission trip experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or was it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What the video doesn't show is what our accommodations were really like. It doesn't show the dirty houses, the lack of water (much less running water). The fact that we were malnourished and frequently hungry. The trial of always being late to everything (think hour or more). That one of our team members was super sick for the first few days. That four of the crew had their luggage stolen. How funds disappeared into thin air. The confusion in leadership. Shady characters…It shows none of that. And yet, those were real hurdles we faced. Flying back from Africa, those were the only things I could think of because they seemingly overwhelmed the trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when I got back and looked through the eye of what my camera captured, I began seeing a different Africa than what we had encountered. An Africa with beautiful people, the blessing of how our Weimar team bonded so strongly, the power of music evangelism and medical work, the timeless faces of orphans…something lovely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through post-production, I began seeing the beauty in the ugly and God was able to use that new perspective to ultimately bring together the Zimbabwe video.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a lesson learned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But here is where I pose the question: do we have to wait until we look back before we see the beauty in the ugly? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It takes transformation though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A paradigm shift. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something called….eucharisteo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmmm…maybe that discussion shall be left for the next post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then, check out the Zimbabwe <a href="http://pacmissions.org/zimbabwe-mission-video/" target="_blank">video</a>, if you haven't seen it and think about finding beauty in the ugly. </span></div>
aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-62151322307044858902012-09-19T11:10:00.000-05:002012-09-19T11:10:35.922-05:00Tune My Heart
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, the times I wonder if seeking is a solo.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But no…in His own time, God always adds the harmony. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm always amazed how.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The listening ear of a friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A heart beating to the same drum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone else who hears the music…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rally cry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uplift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inspire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow God to tune your heart to His, and He can use you to add harmony to someone else's song today. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xT6V3XIB6dg/UFnqwMSr9KI/AAAAAAAACVc/XkpxdpC1wck/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xT6V3XIB6dg/UFnqwMSr9KI/AAAAAAAACVc/XkpxdpC1wck/s400/IMG_1199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YJhOp6oEMo/UFnq30SfBqI/AAAAAAAACVk/Z77IMG92gzc/s1600/IMG_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YJhOp6oEMo/UFnq30SfBqI/AAAAAAAACVk/Z77IMG92gzc/s400/IMG_1202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul_Crs8a7BA/UFnq-hO9DhI/AAAAAAAACVw/Nce0Lw1z2cA/s1600/IMG_1217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul_Crs8a7BA/UFnq-hO9DhI/AAAAAAAACVw/Nce0Lw1z2cA/s400/IMG_1217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Photos taken at Weimar Institute</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-82054538588942572452012-09-10T09:42:00.001-05:002012-09-12T10:01:29.898-05:00You Shoulda Catched Me!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Sabbath afternoon hike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stand upon a granite slab taking in the barrenly beautiful terrain waiting for the rest of the company to make their way back up the trail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little five-year old friend tests his balancing skills walking on the uneven rock. His father offers his hand, but like most five-year olds (I'm sure I did this when I was five), he doesn't take it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I can do it by myself" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know how that goes, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not more than a few steps before…down he goes. The fall isn't terribly hard, but he sure isn't standing on two feet anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is that pause that frequently occurs in moments like this when a youngster is debating whether or not his predicament is worth making a fuss over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But his response surprises me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Daddy! You shoulda catched me!" he wails. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait? What? Is he really saying that? </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I watch this whole scenario taking place, the words ring in my ears. Why do they sound so familiar? Ridiculous, but familiar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Daddy! You shoulda catched me!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many times have I said something similar to my heavenly Father? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure His response parallels this response I witness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Reuben, I couldn't catch you. You were walking in front of me…but if you hold my hand, it won't happen." </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aubrey, I couldn't catch you. You were walking ahead of Me…but if you hold My hand…</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again a typical reaction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reuben isn't happy with his daddy and doesn't want to hold his hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No! You shoulda catched me."</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I can't trust you anymore </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ouch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so Daddy complies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After all, forcing a child to hold your hand never works very well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it's not too long before the youngster realizes that holding Daddy's hand is a much better option. Within minutes all distrust has vanished. I look behind me to see Reuben happily bouncing along hand-in-hand with his daddy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we reach a more treacherous part of the trail, he even submits to being picked up and carried over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It strikes me…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmm….something to think about, eh? </span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-10221337036653920042012-08-30T19:07:00.000-05:002012-08-30T20:32:58.093-05:00On Wings of Cheer<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is dedicated to my brother, who inspired me with agriculture, and to my roommate, who stood beside me my last month in California and prayed me through. You both are such a blessing. Thanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I promised myself that I would keep my writing short, but sometimes God is too good and I have to go long. I actually had the privilege of sharing this story with the Youth For Jesus team this summer, as well as the leaders for the Southwestern Union. Both times I've come to a different appeal, but the principles still ring true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The title of the post is a play off a nature book I read as a child, but it's also the phrase I repeat to myself when I fly reminding me that my newly acquired love for air travel truly is a cheerful occasion, regardless whether I'm coming or going. How true it is…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What? You're crazy!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to smile. It wasn't the first time I'd heard that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You mean, you're giving up all of this to go to Oklahoma and garden?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The incredulity in his voice echoed the feelings I had been fighting inside. I glanced out the window as the plane banked east over the stunning waters of Lake Tahoe and the grandeur of the Sierras.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep breath in and out. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yes, I am." </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really God? Is this really happening again? </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was exhausted. The entire month had been absolutely chaotic as I ran about courageously (perhaps somewhat foolishly) attempting to work multiple projects at once, but honestly the busyness hadn't been as hard as the mental struggle I had been going through.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was no break. Friends, teachers, pastors…and even I couldn't grasp the fact that God didn't want me to come back to school the following semester. The potential was endless. I was heavily involved in media and music…how could I consider leaving? You have too many talents to waste them in a garden, Aubrey. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nights I spent begging God to change His mind. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No change. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The change had to happen in my heart first, but I wasn't ready. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Questions still rushed about in my head. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I had reached the airport that morning, I was worn out in body, mind, and spirit. My roommate bid me farewell and I drooped through security. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hey, put a smile on your face," a TSA man grinned at me. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Are you ok? Smile," another chimed in. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since when have TSA people been so nice and friendly? I really don't want to smile. Can't a body be gloomy on occasion? </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slumping into my seat, I leaned my head against the seat back in front of me, not even bothering to watch the plane load or see who sat next to me. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a very low point. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God, I really need to know why I'm doing this. Please, somehow confirm that I am making the choice You want. I need affirmation. I can't do this without it. </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't until the plane began to taxi that I looked around at who I would be traveling with. Next to me was a older, African American gentleman, and a middle age Caucasian guy on the aisle. My neighbor was reading the paper: ObamaCare. Not having the slightest knowledge of politics, I struck up a conversation about them (generally not the greatest idea), but thankfully, he seemed learned and I listened. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The conversation moved from politics to his family, work, etc. Then he turned the questions on me. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Are you from California?"</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No, I've only been out here a year working at a small college." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shared some of what I'd done over the year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"So where are you going now?" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm moving back to Oklahoma to work in my brother's garden." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What? Why? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Because God is asking me to."</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Do you really believe God is calling you back to Oklahoma? You're crazy!?"</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God, this isn't helping. </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ok, so what is your ultimate goal? What are you wanting to do with the rest of your life?" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercy! Such general questions. How can I make this as simple as possible?</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Actually, I'm a fan of education. I want to use agriculture, music, media, ministry, and medicine to teach young people."</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What sort of religion are you?" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm a Christian." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What denomination?"</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Seventh-day Adventist." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is where conversations can get really long </i>(speaking from personal previous plane conversations) <i>Mom made it clear that I need to try to recuperate on this flight to prepare for a busy weekend. I can't talk the entire trip. </i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh, ok." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was that sort of response that begged the question…</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Do you know what a Seventh-day Adventist is?"</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh, sure. I have friends that are Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, etc." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as I had expected. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord, I can't get involved in this. I'm too tired. I can't even think straight. Please, no." </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next question came out anyways. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Do you like history?" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I love history." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Well, back in the middle 1800's there was a man by the name of William Miller…" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I related the story to him until I reached Daniel 8:14 (which really wasn't very far). Pulling my Bible out of my backpack, I laid it on the table in front of him. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"…'until 2,300 days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed'…Do you know what the sanctuary is?" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Of course." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Great. Let's review then." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we were off. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next few hours, we discussed a plethora of Bible teachings: sanctuary, salvation, great controversy, Sabbath, state of the dead, second coming, heaven, hell, the millennium…</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the conversation got deeper, I began praying hard. Thankfully, neither one of us ever became defensive, but kept open terms about us. I kept praying that God would help me remember where to find Scriptures as he fired questions at me. My energy began to return. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About half way into this, I realized that instead of just two people talking about beliefs, this was an all out war of principalities and powers. Sometimes the look in his eye would give me shivers up and down my spine. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord, we're up here flying 36,000ft and I need someone to pray with me. There's no way I can let anybody down there know what's going on right now, but I need prayer desperately. </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All while this is happening, the guy in the aisle seat remained completely expressionless. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is he thinking? I can't read him at all. Is he offended by this? </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We kept going. Most of the time, when he'd ask me a question, I'd reply with a Scripture and then turn the question back on him. I felt sorry for him because, even though he had a lot of knowledge, he was really quite confused and kept making himself more confused. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A voice came over the intercom.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We will be landing in the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport within the next few minutes…" </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait a minute, Lord. Is all of this talking, this searching of the Scriptures, this sharing the gospel not going to lead to anything? </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly, this really was the sort of talk that needed to culminate in a "What must I do to be saved?" sort of reply, but instead... </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Aubrey, it's been a pleasure talking with you. I've really enjoyed our conversation, but promise me two things."</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wonder what he's after. </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Promise me you'll never stop asking questions and promise me you'll never believe everything written in this Book," he tapped my open Bible. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{We'd also talked about the reliability of the Bible. That's when I learned he didn't believe the whole Book, claiming it to be flawed} </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another deep breath. </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Mr. Clarence, I will assure you that I will never stop asking questions. God has given us minds to ask questions and I intend to use it, but about the last part of the promise…Mr. Clarence, I guess it's time I quote Martin Luther. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin Luther was called before an assembly of the church and commanded to recant his beliefs. I can't remember his response exactly, but this is the idea: 'Here I stand. I can do no other.'</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. Clarence, my response to you is the same. Here I stand. I can do no other. There is no point to life if I cannot trust this Book fully. It is folly if I dare reject one word. I cannot promise."</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He looked at me, but didn't say anything. It was obvious the conversation was over. I leaned back in my seat and looked out the window again. The plane was descending over the flat, barren, Texas topography. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why God? Why did it have to end this way? Did I fail somewhere? What went wrong? </span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, looking back on it, I can only imagine what God's reaction to my question was. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Aubrey…just wait. It's not over yet.*</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fellow on the aisle finally reacted. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Excuse me, I hate to be nosey, but I really feel like I need to share something." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nosey? Haha. He's been sitting next to us the whole time...</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Sir, this young lady has been sharing with you the gospel the entire flight. It's because she has a fervent love for Christ and she loves you. Everything she said is the truth…"</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within a few sentences, he summarized the plan of salvation over again. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he turned to me. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Aubrey, my Bible is in my duffle and after watching you navigate your way around yours so easily, I'm convicted that I need to spend more time getting to know mine better and strengthening my relationship with Christ. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know, I've been praying for you this entire trip that God would give you the words to say and I must say, I've never heard the gospel shared with such clarity and boldness. I don't have that and I want it in my life. It was no accident that I sat here on this flight. I needed to hear this." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What? He was the answer to my prayers? God used him? Whoa…"</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning back to Mr. Clarence…"Sir, you weren't here on accident either. God is calling to my heart and to yours. Don't turn Him down." </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Aubrey, don't ever stop ministering. God has given you a gift." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of me wanted to burst into tears in awe and part of me wanted to break out singing at the top of my lungs. I could not believe what I was hearing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I won't." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't much longer before the wheels touched down on Texas soil. The plane began to unload. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David, as I learned his name, dragged his military duffle out from under the seat and stood up. Looking back at me over his shoulder, he whispered, "Thank you," and was gone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sat there trying to process everything that took place over the last few hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God had answered my prayers in more ways then I could've imagined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First - He reminded me of my identity as I shared with others truths from the Bible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second - He reminded me that He had called me to ministry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third - He reminded me that He is in control and wants me only to trust Him more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourth - He will use people we never dreamed He could to pray for us in our weakest moments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And fifth - it is by sharing Him with others that brings life to the soul and body. Not only was my mind clear, but I had more energy than I'd had in weeks. Had I rested? Yes, I rested in the Him. That's where true rest comes from. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got off the plane in complete marvel of the God we serve. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends, He is ever faithful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Won't you join me and learn to trust Him even more? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are people out there who need to see examples of what He can do in their lives. They need to be inspired to recommit themselves to Him, because the world destroys that desire. We can show them if we let Him lead and guide us regardless of whether it's something we want or not. He will use us in our weakest moments to bring glory to His name. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's prove Him right, eh? </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7qIPbGqBUA/UD__rxFNjeI/AAAAAAAACHM/4FresMnxeb4/s1600/Plane+Wing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7qIPbGqBUA/UD__rxFNjeI/AAAAAAAACHM/4FresMnxeb4/s400/Plane+Wing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just so you know, I have found joy in the garden. It's been one of the best ways of healing my heart, mind, and body, and is creating strong bonds with the Lord and my family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you ever get the chance to be involved with agriculture, jump on it. In fact, go out of your way if you have to:) </span></div>
aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-21227568787342679542012-08-27T16:25:00.000-05:002012-08-27T19:58:55.148-05:00Fish and Obedience<br />
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<i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"…He [Christ] sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give to His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character." -DA 299</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This mission is played out in every single aspect of Christ life here on earth. It was His constant aim. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One particular account is recorded in Luke 5…</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kHTJcn7B_M/UDvinrBIV_I/AAAAAAAACGk/nfBjbDoXjGc/s1600/92093438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kHTJcn7B_M/UDvinrBIV_I/AAAAAAAACGk/nfBjbDoXjGc/s400/92093438.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had been a long night on the lake. They had nothing to show for their efforts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were mentally tired too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some time now they had been watching this provocative young rabbi in His work. He healed people and preached about the kingdom of God. Some thought He could be the Messiah, but what a strange way of preparing to throw out the Romans. After all, wasn't that what the Messiah was suppose to do: cleanse the nation of this thorn in their side? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, this Man was teaching about poorness of spirit, meekness, mercy, and a boatload of other things contrary to what the Messiah should be doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*What business does He have to muddle in our personal lives? Can't He just concentrate on raising an army and getting the show on the road? We're ready to fight. Why isn't He?* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the boats near shore, they see Him on the beach. A crowd of people surround Him. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*See! He already has a following large enough to start something and yet He continues to counsel them about spiritual things. It just doesn't make sense. What kind of Messiah is this? Not the one we've been taught of.* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fisherman secure the boats and automatically start cleaning their nets, like they've done for years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They can't help notice the crowd continues to grow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus looks their way. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon, can you do me a favor? I need some space. Can we put your boat out from the shore and let me teach from there? </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon shrugs his shoulders. Why not? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sun continues to rise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The setting was perfect really. Had Kodak been around then, doubtless someone would have used it to describe the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fisherman listen as they finish their job and store the nets. They can't help be drawn by the words this Man speaks. Something about them soothes the tumult of thoughts that had been raging in their minds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silence. Jesus is done teaching…or is He? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch." vs. 4</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon looks around wondering if Jesus is talking to someone else. No, He's looking straight at Him. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*What? He wants me to fish now? Doesn't He know this isn't the time of day to fish? Doesn't He know you don't go into deep water? What can He be thinking? Just because I let Him use my boat to preach doesn't mean He can use it however He likes. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, the guy is a carpenter. He works with wood, not fish. This isn't He field of expertise. It's mine. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why is He embarrassing Himself in front of all these people? This is a fishing community after all. Everyone knows this isn't how you do things. What would they think if they see me following a carpenter's instructions? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On top of everything, we already have the nets stored away and it would take all afternoon to get them clean for tonight…</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I should help Him understand.* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Master, we have toiled all night (*ahem* that's when you're suppose to fish) and caught nothing…" vs. 5</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then he stops. As he looks into the eyes of Jesus, the words spill from his mouth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"…nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net." vs. 5</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait. Did he really just say that? </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Boy howdy. Here I go putting my foot in my mouth again. What did I just get myself into?*</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not wanting to meet the eyes of his counterparts, he hollers, <i>"Andrew, c'mon. Give me a hand." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't you imagine Andrew's face? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the boat sails into deep water, Simon doesn't need to look back to the shore. He can feel the eyes of the crowd on him. And yet Jesus doesn't seem to mind. He smiles and laughs as the boat rocks with the wind blowing across the lake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*How can He be so at ease? Everything about this is wrong.*</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus interrupts Simon's thoughts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, Simon. I think here is a good spot.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon looks around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Great. I knew He didn't know what He was doing. Of all places…really?* </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here guys, I'll give you a hand with the nets. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next moments are like slow motion for Simon and Andrew. Without thinking, they move automatically to cast their nets, their actions honed by years of experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*splash* The nets slapped the face of the water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instantly, the fisherman's muscles strain against weight of fish filling the nets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon's voice bellows across the lake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James! John! Come help!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They struggle as they work together. Jesus is right beside them, helping them haul the nets aboard. James and John arrive. Whoops and hollers spill from these fisherman. They've never seen anything like this in their life. Their boats are actually sinking because of the plenitude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the commotion settles, Simon looks around. He sees Jesus in the boat, dripping from head to toe, seaweed stuck in His hair, a huge grin spread across His face. But for the first time, Simon sees beyond the garb of a carpenter-turned-fisherman. The recognition brings him to his knees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" vs. 8</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Words uttered from the mouth of a man who knows he's in the very presence of God. The conviction is almost too much to bear. His heart is breaking. The knowledge of his condition humbles him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus kneels down beside him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Don't be afraid. From now on you will catch men." vs. 10</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jump forward several years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Pentecost. The city is full of pilgrims. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit has been poured out on the disciples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter stands up and begins to speak...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"...This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses…" Acts 2:32</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is testifying of the Messiah. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3,000 are added to the church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he watches people repenting and being baptized, it's as if he's back on the lake with Jesus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He can almost feel the breeze blowing through his hair, the rock of the boat against the waves, the smell of the fish surrounding him, the burning in his heart as he kneels at the feet of his Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He can hear the words spoken ever so gently, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Don't be afraid. From now on you will catch men." </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had been the wrong time, the wrong place. Everything Peter had been educated about fishing was challenged. The only reason he had to act on was Jesus word. He commanded it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only by His word was the catch a success. </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obedience to every word of God is another condition of success. Victories are not gained by ceremonies or display, but by simple obedience to the highest General, the Lord God of heaven. He who trusts in this Leader will never know defeat. Defeat comes in depending on human methods, human inventions, and placing the divine secondary. Obedience was the lesson that the Captain of the Lord's host sought to teach the vast armies of Israel – obedience in things in which they could see no success. When there is obedience to the voice of our Leader, Christ will conduct His battles in ways that will surprise the greatest powers of earth. -6T p. 140</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I wonder if the reason we don't see "catches" like this in our own life is because when Jesus asks us to do something radical, we don't get beyond the excuse. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You see, Master, we've been doing this a long time. Trust us. We know what we're doing. This is our area. Ask us to pick up a sword and fight for You, we'll do it in an instant, but don't try to mess with our personal lives, our daily lives, the area we feel comfortable with. That's our domain - not Yours." </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe we have yet to learn what it means to trust, to obey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do we really understand what it means to have Jesus undo the work in our heart wrought by false education? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do we have that right conception of His kingdom and of His own character? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps it's time to take our boats out deep and let down the nets...</span></div>
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aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-15543796901938984512012-08-20T22:29:00.002-05:002012-08-20T22:29:52.054-05:00Why Stand We Here Idle?
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will it be the next week, or the next year?…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shall we gather strength by <i>irresolution</i> and <i>inaction</i>? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power…we <i>shall not fight our battles alone</i>. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the <i>vigilant</i>, the <i>active</i>, the <i>brave</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is <i>now too late to retire from the contest.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!... </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our brethren are already in the field!</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Why stand we here idle?... </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The voice of a man...Patrick Henry. A man credited for bringing Virginia into the heart of the American Revolution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet, read the words over again. Do they not rally us today? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to the revolution of patriotism against the tyrannical rule of another nation, but a revolution nonetheless...a revolution in our hearts and minds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why stand we here idle? </span></div>
aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449495937373687817.post-91834103231406170292012-08-19T12:27:00.001-05:002012-08-19T12:27:09.532-05:00Out of the Heart
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The king has commissioned you to the most dangerous job in the nation.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had it been any other man, you’d think he’d completely lost his mind. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, this man, this king of yours, is a follower of the God of Israel and has proved himself a leader worthy of following. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But still...a job of this caliber is frighting. Butterflies quake in your stomach; your hands sweat. Doubt continues to creep about inside your mind. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Really? Is God really serious about this?” </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your friends, those destined to join you in your mission, stand about just as nervous and uncertain. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The morning sun edges above the horizon and bounces off the surrounding hills and rocks of the wilderness. Time is ticking.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem...” </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The king is speaking giving final commands to his army. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But they aren’t regular orders. They are words of encouragement and a reminder to believe...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Believe. Yes. That’s the only way. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most difficult part of the battle is won in this instance. The war between belief and doubt. Doubt has no room in the heart of belief.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A smile breaks across your face. Memories of how God has led before strengthen your heart. The smiles of those around your assure you they think the same thing. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, God is worth following. He has given the victory. The battle against the enemy hasn’t be fought, but you know it’s as good as won. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running to take your place before the army, hope and courage well within your very soul. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, you aren’t a general. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You aren’t a commander of any kind. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don’t even have a sword... </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are a singer. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s nothing between you and the enemy army. The soldiers of your country are behind you. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only music, only the voice of praise goes before you. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn’t the sound of timidity, but of intrepidity born from the knowledge of the beauty of holiness. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And those are the genre of songs you sing. The voices of your friends swell with yours as you march into the wilderness to prove God right. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever!” </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is something worth singing about...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It was a singular way of going to battle against the enemy’s army–praising the Lord with singing, and exalting the God of Israel. This was their battle song. They possessed the beauty of holiness. If more praising of God were engaged in now, hope and courage and faith would steadily increase. And would not this strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who today are standing in defense of truth? PK 202.1</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So often we think of Jehoshaphat’s singers flippantly, forgetting theirs wasn’t the job to covet. These people had to exercise the greatest amount of faith of all those tested in this trial. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Singers are warriors in the battle of today. Singers must have characters possessing the beauty of holiness. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of the heart the mouth sings...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can our hearts sing the songs of holiness?</span></span></div>
aubreyseilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12227716722951257489noreply@blogger.com0