tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35691826820686124852024-03-19T03:45:46.506-07:00bits and pieces....http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.comBlogger420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-27541611026056000932016-07-21T08:23:00.000-07:002016-07-21T08:23:51.658-07:00"My Heart, Christ's Home"...from an earlier posting...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI2e3azISgbSKTbouIUd2p7JOY9jYkWNEuaEJsqhx94RUn2p0zyVauDMUQQUUTO_4meetzzydMkwycoXbLXF1hsZ_G1Fjn7MIO5_iNXYwyKkfvLHHqsgdpQIC_DE9PgAmW7nTyOC8w5A/s1600-h/house-small.jpg"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446147032814571186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI2e3azISgbSKTbouIUd2p7JOY9jYkWNEuaEJsqhx94RUn2p0zyVauDMUQQUUTO_4meetzzydMkwycoXbLXF1hsZ_G1Fjn7MIO5_iNXYwyKkfvLHHqsgdpQIC_DE9PgAmW7nTyOC8w5A/s320/house-small.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 230px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">When I was growing up, a good friend of ours, Bob Munger, wrote a little booklet you may have read, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Christs-Home-Robert-Boyd-Munger/dp/087784075X">"MY HEART-CHRIST'S HOME".</a><br /><br />He says that as a young christian, when Christ entered his heart, in the joy of this new relationship, he told him "Lord, I want this heart of mine to be yours. I want you to settle down here and be fully at home. Let me show you around so you can be comfortable"...<br /><br />Then he walks with Jesus into each room of his heart, now Christ's home...<br /><br /><br /><em>The Study</em>...<br /><br /><br />Or the library, the study of the mind. It's a small room with thick walls, but it's important as it is the control room of the house.As Jesus looked around at the books and magazines on the shelf, and at the pictures on the walls....Dr.Munger says...<br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"As I followed his gaze, I became uncomfortable. Strangely enough, I had not felt bad about this room before, but now that he was there with me looking at these things, I was embarrassed. There were some books on the shelves his eyes were too pure to look at. On the table were a few magazines a christian has no business reading. As for the pictures on the walls - the imaginations and thoughts of my mind - some of these were shameful".<br /><br />"Red faced, I turned to Him and said 'Master, I know this room really needs to be cleaned up and made over. Will you help me change it to the way it ought to be?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br />And of course, Jesus agreed, and He began to replace the old with the new, His life changing new.<br /><br />Jesus told him... "First of all, take all the materials you are reading and viewing which are not true, good, pure and helpful, and throw them out! Now put on the empty shelves the books of the Bible. Fill your library with Scripture and meditate on them day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you wil have difficulty controlling these images, but I have something that will help", and He gave me a full sized portrait of Himself. "Hang this centrally, on the wall of your mind."... I did, and I have discovered through the years that when my thoughts are centered on Christ, the awareness of His presence causes wrong and impure thoughts to back away."...<br /><br />You get the idea... he took Jesus from room to room, and this little 28 page booklet is a picture of our hearts, as rooms in a home. And seeing each 'room' through Jesus' eyes, made a vivid impression on me as a teenager when I read this.<br /><br />Just like a home, our hearts and minds have different parts... emotions, fears, thoughts, gifts, hopes, joys, .... and He wants to be the Lord over all of them!<br /><br />Better yet, He has promised to enter into each of those places, and change and rearrange them, so that our Heart truly will be His home!... </span>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-23227941369989056192016-07-20T08:35:00.000-07:002016-07-20T08:35:00.810-07:00'Great American'... reposting some old ones this summer...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1klYonqA0Gy-CxP0Y2b2WiJWP3Mow6M8j7EU0nwnvGOzbxAl7RB6leLsUUbqSe6p58SHNQj41PLp-vZA06J6LsKTKLz6eMGwK7JgYAWNqbgl8Kcvh3BPbYEjvtAq5dLaTQQAk-wcPCWhd/s1600/ga+002.JPG"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748329302764096770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1klYonqA0Gy-CxP0Y2b2WiJWP3Mow6M8j7EU0nwnvGOzbxAl7RB6leLsUUbqSe6p58SHNQj41PLp-vZA06J6LsKTKLz6eMGwK7JgYAWNqbgl8Kcvh3BPbYEjvtAq5dLaTQQAk-wcPCWhd/s400/ga+002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 300px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Some years ago when we lived in Austin, Texas, my husband had left the corporate business world and we headed into our own publishing business.
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</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">At the same time, his ongoing love for antiques, particularly the kind that men collect, the early west expansion, gold mining, etc. , made it a natural to have a small antique shop, as we published a book on the subject.
<br />We found the perfect location! </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">On the highway south of Austin, a red and white 2 story building with the flag flying out front. We named the whole thing Great American, and the real breakdown of that was...
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">The lower floor was Great American Antiques...
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">The upstairs was Great American Publishing...
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 130%;">When the phone rang and they asked for the marketing department for our recently first published book... I put them on hold and ran upstairs to tell my hubby there was a call for the 'publishing business'. :)
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<br />I designed this little business card, which perfectly pictured our building and have saved it all these years.
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 130%;">We had some good days in that little building. The school bus even dropped our kids off there on their way home from school.
</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">When we published the first book, we casually saw <em>(anxiously waited for)</em> the mail truck outside the window and walked <em>(ran!)</em> to see how many orders were in the box.
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 130%;">This was also the little office where we published Charlie Schreiner's book on the 100 year anniversary of his</span> </span><a href="http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/2010/07/charlie-and-yo-ranch.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: red;">YO Ranch</span> </span></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">in Kerrville. We have a copy of the book he gave us, bound in longhorn hide which sits in my hubby's office.
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<br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It was in Austin where we met </span></span><a href="http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/2011/01/strange-memory.html"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 130%;">Charles Harrelson</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">, and he and Joe walked across the highway and sat with their coffee in Dairy Queen as they talked about life, and he shared PART of who he was. The rest we found out later...</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">More chapters from the journey. All 3 of our kids were baptized in Austin. My dad flew in from California and joined our pastor in the baptism. These were 3 kids whose salvation and baptism we wanted 'signed, sealed and delivered!'...</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Austin, Texas was a good chapter.</span>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img border="0" src="https://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> </span>
http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-69359378094175581182016-05-13T15:56:00.000-07:002016-05-13T18:21:16.790-07:00I'm afraid of... FEAR!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9vN9bLT3UDnXfQyBCjzDNa81706H_RF53nJpE7H7tzzjG_VbOQhG-UX80m-qwDbcZtQK57nCj-dMApWk1l9aGQmVXFF2bDsjo8sSaojwBXV0yiShiUcHnQQZUz-6_5mYe4iH3R7NaMID/s1600/638c567d77f57cbee4b1bfedb0187ee9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9vN9bLT3UDnXfQyBCjzDNa81706H_RF53nJpE7H7tzzjG_VbOQhG-UX80m-qwDbcZtQK57nCj-dMApWk1l9aGQmVXFF2bDsjo8sSaojwBXV0yiShiUcHnQQZUz-6_5mYe4iH3R7NaMID/s320/638c567d77f57cbee4b1bfedb0187ee9.jpg" width="284" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>FEAR...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many things in this world that get my heart beating too fast, and my pulse throbbing, not to mention my imagination racing to the possible finish line of whatever is causing the... fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>F</b> false </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>E</b> evidence</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>A </b> appearing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>R</b> real</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isn't that true? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When it strikes our hearts, it feels so drastic, and we almost get swallowed up in the nameless, faceless scenarios and possibilities,<i> especially if it's in the middle of the night.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Satan works overtime during the darkness... it's where he is the most comfortable, in the dark places of our minds, and during the night hours when everything bad seems worse!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Do you know how many scriptures speak against fear? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lots! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why did God include so many 'fear nots' in His Word?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because he knows the way our minds work. He understands how quickly we become fearful. He understands that even when we don't WANT to be a victim of fear, many times we are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He also knows that the answer to fear is faith. <i>He goes to the bottom of the whole fear issue when he says to trust him with everything.</i> All of it! Like my dad used to say, when he studied the word 'all'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>All he could find 'all' to mean is 'all'.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(It probably goes without saying, but the kind of fear I am talking about is totally apart from <i>fearing God</i>, which includes all the honor and respect that he is due because he is God, the awe and fear of God is in our hearts as his children.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fear of man, circumstances, finances, health, relationships and the whole bag of stuff that we deal with in our lives, that kind of fear is what traps us and trips us too often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>As the years have gone by, I find myself being more afraid of being fearful than daring to just plant my feet firmly and trust God.</i> It's because the lessons learned from living with fear so many times have caused me to understand more quickly that fear is a black hole, and I don't want to be in that hole! It's for sure God doesn't want me to be there either! As I have held my ground in faith, I have learned new lessons and my faith has grown. Just like God knew it would. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a lifetime of learning, and re-learning... and it's back to the simple basics of what God says. Trust me with all of it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The great lesson is always that he is faithful, every single time we dare to trust him.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I still try to take a shortcut and figure it out myself, or wring my hands and sweat over things, but before long, I know... LET IT GO... TRUST GOD. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim.1:7</i></span><br />
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<br />http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-81322842182604110212016-04-02T09:47:00.000-07:002016-04-02T09:47:32.276-07:002 peas in a pod...<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love to see our 2 youngest granddaughters dressed alike. They are 3 and 4 years old, and each of them loves their sister so much, kind of like 2 other sisters many years ago... They look like 2 little peas in a pod, so did we.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">We grew out of wanting to be dressed alike, and so will they, but we are sure enjoying these years of watching them and re-living our own memories.</span><br />
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<br />http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-41097162881725294342016-03-07T05:45:00.002-08:002020-01-26T04:33:23.225-08:00Discouragement...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How to Overcome Discouragement...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dad wrote this little booklet way back in 1965. It still speaks to me </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">today, and to others too, as it has been re-printed many many times through the years. Dad always talked about the importance of the 2 R's in our lives as christians, regarding dealing with temptation and sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">Recognize it</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Refuse it</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we begin to 'entertain' discouragement, we get pulled in before we know it, our spirits droop and we lose sight of who is able to handle it. It can lead us into a great big pity party or worse, depression.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dad wrote about 2 frogs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">"I am reminded of the story of 2 frogs that fell into a large cream crock. The one frog gave up swimming and immediately sank to the bottom. The second frog said to himself, 'well, if I'm going down, I'm not going down without a struggle.' So, he kicked and paddled and churned, and the first thing he knew he was sitting on a cake of butter!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Which frog are you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been the first frog many times. I have also been the second frog. What a difference between the 2!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dad goes further in this booklet, <i style="background-color: yellow;">"I believe there are biblical grounds for believing that discouragement is a sin. Heb.1:1-2 says 'throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and... let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.' </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">I use the term 'the sin of discouragement' because in Rom 14.23 we read "everything that does not come from faith is sin." Discouragement is not of faith. It is part of the doubt/belief pattern. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">There are some who think that discouragement is a valid part of the spiritual life.They have been deceived by discouragement, perhaps even to the point of "feeling spiritual" when they are discouraged. Let us be clear about this right now---discouragement is not one of the requisites for spiritual discipline, discipleship and development.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">Whatever its source, discouragement does not come from God. God is "the God of all encouragemnt". Discouragement often gets hold of a person who is sensitive, sensitive to God and very sensitive to self. It is a form of doubt and unbelief, which in turn is connected with disobedience. Where there is unbelief there is disobedience, as 2 sides of the same coin.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">When we recognize discouragement, we must learn to refuse it. The more radical the rejection, the more thorough the cure. The secret is to look away from self, to Christ, in faith, believing Him to deliver you. </i></span><i style="background-color: yellow; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This is My work. You cannot do it, but be very firm and definite in your faith, EXPECTING Me to take care of it."</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So many books have been written about discouragement that it is obviously something we all deal with from time to time, no doubt more often than we should. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As with everything in our lives, there is a solution. I can't tell you how many times through the years I have thought of this little booklet, and been lead to apply the same principles in my life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><i>Recognize it</i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Refuse it</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thanks Dad, for always speaking the truth, in your words and in your life.</span></span><br />
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http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-61994252252265467092016-01-28T07:54:00.000-08:002016-01-29T05:32:21.477-08:00Names...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have 8 fantastic grandchildren! That's all of us at Christmas,even my hubby, whose head was cut off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the names their parents have given each of them...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Courtney</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cassidy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lainey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Avery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Crew</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gracie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Faith</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When they were born, we didn't really know them yet, so the names were special, but still only names, some of them different than what we were used to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">NOW... I can't even imagine any name but the one that belongs to them. <i>They have grown into their names... that is who they are. </i>Isn't it funny how each name fits the person? In the case of these 8, not only is each name perfect, we smile at the mention of their names. We picture their faces, their personalities, the special ways each of them express themselves, the funny things they say, and the many things that make them uniquely them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>God knows my name.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He calls me His child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When He made me, He knew who I would be. <i>He knew that I would grow into my name. </i>He knew that my life would be a journey, and that all along the way, His plans for me were already known to him. I wonder how many times I have made Him smile... or how often His eyes filled with tears, as he has watched me make choices in my life, good ones and bad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so glad that my name is known to Him, and that it is already recorded in HIS book, now and for eternity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-16437116989759498702016-01-03T17:49:00.000-08:002016-01-03T17:49:34.846-08:00Who am I preaching to?.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The recipient of a lot of my blog writing is... me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I preach to the choir. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I am the choir.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not a planned thing, but when something is on my mind, often it is there because God is speaking to me, even when I think I am just jotting down my own thoughts. Sometimes I don't even realize that until later, long after I've written it and read it back... down the road.</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The words often mirror what His thoughts are producing in my heart. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are also times when I have almost NO thoughts. God is still there, working in my heart, but the words don't come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you found this to be true in your own blogging? The thoughts that prompt what we write are so often the very messages God is speaking to us, and as we share them, WE are the ones who are the most blessed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It's so often HIS word, becoming a little more clear in our own thinking.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are also plenty of blogs that are just random chatter, and those words come spilling out on these pages too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All of it together is a reflection of who we are and what is going on in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And something else...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>You are also the choir.</i> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hear it in your words and the things you share from your hearts. They often mirror some of the same things I am thinking about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so glad that you are a part of these pages and thoughts. </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I think we make a pretty good choir. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year to each one of you, I can't wait to see what God has ahead for this <i>choir</i> of His, as we continue to share our journeys on these pages. It's a joy to walk beside you, and you have enriched my life.</span><br />
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http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-35805047844978940732015-12-14T06:55:00.000-08:002015-12-14T07:04:11.219-08:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KmZmpQJH5nnfkshCKcro1fb76Hops4waADrWD-1fmMi0OIM7Umxd328_ZaG7a84NW-tT3zx9MB2IPYQuhbCi0LDEXuUSxcYl0tMtnJpRayvQXznwq2XmBeJ1Y4CbQuWRJ-KkUQ9qf4uh/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KmZmpQJH5nnfkshCKcro1fb76Hops4waADrWD-1fmMi0OIM7Umxd328_ZaG7a84NW-tT3zx9MB2IPYQuhbCi0LDEXuUSxcYl0tMtnJpRayvQXznwq2XmBeJ1Y4CbQuWRJ-KkUQ9qf4uh/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always forget how much I love Christmas, all through the house. I think 'I won't do it all this year', but then... I get started and remember how much fun it is and how the lights twinkle and the colors sparkle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most of all... I remember what JOY fills my heart because of this day, when Jesus came as a baby, to begin the fulfilling of the prophecy that would change the world forever. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b></span>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-3332702884594679672015-12-06T16:22:00.000-08:002015-12-06T16:26:29.103-08:00Knee season...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xay4Kfu3N104QFPEu_F8zVKPWPQjqAccqE-RqZ-EqIRmD_r-Clri88WWDoErhNLA80ELvMWdNjO2kayHY_8GBRsP9lOUacP-vLCxSs3NKcktmyjhRzClghY6McmHp1w5gv_h1ghX9NLw/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xay4Kfu3N104QFPEu_F8zVKPWPQjqAccqE-RqZ-EqIRmD_r-Clri88WWDoErhNLA80ELvMWdNjO2kayHY_8GBRsP9lOUacP-vLCxSs3NKcktmyjhRzClghY6McmHp1w5gv_h1ghX9NLw/s1600/download.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not my knee season, but my husband's. He had a right knee replacement on October 26. The surgery was the easy part. The rehab has been more difficult, but so well worth it. He injured his knee in high school football, and through the years it kept getting worse. It was definitely time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What does this have to do with me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that people have had this surgery who live alone, and they have coped and regained their strength and knee function but... every day of this rehab both Joe and I are reminded that it has taken BOTH of us to get him back to normal. Not to mention, that during surgery, somehow... his right shoulder rotator cuff went south, they think a tendon, or the rotator itself. So rehab has been a doozie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He is doing better every day, and so am I. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have been reminded many times in the past couple of months that we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made, and that "when one member suffers, the whole body suffers with it." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He's definitely on the mend, and we are so thankful for the advances in medicine that have made this surgery almost routine... almost. :)</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-79995168077128317192015-09-14T10:37:00.003-07:002015-09-27T05:36:14.453-07:00BE NOT WEARY...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu-683A_YRhYAPmIr36y4y5WW3rdsQOJQUbIQoESyBNGFrk4vHcDE1AVplHThAvpMN7BHsyhSDoUzn_qqRSi9TnHdwO-BBrd-17DPlK5ENC0KLKLopgPP5IHMZeEL9UWW-kHfS_5YwvBZ/s1600/A_Colorful_Cartoon_Weary_Woman_Collapsed_In_an_Easychair_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_100709-175099-965053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu-683A_YRhYAPmIr36y4y5WW3rdsQOJQUbIQoESyBNGFrk4vHcDE1AVplHThAvpMN7BHsyhSDoUzn_qqRSi9TnHdwO-BBrd-17DPlK5ENC0KLKLopgPP5IHMZeEL9UWW-kHfS_5YwvBZ/s1600/A_Colorful_Cartoon_Weary_Woman_Collapsed_In_an_Easychair_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_100709-175099-965053.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I told you the funny story <a href="http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/2012/05/family-supper.html"><b><span style="color: red;">here</span></b></a> of how my dad played word games with us as kids to help us stay interested and to learn the scriptures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my least favorites verses growing up was...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Be not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The 2 parts I struggled with were...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"In due season"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"If you faint not."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember many times when dad would say:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Be not weary"... and I knew all the rest by heart. He was reminding me of the truth of the verse with just those 3 words, and I kind of inwardly groaned, knowing the rest of it already.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"In due season"</i> meant then, as it still does today... in God's time. <i>It means to keep moving, one step at a time, even when there is no visible sign that what we are weary of is about to end.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"If you faint not"</i> takes it a step further... keep trusting and going about our daily lives, and God will answer in his time and way... <i>if we don't quit!</i> We will reap if we don't give up. So often it is almost overwhelming NOT to give up hope when we are waiting for God's answers. It's as though we think there might be another choice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the rubber meets the road... we are to stand, and God will meet the need we are so weary of asking him about... if we don't give up hope. I have also found that he has met my needs even when it has been a very weak trust on my part, at best. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a call to remember that God is alive and well, and our instruction is to keep trusting and knowing that his solution is coming... to STAND firm on God's promises which we already know from past experiences, are worthy of our faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have probably been reminded of that verse 100's if not 1000's of times through the years. I only need to say those 3 words... <i>"Be not weary"</i>... and I already am standing straighter and taller in my faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why? Because I know that the solutions are coming, that his promises are true, and that a lifetime of experiences have proven this truth to me, many times over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So now, many years later, I still may have an inward groan when I am <i>'weary'</i> of waiting, but I know with certainty that the <i>'due season'</i> is coming, and that I will not quit!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-89829683225011792082015-08-31T06:48:00.001-07:002015-09-01T04:27:13.659-07:00Eve and I...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA97tk75fZfwyIbwri6_pi7KTrhU0iIEHknhCF-ziISKe8foASDyP3FxN4TBeQZd3kgWjIM-mfKbGJizjTovLfmDoytVzKUlBXaSFb_4lU60XNi9T41BvQHZBKzK4A4UuqvJj9gAZ5Av-y/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA97tk75fZfwyIbwri6_pi7KTrhU0iIEHknhCF-ziISKe8foASDyP3FxN4TBeQZd3kgWjIM-mfKbGJizjTovLfmDoytVzKUlBXaSFb_4lU60XNi9T41BvQHZBKzK4A4UuqvJj9gAZ5Av-y/s320/download+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember reading the story of Adam and Eve so many times as a child, and thinking... I would NOT have eaten that apple!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I began to read more in the Bible, and understand myself better, I knew that every story and each person, was me... in one way or another. I am a sinner, just like they were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"There is none that doeth good, no not one"</i>, the Bible says. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We were born with sin natures, and we have each learned by now that there isn't enough will power in the world to change those natures.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God always knew it, and the provision he made through the death of his son on the cross, changed everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know it in my own life, you know it in yours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wrote this little poem on an early blog, it still fits...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><em>Eve in the garden, it could have been me, peeking through leaves, the apple I see...</em><br /><br /><em>Instructed by God to leave it alone, her mind started playing like a dog with a bone...</em><br /><br /><em>What was forbidden became the thing she wanted, the temptation was strong, she would not be daunted...</em><br /><br /><em>So she went to the tree, the one tree forbidden, and parted the leaves where the apple was hidden...</em><br /><br /><em>It was shiny and big and too good to be true, she called out for Adam, to beckon him too...</em><br /><br /><em>together they looked, touched and finally ate, the first picture of the human fate...</em><br /><br /><em>But God knew it all, right from the start. He provided a way for the human heart...</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><em><br />No wonder we call it man's good news, still...</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><em>the choice is ours, to win or lose...</em> </span></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When you feel in the need for a good miracle, all you need to do is look into your own heart, and remember who you were before you knew Jesus.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are we perfect now? Of course not, but have we been been changed? Yes, 1000 times over, and the process continues every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sinners, but forgiven! ALL God's work, none of mine.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Monday morning musings...</span><br />
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http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-28767873049901426482015-07-20T09:30:00.001-07:002015-07-20T15:20:23.461-07:00Name your 5 favorites!...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfYerWQ-vpnnHpb45dd6UtRjWC6WH7u8YDiWPcV5ncMAK1PqYRpe-AG23sIBKMTmUqXDxTXGixVpn7lkXfBuHPLvII3BzAqzOAuI2VwEDDGXUPZ3E-JHS9ZwO2Zh4A0EXou4HdrjBcild/s1600/ReaF2mNRpiBE5H3ZigZ6_Buffet_New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfYerWQ-vpnnHpb45dd6UtRjWC6WH7u8YDiWPcV5ncMAK1PqYRpe-AG23sIBKMTmUqXDxTXGixVpn7lkXfBuHPLvII3BzAqzOAuI2VwEDDGXUPZ3E-JHS9ZwO2Zh4A0EXou4HdrjBcild/s400/ReaF2mNRpiBE5H3ZigZ6_Buffet_New.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As usual, when I am working on losing weight, my mind is FOCUSED on food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These days, healthy clean eating is becoming really important. I wish I had paid better attention to a dad who ate healthy his whole life, while the rest of us ate what we wanted to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, for the fun of it, can you name your favorite meals?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are mine...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjPJPM-Hx3FZKsWB00sarJweXmq8Pi7J85v6xCVM6M0J61tXdT-uBVPgx3G742ZTIPOqsLEnBEeMKbsH6FqwfP5UVosL1QyeeL0qsr_CmC7CnL5Pz0I1aD6rAgLb6odlHNlBboJG7swUD/s1600/48A8742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjPJPM-Hx3FZKsWB00sarJweXmq8Pi7J85v6xCVM6M0J61tXdT-uBVPgx3G742ZTIPOqsLEnBEeMKbsH6FqwfP5UVosL1QyeeL0qsr_CmC7CnL5Pz0I1aD6rAgLb6odlHNlBboJG7swUD/s400/48A8742.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Dinner at Emma's in Tromso, Norway, 5 years ago when we went to our niece's wedding in my mother's birthplace. Everything on our dinner menu was so over the top that I can't even remember what all was there, only that I had never had better food in my life. Fish so fresh you knew it came from the water, 2 blocks away, that very morning. Each item was so specially prepared that the whole dinner was a once in a lifetime thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. My mother's roast, potatoes, carrots and onions, every Sunday of my growing up years, which was baked to perfection as we sat in sunday school and church getting spritually fed. As we came in the door, she was already in the gravy making mode, and putting a salad together for our 'sit down' feast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Norwegian pancakes like my mother made. Morning, noon or night, always wonderful. My brother used to come in later and eat them cold. There were never any left overs that he didn't finish!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Potatiskorv. A Norwegian sausage made from veal, potatoes and onions, hand ground and put into sausage casings and then boiled. She usually made little potatoes with melted butter and parsley to serve with them. It's a good thing I don't know how to make potatiskorv or I would be in big trouble!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Pappadeaux fried shrimp with ceasar salad and on a big splurge day... creme brulee. Every taste is delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to add a #6... every bite of Thanksgiving Day meals. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So... those are mine, what are some of your favorite meals?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have some eggs hard boiling, for lunch later, with a fruit smoothie. Balanced, healthy and good, but not even in the ballpark with the 6 listed above!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S.... Debbie just reminded me that I forgot to include steak and prime rib, and also anything Tex-Mex. Yikes!!</span>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-1007388993501265022015-07-06T08:17:00.002-07:002015-07-08T04:50:01.850-07:00Praying... or worrying?...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How do you know when you are praying... or worrying?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So many times I find that <i>what I am worrying about becomes the prayer that I voice to God</i>. I explain to him how things are, and then ask for his help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those worrying thoughts are usually me, analyzing and problem solving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found this little note my dad wrote - it was in one of his Bibles. Dad jotted down everything, especially when it was important to him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Worrying is not praying.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It is an urgent call to pray!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Worrying centers on the problem,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>praying focuses on the solution."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When my heart and my prayers are focused on Jesus, the answers are in his hands, the safest place to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I am worrying... I am trying to 'fix it'. I have done that more times than I have trusted God right at the beginning of a problem. Yes, he does expect us to use the brains he gave us, but the first step should be asking him for the solution, and then trusting him as I go, praying for him to guide the circumstances. I do that, but too often it is <i>after</i> I've worked it all around and hassled in my mind and heart as to what I should do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like someone said... 'when all else fails, pray'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do find that my thoughts and my prayers are all kind of mixed up together, and I often am praying as I am thinking things through. I am not on my knees, I am running around doing my day. <i>But even those prayers can be worry unless I am trusting God.</i> Praying can sometimes sound like the anxious thoughts that swirl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Focusing on the solution means I am focused on trusting God, even before the solution comes.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>My mind and heart are stilled when I do that, with or without the answers.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>There is always a sense of doing the right thing when I let go of what worries me, and trust that God will handle it. Sometimes the process of getting there is much longer than it should be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Peter 5:7 says "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>1 Peter 5:7 says "</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i>Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." </i>There are so many scriptures that teach this, but the big message for me in this verse is that little word <i>ALL. </i>Like my dad said, after he had studied that word at length... <i>all he could find all to mean was all.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i>It's worth repeating...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Worrying is not praying.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It is an urgent call to pray!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Worrying centers on the problem,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>praying focuses on the solution."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-39493086871301730632015-06-14T12:10:00.000-07:002015-06-14T12:10:58.174-07:00From chicken coops to castles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6o9DM6fHdCU3xJoKxHkLcmQ9Y8C0mTTTNjzFxBqFSe-RjOiYeUUo270a5fTQEEwy-mLP-orr6O0sJdycD9xe3typrrWdZa9DuEG5DmaNkSbZAtwWDU2qsyZjbJNRwjqq8i41Tub72wkn/s1600/7796870924_2bd66e3f64_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6o9DM6fHdCU3xJoKxHkLcmQ9Y8C0mTTTNjzFxBqFSe-RjOiYeUUo270a5fTQEEwy-mLP-orr6O0sJdycD9xe3typrrWdZa9DuEG5DmaNkSbZAtwWDU2qsyZjbJNRwjqq8i41Tub72wkn/s400/7796870924_2bd66e3f64_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's funny the things I think about now, as I look back to our growing up years. I remember lots of it, but some happened even before I was born.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is royalty in my blood! I wrote about it <a href="http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/2010/03/have-i-told-you-i-am-almost-princess.html"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>. This is my castle in the Black Forest area of Germany. :)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0RX3ilKlHIHWuUlJVkoLrfd0J-NderrmWhZPt903RSSEKnnt0h2kITazZCr6a8BOLBWzNbbAoYflPlI1OqWkSl5qNxsfnCIP0CDRyOaRCf5uNWaQ76yN4b9It0V5osHK0ewdbyMPoaTV/s1600/goss+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0RX3ilKlHIHWuUlJVkoLrfd0J-NderrmWhZPt903RSSEKnnt0h2kITazZCr6a8BOLBWzNbbAoYflPlI1OqWkSl5qNxsfnCIP0CDRyOaRCf5uNWaQ76yN4b9It0V5osHK0ewdbyMPoaTV/s400/goss+006.JPG" width="215" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was not the kind of royalty that really means anything though. I would be a princess today if the tradition in my dad's family had continued. <i>It didn't, I'm not. </i>Now it is a castle for tourists. It still bears my dad's family name, although the spelling changed generations ago. My mother was born in Norway, she married dad, a preacher from America, and left a prosperous family in Norway where her dad was the mayor of Tromso and a successful business man, to become a preacher's wife.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's the royal part of my family genes, but there is more...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before I was born, my mom and brother often traveled with dad when he </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">was preaching in other states. On one of those trips, the church where dad preached 'housed' the preacher and his family in what they could afford... it was a former chicken coop behind the main house. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_ksEnj9fIVz5ve0vXiptpJsyIpkDXgvbwe8FB9_YjvuV18N2syoZqSBqEwyp2GHBUsAjNFG1i8N0TiR6dMAoE3N0uRvSN1-oDbqX67e-e3zcODmhQQsOg9MEDLKiBJcac9H9BFIAkRHN/s1600/Henhouse_near_Ganthorpe_-_geograph.org.uk_-_670026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_ksEnj9fIVz5ve0vXiptpJsyIpkDXgvbwe8FB9_YjvuV18N2syoZqSBqEwyp2GHBUsAjNFG1i8N0TiR6dMAoE3N0uRvSN1-oDbqX67e-e3zcODmhQQsOg9MEDLKiBJcac9H9BFIAkRHN/s400/Henhouse_near_Ganthorpe_-_geograph.org.uk_-_670026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mother remembers taking a broom to the dirt 'floor' and sweeping it out, and my brother happily played among the chickens who still gathered there. It's been a great story for our family all these years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, in retrospect, I can see the grace of my parents, the way my mom handled each new "adventure" is such an example to me. I can't imagine spending a night in a chicken coop, and it certainly would not be without grumbling and complaining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though they never had much money, God provided things for our family that many others never got to experience. Taking the Queen Mary to Norway to visit my mother's family, spending summers traveling all around the USA as dad preached, entertaining in our home so many real heroes of the faith, from Corrie Ten Boom to Bill and Vonette Bright, and so many more. Names I now know to be the leaders of their day in the world of Christianity. They were my heroes of the faith. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had a rich childhood, one that I treasure, one that has helped to shape who I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From chicken coops to castles... what a journey in the faith my parents had. What they left for me was their example, in all of it. They had grace in the chicken coop and grace in their castle experiences, and balance to understand that all of it was part of life. I have drawn on their well of wisdom a thousand times in my own life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am reminded that The King of Kings had no place to lay his head. He didn't even own a home. His birth was in a stable. His death was on the cross. And yet... his life was lived with love and grace, and the examples and lessons he has given us are the very things that guide us as we move through life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just as my parents knew, I also know... He is our King, and we are all a part of His family... we are all royalty.</span><br />
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http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-33035258355050859222015-05-26T06:34:00.000-07:002015-05-26T06:34:07.002-07:00Then and now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxWeJzyGRf7QsaNbtKQF8J9T0Ri6P2wRWqJeBqkMPTAp1VbQsNma3T6sGorZC1gwiUrU83ZVS9n9xEGaYrgp5Yk65RQMRABHXdvoeY4JukasK8Wh9S_3fGJTZOpLQJujSn7lCBfqdyK_d/s1600/nsprite.18626034_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxWeJzyGRf7QsaNbtKQF8J9T0Ri6P2wRWqJeBqkMPTAp1VbQsNma3T6sGorZC1gwiUrU83ZVS9n9xEGaYrgp5Yk65RQMRABHXdvoeY4JukasK8Wh9S_3fGJTZOpLQJujSn7lCBfqdyK_d/s400/nsprite.18626034_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I googled my childhood home yesterday, the one we moved to when I was 4 years old, the one my parents paid less than $12,000 for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It last sold for just under ONE MILLION dollars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first thoughts were of my mother, as I looked at the realtors pictures of what the inside looks like now, and saw a huge granite and stainless steel gourmet kitchen. I thought of her and wondered what she would say if she could see it today. It made me sad in a way, sad that she didn't have the latest in high tech beauty all around her, she sure deserved it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right on the heels of those thoughts were... so what? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mother was as happy as a lark in that kitchen. She cooked and baked for her family and so many others, and there was real joy in that room. There was lots of laughing, singing, some squabbling among the kids, and always delicious scents and the promise of good food coming. It was a room filled with love. I only hope that the ones who live there now are as happy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHsSE_KovSc06PaGBdac2r-uvsuGaBidQdnHVr2IpjjzamJdrtsyF_tvRhVD04-bpsKCYmKk2DD9tyJwRzpVWdKHY-N44M3f3isWcN5LMrObX-JSGvHUmA8vam21uIf7Ps0zxCWOBvuX6/s1600/tuesday+may+26+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHsSE_KovSc06PaGBdac2r-uvsuGaBidQdnHVr2IpjjzamJdrtsyF_tvRhVD04-bpsKCYmKk2DD9tyJwRzpVWdKHY-N44M3f3isWcN5LMrObX-JSGvHUmA8vam21uIf7Ps0zxCWOBvuX6/s400/tuesday+may+26+002.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All 5 of us shared one small bathroom. The bathrooms they have created look like spas. We had a huge backyard. There are now french doors leading to multiple decks with hot tub and all the landscaping surrounding it. It's a showplace!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My dad and brother took such good care of our backyard. We had flowers everywhere, and blooming fruit trees year around. We buried at least 2 guinea pigs named Squeaky 1 and Squeaky 2 in that yard. We hid the soft red 'spanking stick' from my dad, back there by the squeakey's. He found it and dug it right back up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm left with all the memories we made in that home, and a few walls that I still recognize. But oh my goodness... that small home has filled my heart for all of these years since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">270 South Parkwood may be a California dream bungalow, but never did it shine better than when OUR family lived there.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-38459326125537706422015-05-18T06:25:00.003-07:002015-05-19T10:58:34.328-07:00Drinking fountains and sharing faith...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFbbyX4BbMyhG0YGZthO5X96e_ooaDGrLzYQSt4PRfs2meRcI9iKBdmvJPUKBUrr66jRsEO0yNrTj-EQaCX3mkJtFWWbqb7OX65iFYjoj_gOIqmHmNcQvYZUXnDpG0INS3s3VsEVkWbZ8/s1600/download+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFbbyX4BbMyhG0YGZthO5X96e_ooaDGrLzYQSt4PRfs2meRcI9iKBdmvJPUKBUrr66jRsEO0yNrTj-EQaCX3mkJtFWWbqb7OX65iFYjoj_gOIqmHmNcQvYZUXnDpG0INS3s3VsEVkWbZ8/s320/download+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Listening to Greg Laurie in the car as I was running errands this week, I had to laugh at his description of how, during his high school years, as a brand new christian, he wanted to tell everyone in any way he could, about Jesus, and how his life was changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He stood by the drinking fountain in his high school and every time a kid came by and took a drink, Greg said... <i>"If you drink that water, you will thirst again"...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He said each kid looked at him like he was crazy, and quickly went on their way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Greg said... <i>"It worked for Jesus, but it didn't work for me."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He began to learn about the Holy Spirit preparing each heart to hear about Jesus, and he began to pray, and approach things in a new way, as he moved forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember as a kid thinking I HAVE to share about Jesus and get people saved... one day in grade school, I was in the restroom and "Joyce" was also there. I thought... I will tell her and make sure she 'gets it'. After much coaxing from me, she prayed, but I don't know to this day if she 'got it', or was just anxious to get out of there and away from me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I've also done the opposite, said nothing when I should have spoken in a situation. Of the 2, that extreme makes me feel the worst.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No wonder Jesus instructed us to seek Him first, to ask Him for openings and guidance and the right words for each situation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We will never be wise enough to know a persons heart. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But Jesus does. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I think about how fast this life is going by, and that unless someone knows Jesus personally, they are lost... it makes me bolder to share the good news. I am not a drinking fountain stalker, but I do want to be ready for each situation that God places me in, and my desire to share the hope that the world is seeking is much more on the front burner of my heart than ever before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><i>We don't need the world, but the world needs what we have.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even as I write this, I am thinking... wouldn't it be wonderful to see Joyce in heaven one day.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-17602698730758627642015-05-12T09:52:00.000-07:002015-05-12T14:41:43.560-07:00This was a big one!...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO6VB0PcVt6VGyzg_KB3N-IeAjVMPYnCkQvxFMPtNj6qkV1JJmoQu5Vb9CjECdxlOsssl3Qrg2CC6RUwSy2M7WKWqXsKXed5ycplOEWRFi3ey_k11qGNax2-K3wykgSXMEyL9RuMfyuPh/s1600/ss-150511-texas-tornado-016.nbcnews-ux-1360-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO6VB0PcVt6VGyzg_KB3N-IeAjVMPYnCkQvxFMPtNj6qkV1JJmoQu5Vb9CjECdxlOsssl3Qrg2CC6RUwSy2M7WKWqXsKXed5ycplOEWRFi3ey_k11qGNax2-K3wykgSXMEyL9RuMfyuPh/s400/ss-150511-texas-tornado-016.nbcnews-ux-1360-900.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday was Mother's Day. Our plan was to go to East Texas, have lunch and spend the afternoon with our son Tommy and his family. The day began with storms, more were expected, so we decided to stay home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Sunday night, with less than a one minute warning, a level 3 tornado hit the small town of Van, Texas. It struck down BEHIND the area of the new building our son had recently built and occupied for their business, about a half block from them. It went on to destroy about one third of that small town. You have probably seen the footage on the news. One of their employees lost his home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I was in Van was when Tommy and Dedra were married in the beautiful Baptist church where right now they are helping to care for the people of Van who lost their homes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tommy and Dedra live in Lindale, east of Van about 15 minutes. They are fine, all of Dedra's family is fine, many of them live in Van, and we are so thankful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is such a vivid reminder of how quickly life can change, as it has for those who lost lives, homes, and all that they owned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are already many heart warming stories being told of the way people have gathered to pitch in and help this community. The schools have been seriously damaged, and not one person living in Van is not connected to someone who has been touched by this storm. They told us on the news last night not to bring any more supplies right now, they have been flooding into Van from everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We will continue to pray for all who have been touched by this, both in Van and all around our country. I will also continue to thank God that he heard our prayers and Tommy's business was spared.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-59766080055226627492015-04-30T05:26:00.000-07:002015-04-30T05:26:01.238-07:00Rodney's bush...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPC7PwEt8nWommM8oZh1zvrV5S2rwywkvMy10K_m3Nzbu6MhHtJfP3ZfKzWTO4UVYJ4QiFBsfb0KbS7Q3IAMdGjMfbLW09s7mB3_LA7cUyJlgpVXXCRLdwtaAA_84T3st7GZJSRBnXCj-/s1600/20140511_082923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPC7PwEt8nWommM8oZh1zvrV5S2rwywkvMy10K_m3Nzbu6MhHtJfP3ZfKzWTO4UVYJ4QiFBsfb0KbS7Q3IAMdGjMfbLW09s7mB3_LA7cUyJlgpVXXCRLdwtaAA_84T3st7GZJSRBnXCj-/s1600/20140511_082923.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This rose bush belongs to my friend Rhonda's mother. We all call it 'Rodney's bush'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her son (Rhonda's younger brother) died some years ago. On Mother's Day each year, this bush blooms with at least one pink rose, usually before anything else is blooming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year Rhonda's dad died, and this year on Mother's Day every bush in the garden was green with leaves, but Rodney's bush was loaded with these pink roses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As Rhonda says... "they are in cahoots up there!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn't it just like God to send this mom pink roses right under her window, on Mother's Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is no scripture that says this is so, but knowing the heart of God... why not? It's one of those special heartwarming things that He does for us, knowing that we need something extra to see that He is with us, even in the roses He sends our way. In the rose, He reminds us that He understands and loves us.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-51256797812706125702015-04-23T12:01:00.001-07:002015-04-23T12:01:45.773-07:00What I have learned about carrots...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJfEN6T7pIXrdgOu8IGiyVc_96Ut0LULk3A-pb4lePEzCK89RSODdARzypLnzO3BmsCmhBTIsUBaTd9SwdfsL8H4mgXqez1_9OmlSBnSTFPfhUUyiwBRh5-eHY3-ivsA3qAcbg9l-ChV3/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJfEN6T7pIXrdgOu8IGiyVc_96Ut0LULk3A-pb4lePEzCK89RSODdARzypLnzO3BmsCmhBTIsUBaTd9SwdfsL8H4mgXqez1_9OmlSBnSTFPfhUUyiwBRh5-eHY3-ivsA3qAcbg9l-ChV3/s1600/download.jpg" height="394" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is what I know about carrots...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember visiting farms as we were growing up. They always had carrots growing in the ground. It was fun for me, as a kid, to walk up and down those rows and see the green sprouts above the ground and know that a carrot was coming. I planted some seeds of my own, but as the tiny sprigs of green appeared, I gently pulled them up to see if there was a carrot on the end...<i> long before the carrot had a chance to become one.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are many carrots being dangled in front of us in this day and age, most of those carrots turn out to be nothing but a handful of weeds, or at the most, a HINT of a carrot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A carrot is a good thing. It is healthy, and good for us, an important part of the vegetable food group. However... I am certain that they are referring to a fully grown carrot, not one that was pulled before it was fully grown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carrots and life??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many times I have interrupted or hurried a process, (pulled the carrot too soon) that God was doing in my life, by becoming impatient before his lesson was complete.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There have also been a few times that I grabbed the carrot dangling in front of me. It was so tempting. Example: the face cream that promised instant results, wrinkles GONE within minutes. There are probably many more, but you get the point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I am thinking about carrots, I have to say that for all the years of our marriage, I have cooked and roasted carrots, with meatloaf, roast beef, etc. I always serve a nice portion on my husbands plate. It has never changed, when the meal is over, the carrots have been pushed to the edge of his plate, completely intact. He doesn't say anything and neither do I. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One more random thought... my husband loves fresh carrots. Sometimes I forget to stick the fresh ones on his plate, so I am trying to do more of that. He always eats them all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am 'growing into carrots'... both on my plate and in my life. Like all other things, carrots are best used in the way God meant them to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See... it is possible to take one word, any word, and when you think about it for awhile, there is always more to it than just the carrot.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-16288315682791310822015-04-16T14:23:00.001-07:002015-04-16T18:43:55.409-07:00He put my window sticker on crooked!...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0sAusYM3_Q8RyUFXsoqsK4bEAKXat76f2s1hHdXnh5CrGaUOBpSyeKlzL-hqYQDbD9gkupF4MJxblxVDXkt-oYTmh8OMaZwZ-QqnKbf2S3V4rDSVB6LN8Iyo6OsvipY-Hi8oOcsaNcdX/s1600/image-1965677922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0sAusYM3_Q8RyUFXsoqsK4bEAKXat76f2s1hHdXnh5CrGaUOBpSyeKlzL-hqYQDbD9gkupF4MJxblxVDXkt-oYTmh8OMaZwZ-QqnKbf2S3V4rDSVB6LN8Iyo6OsvipY-Hi8oOcsaNcdX/s1600/image-1965677922.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He did... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The state inspection sticker and the sticker for our community gate, were applied at an angle yesterday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It all began with a small piece of gravel on the freeway which hit the windshield and made a tiny hole. That hole began to grow, until there was a crack all the way across. Somehow, the cost of the windshield replacement was a little less harsh since the whole window was cracked now, and not just a tiny hole. I kind of felt like I got my money's worth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the job was finished, I got in the car to run errands, and <i>I knew... immediately</i>... that it would never be okay. I could have raised my eyes a little higher and not noticed, but no... the angle was there, it was never going to change, not until the next inspection sticker was due, and it could be replaced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could hardly wait to get home... those 2 stickers got carefully peeled back one more time, and now... they are straight and all is well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a little bit like seeing a small area of my life that is <i>'off'</i>... the more I think on it, the more I know it has to go. Funny how these little life things can remind us of other things...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so much happier when I go ahead and <i>DO</i> the things that I know need adjusting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God didn't have anything to do with the rock that hit my window, <i>but he has everything to do with my awareness of my own crooked stickers, and with the knowledge that all of them can be straightened. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's what he does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ----------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Above photo isn't my car, but the stickers look like mine did.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-29345906803682784512015-03-11T12:25:00.003-07:002015-04-16T14:30:57.714-07:00Selfie...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKFO6MbIF2XrwaOXUZjdhxrOPWBvl7Kmndr7UMOG_xaELs_60n6BhayxLf32ldmqzz5qM_QeGD0mlUHAW5cOpfTXt8ktcpPEcqHFbYz4Jc_PV3DeswWd0Oii6VUzhyphenhyphenGn6IBUSl6ehhrmN/s1600/me+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKFO6MbIF2XrwaOXUZjdhxrOPWBvl7Kmndr7UMOG_xaELs_60n6BhayxLf32ldmqzz5qM_QeGD0mlUHAW5cOpfTXt8ktcpPEcqHFbYz4Jc_PV3DeswWd0Oii6VUzhyphenhyphenGn6IBUSl6ehhrmN/s1600/me+003.JPG" height="400" width="356" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what a selfie looks like with my dinosaur camera! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I forgot to smile, and the whole thing makes me want to laugh. I still have my old fold up cell phone and my kids think I'm crazy to not update. I'm going to, but just haven't made the leap into learning the new i phone technology. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I took this picture for 2 reasons... neither of them worked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to show my sister my hair and the longer layers, which we had discussed a few minutes earlier on the phone... it doesn't even show, and I wanted to show Debbie at Heart Choices my 'Younique" eyelashes I bought through her, and they don't show either!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love longer layers, and I love my new eyelashes, but what I got from this seflie isn't a good reflection of either one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is my point?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Probably what we THINK we look like when we are trying to make an impression, may NOT be what the rest of the world sees when they look at us!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This picture was made by standing in front of our dining room mirror and snapping my camera kind of blindly. My camera doesn't do selfies. I thought I had a pleasant look on my face, instead I look kind of grim and my eyes look closed when actually I was just trying to aim my camera.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is no real sermon in this blog, unless it would be to make sure you are smiling when you take a selfie, or... when you are trying to make a good impression!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think both my sister and Debbie are forgiving, but the rest of the world would probably prefer a cheerful smile!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85782/bitsandpieces/dc021ca1d3acaa8820aa998d033f7bdb.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-12951378015640525682015-02-26T16:43:00.002-08:002015-02-27T06:55:48.394-08:00Thoughts on trophy's...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdaOvKjwK4om78O4wbCV76mlHmEL7y0Uu1zmbFJHr9FulyXYZRK4Tql2IDy2ycGvV_4dur1JkIsiLI8mOmgWEjGTDPMBddftilAqiPPFZzL8yHmCIYUbpni51c3UyMKvEyyrcaItjnJUS/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdaOvKjwK4om78O4wbCV76mlHmEL7y0Uu1zmbFJHr9FulyXYZRK4Tql2IDy2ycGvV_4dur1JkIsiLI8mOmgWEjGTDPMBddftilAqiPPFZzL8yHmCIYUbpni51c3UyMKvEyyrcaItjnJUS/s1600/download.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sat and watched the Oscar's on Sunday night. I am not a huge movie buff, but I like the dresses and it's fun to see who is wearing what, even to see how 'old' they are looking.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a crowd that is new to me for the most part. I didn't even know who many of them were. I DID know Julie Andrews and it was such fun to see her, she looks great after all these years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were some really good moments. I was shocked to see Lady Gaga singing songs from The Sound of Music. She did an amazing job, she has a gifted voice, I never knew that. I also was moved to tears by John Legend's Glory performance. It was beautiful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it was all over... I said to myself... "where is God in this?"...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God wasn't visible at all... political and social statements were made without apology, but I don't think I heard God mentioned one time. I know that there are Christians in Hollywood, but this whole night did not reflect that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It made me sad. It was such a reflection of how many in this life are 'winning' trophys and awards that will be gone so soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eternity seems like an afterthought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember years ago reading Catherine Marshall's book "Beyond Ourselves". The first words of the book said...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"The search for God begins at the point of need."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also was reminded that the lost of this world, in Hollywood and everywhere else, are exactly the ones that Jesus gave his life for... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I was one of them... until I knew who Jesus was, and accepted him as my saviour... I was as lost as anyone.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tullian Tchividjian </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">said it so well, in talking about the cross...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Jesus came and did all of that for bad people, because bad people are all there is."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a whole world out there who doesn't know Jesus yet. I can slide into complacency way too easily. The world around is demanding. Life can distract us and dim the real purpose and goal...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I want those who don't know that God is real, to find him, to know the peace of an eternity that is coming, and to find the true purpose and meaning in this life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I am convicted and challenged in my own walk, to be alive and aware of opportunities all around me, and to share that hope... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The clock of life is ticking...</i></span><br />
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http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-29149053131707813392015-01-09T13:13:00.000-08:002015-01-09T13:13:31.264-08:00Read this if you might be a 'black & white' person...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizct0Esr-ik0Dfffc6jzztcQYDBTSHT4GfzQUM_BBPyYMuU8melqxd36xTpiG6X57-RS73-jd2KCECwN-Ng1ZZNgx97DTBDTOc3pz5lSdmNtxbImP8XNQThMD-oVSdYJ6lxTKHpt8rMDFc/s1600/manageress-admonishing-junior-employee-waving-her-finger-air-stern-expression-white-44152661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizct0Esr-ik0Dfffc6jzztcQYDBTSHT4GfzQUM_BBPyYMuU8melqxd36xTpiG6X57-RS73-jd2KCECwN-Ng1ZZNgx97DTBDTOc3pz5lSdmNtxbImP8XNQThMD-oVSdYJ6lxTKHpt8rMDFc/s1600/manageress-admonishing-junior-employee-waving-her-finger-air-stern-expression-white-44152661.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I tend to be one...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a 'black or white' person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am sometimes guilty of making a strong sweeping decision and declaring it boldly! On MONDAY, this diet is going to swing into full speed ahead, only to find that by Wednesday, (or Tuesday) there have already been stumbles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">or...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am NEVER going to do or say THAT again, or...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You get the idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My daughter sent this from her devotional the other day, thoughts by Paul Tripp, which I hope he doesn't mind me quoting. It is pretty awesome...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He was writing on New Years Resolutions, but the same principle applies to ALL of our big self made declarations of change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Can be I honest with you? I think your New Year’s resolution isn’t going to
be as effective as you hope it will, if it works at all.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Is change important? Absolutely. Is commitment essential? Of course. Is
improving your lifestyle a wise decision? Without a doubt. So I don’t want to
discourage you from writing or keeping a New Year’s resolution, but I do want to
challenge the way you think about biblical change.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>You see, Christianity – which has the gospel of Jesus Christ at the center –
simply doesn’t rest its hope in big, dramatic moments of change. The fact of the
matter is this: <b>the transforming work of grace operates in 10,000 little
moments more than it does in a series of two or three life-altering
events.</b></i></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In other words, the character and quality of your life won’t be defined by
two or three life-changing moments. No, the character and quality of your life
will be defined by the 10,000 little decisions, desires, words, and actions you
make every day.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>How you can you be a better you in 2015? Confess in 10,000 little moments of
conviction. Be courageous in 10,000 little moments of faith. Obey in 10,000
little moments of decisions. Choose the kingdom over God over the kingdom of
self in 10,000 little moments of desire.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>You don’t need a big resolution to change your life, because your life isn’t
established in big moments. Your life is established in 10,000 little moments,
and Jesus Christ is present and active in all those moments. In these small,
seemingly insignificant moments, he’s delivering every redemptive promise he has
made to you. In these 10,000 little moments, the Lord is working to rescue you
from you and transform you into his likeness.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>By sovereign grace, God places you in 10,000 little moments that are designed
to take you beyond your character, wisdom, and grace so that you'll seek the
help and hope that can only be found in him. In a lifelong process of change, he
is undoing you and rebuilding you again - exactly what each one of us needs!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those words really hit my heart, for me. I think you might feel the same. It's one step at a time, one thought, one decision, not one big declaration of all that we are GOING to do. Our slates are wiped clean when we accept Him, but the ongoing process includes 10,000 choices on our part, every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love that! God's grace is there for every one of the 10,000 and more.</span><br />
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(image courtesty of Google)http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09254831447887637714noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569182682068612485.post-22178497706964736702015-01-01T10:13:00.002-08:002015-01-01T10:13:45.418-08:003 blocks from the Rose Parade...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vtq6ceGC_BTtwqc_w8eUsRUgO_smBo5PxiodW-XwStL-6QWNg6SBFFNUPsKxMTRGzcyLF_Pt52XCsDyS9Yuo9JeID1vjO39hE6a7jy2YoVXx4qgUWlUcB-58DBNNm0tSFMZzhB2dxx25/s1600/rp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vtq6ceGC_BTtwqc_w8eUsRUgO_smBo5PxiodW-XwStL-6QWNg6SBFFNUPsKxMTRGzcyLF_Pt52XCsDyS9Yuo9JeID1vjO39hE6a7jy2YoVXx4qgUWlUcB-58DBNNm0tSFMZzhB2dxx25/s1600/rp.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's where I grew up... 3 blocks south of the Pasadena Rose Parade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been sitting here this morning watching the parade, and it takes me right back to South Parkwood Avenue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every year my dad would take 2 ladders, and the 3 of us kids brought a long piece of wood. We went right up those 3 blocks and got one of the 'good seats', just a few rows back. Dad set the ladders up and put the long board between them That was our seat, no one blocked our view. It was perfect!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A side thought... many many years later, after dad had died, as we went through their things, there was that original ladder, with many splotches of paint colors applied through the years, and a little shabby, but the same ladder that went to the parade every year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During high school, I worked on the floats a few days before the parade. They were constructed in huge ice cold warehouses, to make sure the flowers stayed fresh. The flowers were flown in from all over the world and they were absolutely amazing! Each float was carefully put together and then each flower petal glued on to become part of the design, the only rule was it had to be made from growing plants, petals, seeds, grasses. We shivered all through the nights as we put those beauties together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">New Years Eve in Pasadena was so much fun! Our church youth group parked and walked the long main street of Colorado Blvd., as the crowds began to gather 2-3 days before New Years Day. By New Years Eve, they had set up little kerosene heaters, sleeping bags and blankets to keep warm, as they 'camped out' right on the sidewalk. We walked up and down the street, talking to people, dashing into one of the restaurants for a quick burger, and having the time of our lives. Van de Kamp's, Gwinn's, Scarantino's, all of them were open as people came in an out all through the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally we headed for home, only to take our walk up the street with dad early the next morning, we were tired and excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It never disappointed. Even this morning, I am enjoying the floats and marching bands, just like so many years ago...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year to all of you!</span><br />
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