tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64697481528316297442024-03-13T12:42:30.216-04:00Memoirs of a Devout JourneyAlisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-68158914493076853502011-07-11T08:41:00.002-04:002011-07-11T08:41:45.498-04:00Great Book about Depression and SuicideLife, In Spite of Me is a book that draws you in with description and raw emotions. It is filled with miracles, faith, hope, and trusting in God. The book is also about how Kristen Anderson turned her life toward God and helping others through her tragic experiences. My favorite quote in the book was this: "It helps me so much to know that even when I don't have plans for myself, I can trust that God has plans for me. Even when I don't have hope, he has hope for me. And even when I don't see a future for myself, he does. I just have to have faith.". This book is a true inside look into the life of someone who has dealt with depression and suicide. Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-66071530079741075852011-02-21T03:50:00.000-05:002011-02-21T03:50:47.717-05:00New PerspectiveHaving been a Christian my entire life, sometimes I have gotten apathetic to who Jesus really is. The first thing that hit me after reading the first couple chapters in the book <u>Radical</u> by David Platt, is that I really didn't know Him as well as I had thought. I haven't spent much time really taking in who He is, and this book helped me really dig into Scripture to see more. My behaviors and thoughts were also challenged. I realized how I often distort who God is. By the second chapter, I was humbled and convicted. I realized how ignorant I am sometimes about what the Bible really says, and instead perceive God how I think He is. <br />
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I loved the stories of other countries and missionaries scattered throughout the book. They were very empowering and brought the book to life. I traveled out of my little Americanized world into the worlds of others.<br />
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This book is very thought provoking, but doesn't leave you with just that, he challenges you to take action. On the practical side, the author lists what you can do to be radical and reach out to others with the Gospel. Great book, it will change the way you think and behave, and open your eyes to a radical way of living.<br />
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(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.)Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-40502220134676476072011-01-01T04:55:00.000-05:002011-01-01T04:55:54.196-05:00Hope in the Midst of Broken DreamsI chose the book Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb to review for Blogging for Books. The title of this book caught my eye because I'm dealing with some broken dreams in my own life. The book deals with finding true hope and joy even when your dreams are shattered and life is difficult. I found the book to be intensely real and honest. Crabb wrote of thoughts that I have often had, but was afraid to admit. I appreciated his picture of imperfect Christians that have struggles, doubts, and raw emotions. It was a relief to not feel so alone in my thoughts while dealing with the brokenness in my life. In the beginning of the book, I admit that I felt more discouraged and angry as Crabb went through all the feelings and thoughts that people struggle with when dreams are broken. The book was pretty intense and had much to ponder. As I read on and the story of Ruth unfolded I saw hope and God's love. This book gave me a Biblical perspective that challenged my skewed and incorrect ways of thinking towards my desires, dreams, and passions. Crabb got me to think outside the box and the "typical Christian". I realized many things about myself, the Christian community, suffering, pain, hope, and denial. I really liked the book and found it to be very helpful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is broken or wants to understand suffering and brokenness. It will change your perspective on how you view your life, circumstances and God.<br />
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(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.)Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-11147599317296281132010-07-22T07:19:00.000-04:002010-07-22T07:19:45.395-04:00Ways to Connect with GodOur<a href="http://www.wardchurch.org/arena/default.aspx?page=3497&item=33"> church</a> had a sermon on the book Sacred Pathways by Thomas. It shared that there are many ways to worship and connect with God and that we all tend to 1-2 ways. None are better then another and we shouldn't compare ourselves to each other. I never realized how many different ways in the Bible there are that show how people connected with God. In the book he explains each way and the strengths and weaknesses of each way. He then goes on to give examples of people from the Bible for each pathway. Jesus used all the ways to connect with God. <br />
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The pathways are:<br />
1. Nature<br />
2. Intellectual<br />
3. Serving<br />
4. Activist<br />
5. Symbols<br />
6. Contemplative<br />
7. Worship<br />
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I would say that I'm a combination of intellectual, serving and contemplative. What are you?Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-61419114773778501112010-06-05T05:31:00.001-04:002010-06-05T05:37:03.620-04:00Have Your Way<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/oaO73cx4pn4/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oaO73cx4pn4&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oaO73cx4pn4&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br />
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I give up ,God, trying to fix my life, being angry at you, my dreams, not trusting you. I confess my pride, my control, my past, my idols, I give you my life and hand it to you. My life is so broken. Only you know the future. Only you will get me through. I'm heartbroken and I cry out to you, God. I surrender and... want you to have your way, not mine. I give you all that I am clinging to and realize that you will have your way with it all and my plan is nothing compared to yours. I'm ready to accept whatever that means, even if it means letting go of what I want the most, even though I don't want to.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-78910831565875247232010-06-05T05:13:00.001-04:002010-06-05T05:16:55.458-04:00Been thinking a lot today about my direction in life and where I've been....I've lost sight of God's direction for my life. I've been tossing and turning unable to decide what is going on. There are no goals, no direction, no plan that stands out to me. My life has been consumed with pleasing others and following after what I want in my life and what I think I must have. I've been chasing it and I'm exhausted. I've been fixing things and picking up the pieces of the messes I've made and the messes others have made in my life. It is one catastrophe after another. I don't even know what God wants for my life anymore because I'm too busy fixing, fitting God's plan into mine, making sure everyone is pleased and things will go smoothly. I don't want to fail. I want control of my life and everyone and everything that happens in it. I'm afraid that if I let go, that everything will come crashing down. But, instead, my life has come crashing down and I've neglected to trust God with my life and everyone in it. I have tried hard to trust him, but when it came down to it, I really didn't and have a hard time even now trusting him. I'm scared to death. I'm scared of the future, of my life now, of how things turned out. So, what is God's plan for me? What does he want me to do. I've sinned by worrying and not trusting in him. By relying on my own prideful self. Obviously, my plan doesn't compare to God's at all. I've treated another as a God. I've spent life clinging, pleasing, relying, trusting, investing my time, thinking my life revolved around this person. In doing so, I've neglected God and his place as #1 and I've not let the person in my life live their own life. Picking up the pieces of my OWN life now and taking responsibility for my OWN life is much more difficult to me. It feels very alone to me, but also freeing, knowing that I don't have to carry that burden and was never meant to. I can make my own decisions and live my life the way that God wants me to live it and I don't have to make anyone fit into that plan. I also don't have to pick up the pieces or take responsibility for what is not mine. I am free to make choices and free to trust God with everyone and everything in my life. There will be things beyond my control, there will be bad things in my life, there will be things that are not right, and that is <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">ok</span>. I don't need to solve it. I can decide what I want to do, but not take control of what others what to do and be <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">ok</span> with that. I want to be happy, I want to be free, and I want to please God. Sometimes I feel lonely and powerless, but that is because I'm losing focus that God is with me.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-68138582176123324712010-03-15T08:50:00.000-04:002010-03-15T08:50:54.032-04:00George Mueller's Strategy for Showing God :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1531_George_Muellers_Strategy_for_Showing_God/">George Mueller's Strategy for Showing God :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library</a><br />
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George Mueller was a prayer warrior and a great example to us all.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-9827859191619450602010-03-09T16:39:00.002-05:002010-04-01T04:08:34.641-04:00How to be Best Friends with your Spouse This is a <a href="http://smalley.cc/is-your-spouse-your-best-friend">helpful article</a>.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-74082060328708754332010-03-09T08:58:00.000-05:002010-03-09T08:58:28.331-05:00SerenityWhen I'm feeling helpless, fearful, and anxious, I can find serenity in God's promises.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-45226731491903225662010-03-05T13:04:00.003-05:002010-03-09T09:05:12.531-05:00I went to see Nick Vujicic!Wow, was <a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/index.php">Nick's story</a> inspiring! He truely has a message of hope and purpose! God's hope and purpose. I wanted to write the things that struck me most about his message and some verses and articles from his website.<br />
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<div></div>Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)<br />
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/passionate-articles-details.php?articlesID=17">The Goal of God's Love</a><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/inspired-articles-details.php?articlesID=25">Find Peace</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/inspired-articles-details.php?articlesID=26">Passion for God</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/passionate-articles-details.php?articlesID=22">Facing Giants</a></li>
<li>I love this: <a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/passionate-articles-details.php?articlesID=18">What you and God can do</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/inspired-articles-details.php?articlesID=8">Nick's Testimony</a></li>
</ul>Here are some things that I remember from his speaking:<br />
<ul><li>Trust God with everything in your life.</li>
<li>Don't believe lies, but believe the truths of God and how he sees us.</li>
<li>Place our joy and happiness in God. If we expect happiness from anything or anyone other than God, we will be let down.</li>
<li>See your blessings and what you have, rather than what you don't have.</li>
<li>Focus on God and who he is.</li>
<li>Be in love with God and really worship Him</li>
<li>Pray about everything and depend on God, instead of having fear and worry </li>
<li>We are works in progress and under construction. Christians are not perfect and we will have ups and downs.</li>
</ul>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-64412296559944801782010-02-27T01:14:00.000-05:002010-02-27T01:14:29.449-05:00DeliveranceI was really blessed today while reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-Praying%C2%AE-Through-Bible/dp/0736923586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267250627&sr=8-1">The Power of Praying Through the Bible</a>. I just wanted to blog some notes from the chapter on Deliverance. We need deliverance and Jesus paid the price for us when he died on the cross. God wants us to be free from anything that seperates us from Him. We can so often feel trapped and controlled by unhealthy relationships, resentment, struggles, sin, discouragement, depression, and so on.<br />
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Psalm 50:15 (New International Version)<br />
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15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."<br />
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<strong>How we can find deliverance:</strong><br />
<ul><li>Pray-Psalm 72:12 (NIV) For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.</li>
<li>Have someone pray for you- Psalm 34:17 (NIV) The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.</li>
<li>Read the Bible-John 8:32 (New International Version) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."</li>
<li>Spend time praising and worshiping God and being with Him</li>
</ul>Life is a process and so is deliverance. We aren't perfect, so we need help daily from the Lord.<br />
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<strong>Judges 3:9, 15(NIV)</strong><br />
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But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. 15 Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.<br />
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<strong>Matthew 6:13</strong> (New International Version)<br />
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And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-15458661333654776542010-02-27T01:02:00.000-05:002010-02-27T01:02:31.337-05:00ExpectationsSo often I set expectations way beyond my reach or other's reach. Life is not in my control and neither is anyone else. I am responsible for me and how I feel, my behaviors, my thoughts, and so on. I often expect way too much of others and want to control and have expectations over their behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Sometimes these expectations are intentional, and other times they are not. Every person is an individual and is responsible for their own behaviors, thoughts and feelings. I'm not responsible for them and I can't possibly know what is best for them. That is quite self-righteous of me to even begin to think that I know best for someone else. I need to stop expecting what I think is right and start accepting others for who they are. Then I won't be disappointed or unsettled and I won't be smothering or putting pressure on others. I must focus on my own self and the many improvements that God is trying to show me in my own life.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-33566289590445436892010-02-27T00:53:00.000-05:002010-02-27T00:53:17.798-05:00Being Vulnerable"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.… The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers … of love is Hell." C.S. Lewis<br />
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Trust is believing, upholding, and supporting. Sometimes it is a risk. We can't control a person into being trustworthy, they will show it through their actions and honesty. God is the only person that can be trusted fully. We are to put our trust in him, not in men. Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-72306348414729526422010-02-24T16:45:00.003-05:002010-02-24T16:52:53.793-05:00Running Away...or Running the RaceI run away literally when my problems get difficult. I get in my car and drive around or I get away from the problem or person in another way. I never run away forever, but remove myself for a bit from the situation. Sometimes, I'd like to just run away from life altogether and just start life over. It seems easier to run away from problems and try to avoid than to deal with them. I know that I can't do this, but it does seem tempting to quit things and just run away from them when my situation seems too overwhelming. Starting new would still bring my troubles with me, and probably add more, as I would have caused problems by avoiding. Starting over wouldn't have changed my attitude, my discipline, my walk with God, my perception on life. There are times that I feel stuck in my relationships and circumstances and don't know what to do. I want better for myself and those around me. I try to control my situation the best I can, but these efforts end up making things more difficult in my life. Ultimately I'm not in control.<br />
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<em><strong>Genesis 16:7-9</strong> (New International Version)</em><br />
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<em>7 The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" </em><br />
<em>"I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered. </em><br />
<em>9 Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her."</em><br />
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God is the only one in control of my situation. Instead of trying to run away or solve my problems myself, I need to turn to God and give him my pain, emotions, and situation. He wants to help me. He wants me to have hope. It is best to realize that I need to face my problems, realize that my life is unmanageable, and that God is the only one that has the help and fulfillment that I need. This world is full of hardship, and it won't go away, just by changing situations. Instead of running away, I need to run the race that has a clear path.<br />
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<em><strong>Hebrews 12:1-3</strong> (New International Version)</em><br />
<em>1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.</em><br />
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Wow, this verse is so amazing! I was praying about my life and my issues in this area, and God led me to both of these verses within 5 minutes of each other. It is amazing how clear God's path is for all of us and how he truely wants to help us.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-61265667706816094512010-02-24T09:35:00.001-05:002010-02-24T10:10:06.466-05:00God is answering prayer again in my life...Just a reminder to myself that God is still answering prayers in my life. I had some major prayers about some things and he answered those specifically and right away. It is amazing how his hand works in my life. Again, this was nothing that I did, it was all my laying everything at his feet and him doing everything. I didn't fix any of these things, God did it all!!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-78061390386963174122010-02-22T16:54:00.002-05:002010-02-24T09:31:32.582-05:00Acts of Kindness and ServiceA friend on another <a href="http://onemomshow.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-difference-monday.html">blog</a> posted about their experience with this! I thought it was a wonderful idea. I went searching and found this <a href="http://www.helpothers.org/ideas.php">link</a> full of ideas for acts of kindness and service! I love it. I think doing this once a week would be doable and would help my family focus on others instead of ourselves.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-69510038692523952402010-02-18T08:02:00.001-05:002010-02-18T13:37:41.356-05:00Learn to Celebrate Your Differences , Christian Marriage<a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/marriage/11599400/">Learn to Celebrate Your Differences , Christian Marriage</a>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-68303749792719762802010-02-18T08:01:00.001-05:002010-02-18T13:37:53.665-05:00Mystery and Romance: Does a Christian Marriage Need Them?, Christian Marriage<a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/marriage/11626140/">Mystery and Romance: Does a Christian Marriage Need Them?, Christian Marriage</a>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-59627572540385125892010-02-18T07:59:00.001-05:002010-02-18T13:38:06.270-05:00Are You Building Respect in Your Relationships?, Christian Women, Spiritual Life<a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/women/11626282/">Are You Building Respect in Your Relationships?, Christian Women, Spiritual Life</a>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-83758036958496415282010-02-15T11:31:00.005-05:002010-02-18T13:38:35.910-05:00Communication, Conflict, Needs...<a href="http://gosmalley.com/explaining-your-needs-and-desires-to-your-husband">http://gosmalley.com/explaining-your-needs-and-desires-to-your-husband</a><br /><br />Share needs and feelings instead of critizing, making your husband feel like a failure or blaming.<br /><br /><strong>Verses:</strong><br />Proverbs 25:24<br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<br /><br />Proverbs 21:19<br />Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.<br /><br />Proverbs 19:13<br />A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.<br /><br />Proverbs 27:15<br />A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;<br /><br /><a href="http://gosmalley.com/choices-that-impact-your-marriage">http://gosmalley.com/choices-that-impact-your-marriage</a><br /><br />I am responsible for my own choices. I'm not a victim or controlled by my marriage or my circumstances. I have choices in my life. I must have personal responsibility instead of trying to change my husband and unconditional love to accept my husband for who he is. Intimacy, happiness, growth, communication, and so on are the harvest of these two choices. Happiness rests in my hands, not my husbands. If I want an exciting and happy marriage, then I need to do my part. I need to love unconditionally, take responsibility, and not try to change my husband.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-27008391308204401842010-02-15T11:06:00.005-05:002010-02-18T13:38:54.872-05:00What love is...<strong>1 Corintians 13:4-7 </strong><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.<br /><br /><br />Wow, I have a lot to work on. I tend to be the opposite of love most of the time.<br /><br /><strong>Love:</strong><br />patient<br />kind<br />not jealous<br />not boastful<br />not proud<br />not rude<br />not self-seeking<br />not easily angered<br />doesn't hold wrongs<br />doesn't delight in evil<br />rejoices with the truth<br />protects<br />trusts<br />hopes<br />perseveresAlisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-91057961672473119482010-02-11T10:34:00.017-05:002010-02-18T13:39:32.602-05:00Love and MarriageSince it will soon be Valentine's day, I thought that I'd include some links and articles that will help with growth in these areas.<br /><br /><strong>There are a ton of Valentine's day ideas here:</strong><br />http://www.the-generous-wife.com/share-the-wealth/valentines-day-ideas/<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/finances/1310528/">Valentine's Day on a Dime, Christian Finance, Debt, Money Management</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/1376968/">Model Christ's Love with Your Family this Valentine's Day,</a><br /><br />http://simplemom.net/8-ways-to-make-valentines-day-more-meaningful-for-your-family/<br /><br />http://simplekids.net/more-than-words/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SimpleKids+%28Simple+Kids%29<br /><br /><img style="WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; VISIBILITY: hidden" border="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjU5ODM2MjAzNjQmcHQ9MTI2NTk4MzYyNzM*NSZwPTQxMTg2MSZkPSZnPTEmbz1kNmNjYjE1MTQyYWE*MjU*ODI*/ZjAxNTlkMmYxNzU3OCZvZj*w.gif" width="0" height="0" /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2613397/simple_diy_valentines_day_games_for.html"><b>Simple DIY Valentine's Day Games for Ages 6 and Up</b></a><br />Find out how to easily create 3 party games to add fun and meaning to Valentine's Day this year.<br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2613397/simple_diy_valentines_day_games_for.html">Read More</a><br /><strong>Top Romantic Movies</strong><br /><br />http://gosmalley.com/the-top-25-romantic-movies-from-the-50s-60s-70s-80s-and-90s<br /><br />Some of my other favs are:<br />A Walk to Remember<br />Fireproof<br />The Notebook<br />French Kiss<br />Far and Away<br />9 Months<br />Lady and the Tramp<br />Sleepless in Seattle<br />Sweet Home Alabama<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Articles and Verses:</strong><br />However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/women/11625591/">When Your Heart Longs to be Romanced, Christian Women, Spiritual Life</a><br /><br />John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/marriage/11625392/">Inexpensive Ways to Honor Your Spouse this Valentine's Day, Christian Marriage</a><br /><br />http://www.realrelationships.com<br />(get a free download of 7 secrets to marriage)<br /><br /><a style="MARGIN: 12px auto 6px; DISPLAY: block; FONT: 14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none" title="View Love Every Day on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/26484217/Love-Every-Day">Love Every Day</a><object style="OUTLINE-STYLE: none; OUTLINE-COLOR: invert; OUTLINE-WIDTH: medium" id="doc_274079844763753" name="doc_274079844763753" data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" width="100%" height="600" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><br /> <embed id="doc_274079844763753" name="doc_274079844763753" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=26484217&access_key=key-pvgd0ztudxzh346obgu&page=1&viewMode=slideshow" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="600" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object><br /><br /><a style="MARGIN: 12px auto 6px; DISPLAY: block; FONT: 14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none" title="View Marriage Bible Quotes on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/15640296/Marriage-Bible-Quotes">Marriage Bible Quotes</a><object style="OUTLINE-STYLE: none; OUTLINE-COLOR: invert; OUTLINE-WIDTH: medium" id="doc_214237604425196" name="doc_214237604425196" data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" width="100%" height="600" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><br /> <embed id="doc_214237604425196" name="doc_214237604425196" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=15640296&access_key=key-1dhaj6dxw9s5uhtqdt2q&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="600" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-12648312954753262012010-02-10T04:29:00.005-05:002010-02-18T13:40:15.138-05:00Seeing Myself Through God's EyesThere are many lies that we tell ourselves. We can overinflate ourselves, being vain and proud. This is a lie. We can hate ourselves, being discouraged and negative about ourselves. This is a lie as well. Both views are centered on ourselves. We often try to live up to our own or others expectations, and we will always fall short. We must replace lies with Truth. God's word tells us who we really are. God loves us because he wants to, not because we live up to his expectations. Even when everyone else rejects us, God still loves us and values us.<br /><br />Romans 12:3 (New International Version)<br />3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.<br /><br /><br />Matthew 10:31 (New International Version)<br />31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<br /><br />Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)<br />10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.<br /><br />Romans 8:31-39 (New International Version)<br />31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:<br />"For your sake we face death all day long;<br />we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[a] 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<br /><br />Sources recommended: Defeating Depression by Vernick (my notes are from this book), Look Through God Colored Glasses by Ortberg, The Bible<br /><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P5AkNqLuVgY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P5AkNqLuVgY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-29347638029393177652010-02-09T04:41:00.006-05:002010-02-10T05:25:34.763-05:00God's WillI've read and listened to a couple of great resources on this matter recently. <br /><br />The first is by a Christian author and counselor Leslie Vernick:<br />http://leslievernick.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-can-i-know-gods-will.html<br /><br />The second is by a Christian author and friend Shawn Lantz:<br /><embed src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=16b195a4e0ab02371123" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="tangle" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6469748152831629744.post-60980029445750181392010-02-09T04:36:00.004-05:002010-02-18T13:40:38.387-05:00Praying for my Children<strong>These are things that stuck out to me after reading The Power of a Praing Parent by Omartian.</strong><br /><br />*Make a prayer list for each child to pray specifically for them.<br /><br />*Release my kids to God. They are not mine but His. God will take better care of them than I ever can. He will protect them and guide me to be the parent that he wants me to be.<br /><br />Matthew 7:11 (New International Version)<br />11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!<br /><br />*Pray for protection for your children. God will protect and look out for them. Often times I worry and my kids and life in general. I need not worry, as I can trust in the Lord, for he keeps his promises!<br /><br />Psalm 112:7 (New International Version)<br />He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388813290851834920noreply@blogger.com0