tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67059312174616654312024-03-20T22:24:07.701-04:00A Life of GratitudeGratitude became a big part of my life during 2011. I challenged myself to think of at least one thing every day that I was thankful for. It wasn't always easy but I did it and I am forever changed because of it. I was forced to focus on God's blessings even when they were hard to see. I have decided to make gratitude a part of my daily life for years to come. I pray this blog will continue to be a blessing to all who read it.Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.comBlogger1541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-2869734756126915982024-03-19T10:35:00.001-04:002024-03-19T10:35:24.053-04:00The Goal of Prayer<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!” 1 Kings 18:36-39 (NLT)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCGhNg87K1XPOD8Dc41AKk-iDAvPQIaivlRGnXj8Qp6xQyYLrdZYrB5BQA3ipTw0b2TUNlvkIm0I_HhK8EYtcIZK4R2raxBnxsdH4HP_rM4OF725KDeFrXG9DTNsf07S7UBdXYDnsdmtrG5AMj94cxb2VvUoj0FaTb4i7UoWco-0rpLUjJ4f-pbvB2TM/s1080/The%20fire%20Elijah%20requested%20was%20not%20the%20goal%20of%20his%20prayer,%20it%20was%20just%20the%20means%20to%20a%20greater%20end.%20Elijah%20wanted%20God%20to%20prove%20Himself%20so%20that%20He%20alone%20could%20be%20glorified!%20That%20is%20a%20crucial%20reminder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCGhNg87K1XPOD8Dc41AKk-iDAvPQIaivlRGnXj8Qp6xQyYLrdZYrB5BQA3ipTw0b2TUNlvkIm0I_HhK8EYtcIZK4R2raxBnxsdH4HP_rM4OF725KDeFrXG9DTNsf07S7UBdXYDnsdmtrG5AMj94cxb2VvUoj0FaTb4i7UoWco-0rpLUjJ4f-pbvB2TM/w225-h225/The%20fire%20Elijah%20requested%20was%20not%20the%20goal%20of%20his%20prayer,%20it%20was%20just%20the%20means%20to%20a%20greater%20end.%20Elijah%20wanted%20God%20to%20prove%20Himself%20so%20that%20He%20alone%20could%20be%20glorified!%20That%20is%20a%20crucial%20reminder.png" width="225" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After three years of drought and famine (that Elijiah had warned King Ahab of), God instructed Elijiah to return to the king and tell him that rain would soon come. During his conversation with King Ahab, Elijiah challenged the king to a dual of sorts, between God and the gods that King Ahab and Jezebel had been encouraging the people to worship.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Imagine being Elijah, stepping forward, setting yourself apart from crowds Ba'al worshippers and half-hearted God-followers, and calling upon God to send fire from heaven to burn up a sacrifice that was drenched in water. He had instructed the Ba'al worshippers and then observed them shout, dance, sing, cut themselves, and beg their god all day long to send fire but nothing happened. Now, it was his turn. All by himself, with no fancy language or ritualistic activities, he simply asked the Lord to prove who He was the God of Israel. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 Kings 18:36-27 (NLT) says, "At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elijah's bold faith and certainty in the God of Israel had come from years of experiencing God's provision while living by a brook in Cherith, witnessing the ravens bring him food twice a day and then in Zarephath where a poor widow would provide for him. He observed while God caused an almost empty jar of oil never go dry and a container of flour be continuously refilled. God even used Elijah to raise a young boy from the dead.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elijah knew he didn't need to sing an impressive song, do a dance, harm himself physically, or beg God to come through for him. He knew that God simply required a trusting heart that had the right motivation. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The fire Elijah requested was not the goal of his prayer, it was just the means to a greater end. Elijah wanted God to prove Himself so that He alone could be glorified! That is a crucial reminder for us! Our prayers needn't be lengthy or perfect or even laced with extravagant words. Prayer is always about our heart posture. Even when we're bringing the most basic of needs to the Father, our prayers need to be focused on Him, not ourselves or our needs. We never need to panic or beg because our God knows what we need before we even ask. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The ultimate goal of our prayers should always be for God to be exalted, for our relationship with Him to grow and be solidified, and for other's hearts to turn towards Him. Even in the most difficult situations, we should desire those things above all else. That doesn't come naturally, but just like Elijah, the more we witness God come through for us and those around us, we will grow in confidence and become more and more willing to set ourselves apart, ask God to prove Himself so that others might turn toward Him or begin trusting Him more.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Considering that, we may need to examine our prayer lives, and in some cases, restructure our requests so that they are focused on the all-powerful God and not ourselves, come from a heart that trust in God's faithfulness, and ask our Heavenly Father to ultimately do whatever will make Himself known to others. May our prayers reveal a heart that desires for God to be exalted!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-64344286583256573662024-03-06T11:21:00.002-05:002024-03-06T11:21:44.654-05:00Planning, Preparing, Priorities<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever considered all the things people plan for in life? We create budgets and lists to help us keep track of our ever-busy lives. We consult financial planners to help us plan and prepare for the future. We go to the doctor to help us stay healthy and proactively prevent illnesses. We put a lot of effort into planning events like weddings and birthday parties. Some people hire travel agents to plan every detail of their vacations. Many try numerous diets, pay for gym memberships, plan out all their meals, and even hire personal trainers and dieticians to get or stay thin. Parents plan and prepare countless activities for their children and some begin saving money for their child's college education before he or she is even born. We research, plan, and spend years being equipped for careers. We plan and strive to be successful, well-known, and esteemed. We purchase various types of insurance so we will be prepared for possible future accidents, health issues, and even death. This list could go on and on.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If we each created a list of what we spend time and money planning for, that same list would give us a pretty clear picture of what we view as important and valuable in life. If it's our desire to create the best possible future for ourselves and our families, we will plan, save, and prepare. If we want to feel good and live a long life, we will prioritize our health and be prepared for protentional health concerns. If we want to be successful and prosperous, we will work hard and be intentional with goal setting and climbing the ladder. If we believe it's important for our children to go to college but don't want them to graduate in a sea of debt, we will begin saving and preparing early. If we value the idea of enjoying our retirement in our later years, we will have to plan and save accordingly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All of those things are important, and no one is at fault for planning and being prepared, but the hard truth is, none of us are promised tomorrow. I can't help but wonder if we are as intentional with the one thing that truly matters, as we are with those things that aren't guaranteed and often don't matter much in the end. Regardless of where any of us are in life --young or old, rich or poor, successful or failing --our walk with Christ needs to be a priority. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, I ask myself, and encourage you to ask yourself, does my life prove that my relationship with God is important to me? Do I plan and prepare so that I am able to spend time with God each day? Do I make drawing near to God a priority? Do I go to church or attend a Bible study just because I know I should, or do I embrace those opportunities and allow God to teach me through them? Do I worship and pray throughout the day? Do I tithe and give generously with a grateful heart? Do I allow time and space to hear the voice of my Father? Do I show gratitude for all the ways God has blessed me or do I find reasons to be negative and complain? Do I surrender my life, my family, my money, my time, and my future to my Heavenly Father? Do I share the hope only found in Jesus with people I encounter?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us that God is searching the whole earth for those that are committed to Him. And those He finds, He strengthens. If God is having to search for those who are committed to Him, there must be many people who call themselves Christians and go through the motions, but their lives do not prove that they value their relationship with Christ as much as they value their future, their health, or their success. This verse also reminds me that my commitment to God is noticed by Him and He will strengthen me because of it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Planning and preparing for all the things listed above is wise and worthwhile, but we mustn't forget that those things are not what's most important. I pray that we will place our relationship with God at the top of our list of priorities and that we will be committed to growing and becoming more like Jesus. That won't happen by accident. As God searches the whole earth for those who are fully devoted to Him, may our commitment to Him be noticed and may we be strengthened by Him. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-18210483404234282452024-02-27T12:35:00.006-05:002024-02-27T12:35:43.571-05:00Helping the Blind See<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My kids enjoy watching a well-known You Tuber who
has a generous heart and often helps people around the world. In one of his videos,
he helped 100 blind people see again.
The surgeon he partnered with said half of all the blindness in the world
could be cured with a ten-minute surgery. Isn’t that sad? In just ten minutes,
half of the people dealing with blindness could see clearly. Financial concerns
or lack of access to this type of surgery is what prevents so many people from
seeing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I heard that statistic, I immediately thought
of the millions of people in our world who are spiritually blind. Within just
minutes, those who have been blinded by worldly things could have their eyes opened
and they would be able to see clearly. So, what prevents so many people from
being healed of spiritu</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">al blindness?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says that these people have
been blinded by Satan and they do not believe in Jesus. Without belief in Jesus,
they are unable to see and understand the gospel. So how do we help people see
clearly? I believe the answer is found in the two verses right before these. I like
the way The Message words 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%;">Since God has so generously let us in
on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job
just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and
play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t
twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say
out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see
and judge for themselves in the presence of God.</span>” <span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The famous You Tuber said the main reason he chose
to do that video is because blindness can take away parts of someone’s life.
The same is true for those who are spiritually blind. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today, I encourage you to pray for those in your
life who simply cannot see the truth. It’s not typically because they don’t
want to see the truth, it’s mostly likely because they are spiritually blind,
and the truth is veiled to them. Pray for the scales to fall from their eyes
and then choose to be a light in the darkness they see. Don’t hide your faith
or manipulate it so others aren’t offended. Don’t wear masks or play games. Simply
live your life for the Lord, with boldness and authenticity, so that the blind
might get a glimpse of Jesus through you. </span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-61690645196880502732024-02-13T09:54:00.000-05:002024-02-13T09:54:00.773-05:00Our Ultimate Source of Provision and Satisfaction<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 1 Kings 17:4 (ESV)</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1 Kings chapter 17, we are introduced to Elijah, an unlikely prophet of God. It's here that we witness normal guy from the hills of Gilead standing in front of King Ahab, boldly declaring that there would be no dew or rain for several years. Can you imagine the faith it would take to tell an infamously evil king that there would be no rain for years? Elijah's faith was strong, and his obedience is inspiring. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After speaking with the king, God tells Elijah to go into hiding beside a brook called, Cherith. He tells Elijah that he will drink from the brook and eat food brought by ravens. This promise is an interesting one because brooks typically only have water when the rain comes. During a drought, most brooks dry up. So, where would the water come from? And ravens delivering food; that sounds outlandish! Ravens are scavengers, always searching for food and even fighting other animals for it. It seems highly unlikely that a raven would willingly deliver bread and meat to Elijah twice a day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elijah has already said it would be years until the rain comes, so even though he is fully aware that he will be hiding out beside a little, potentially dried up brook with provisions brought by a notoriously greedy bird, he is obedient. I can't help but wonder what was going through Elijah's mind. Was he 100% sure that God would provide in such a strange way or was he just scared of King Ahab so hiding sounded like a good idea? When he arrived at the secluded area, was he afraid that he had heard God wrong? Did he doubt the promise of God? Was he fearful that he would die there? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's a question that must be asked --- why would God orchestrate such an odd, seemingly impossible way to sustain Elijah? I believe it's because God wanted Elijah to fully grasp that God Himself was his provision. The unreliable resources Elijah was surrounded by wouldn't be what sustained Elijah. It would be God alone.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The same is true for us. When we are in need physically, emotionally, spiritually, or financially, God wants us to see that He alone is what we need. Maybe He allows the things around us to be lacking or our situations to seem impossible so we're able to fully recognize God as our ultimate source of provision and satisfaction. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We will only witness God come through for us in miraculous ways when we believe the miraculous is necessary. As humans with continual basic needs, we see the miraculous as most necessary when the people, things, and resources are unreliable. When we come to the end of what we can make happen, like a brook that's drying up, that's when our eyes will be open enough to see God replenishing the brook and providing for us in incredible, miraculous ways. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter what you face today or how bleak your circumstances may feel, I encourage you to remind yourself often that God is your ultimate source of provision and satisfaction. Open your eyes and watch as God comes through for you in ways only He can!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-52188462476652088072024-01-31T15:18:00.004-05:002024-01-31T15:25:13.978-05:00The Tamarisk Tree<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> "</b><span style="background-color: white;">Abraham planted a tamarisk tree</span><span style="background-color: white;"> in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> the Eternal God." Genesis 21:33</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I came across this verse this morning and it caught my attention because I love when the Bible gives specific details. The writer could have just said Abraham planted a tree, but instead we're told the exact type of tree he planted. So, I had to learn more about this tree. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #363436;"> A tamarisk tree </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111;">is known to thrive in very harsh environments, but it remains steadfast. It is a large tree, often reaching 20 feet tall with branches that are widespread. It provides shade that is much cooler than other trees, and since it is an evergreen, its protection isn't dependent on the season. During Biblical times the leaves and bark of this type of tree were often used for medicinal purposes. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363436;">Its leaves also collect moisture in the air during the night, so when the sun beats down on the tree during the day, the droplets evaporate and produce a cooling system. The tree also produces edible seeds that can be ground into flour. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363436;">The tamarisk tree </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363436;">grows very slowly. In fact, it only grows about one inch per year and takes approximately 400 years to be fully grown.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #363436;">Genesis 21 tells us that Abraham had recently been blessed with a child in his old age, given a water supply for his people, and had just signed peace treaty at Beersheba. As was common in the Old Testament, the tree was symbolically planted to mark the covenant between the Everlasting God and Abraham's people. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363436; text-align: left;">Abraham's obedience in planting this tree also represented </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #363436; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">hope and expectation</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363436; text-align: left;">, knowing that this would benefit future generations.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #363436;">When I dug a little deeper, I realized the Israelites, Abraham's descendants, traveled through Beersheba after being rescued from Egypt. As those weary people headed toward the Promised Land, they were probably in desperate need of all that the tamarisk tree provides. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #363436; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Those descendants traveled through that area approximately 400 years after Abraham planted the tree, which is exactly how long it takes for the tamarisk tree to reach maturity. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #363436;">Abraham probably knew he would never rest in the shade of the fully grown tree, but his obedience in planting those seeds would produce "fruit" that his descendants would reap for generations to come. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are all symbolically planting things in this life. The things we do, say, act on, or ignore, all have an impact on those who come after us, whether we realize it or not. There are many negative "trees" that we plant which impact future generations such as alcohol and drug abuse, sexual immorality, financial devastation, domestic violence, etc. There are also many good "trees" we can plant, such as teaching our children about Jesus, caring for and meeting the needs of others, being generous, sharing the gospel, being financially responsible, and loving those around us.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> God wanted Abraham to plant this specific type of tree for a reason, but in order for that to happen, Abraham had to listen to the Father and obey Him. When we are listening and obeying God, there's no telling what amazing things He might do through us for future generations. And even though we may not see the fruit of what we plant, it's still vital that we plant the seeds. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What kind of "trees" are you planting today? Be encouraged, if we listen and obey, God will help us plant exactly the right types of trees!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-52657222076375843722024-01-26T10:03:00.006-05:002024-01-26T10:03:50.156-05:00Honest Thomas<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday, my oldest son began talking about Thomas from the Bible. He said, "Everyone refers to him as doubting Thomas. I bet he's up there like, 'come on guys, is that really what is remembered about me.'"</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” John 20:24-25</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My son's comment made me think more about Thomas and I feel sort of bad for the reputation he has received because of his doubt. The more I ponder it, the more I wonder if Thomas was just the honest one. I can't imagine that everyone else just believed without any doubts. His friends were telling him they had seen Jesus, even though everyone knew he was dead and in a tomb. They believed because they had seen Jesus with their own eyes. It's also easy for us to believe it because we have read the whole story. But if we really put ourselves in Thomas' shoes, I bet we would have some doubts, too. Some of the other disciples probably did as well; they just weren't willing to speak up about it. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dylan and I talked more about it, and we decided that going forward, Thomas should be referred to as, "Honest Thomas." </span></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%;">John 20:26-28 says, "Eight days later the
disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors
were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be
with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look
at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any
longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him,
“You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without
seeing me.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's
amazing to me that Jesus miraculously appeared even though the doors were locked and after
greeting the entire group, He went straight to Thomas and silenced his
doubts by having Thomas touch his scars. He didn't scold Thomas for doubting.
He simply did what was needed to help Thomas believe. Jesus told Thomas not to
be faithless any longer and said that those who believe without seeing will be
blessed, but He didn't shame Thomas for doubting. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is
an important point for us to consider. We often feel guilty or ashamed when we
have questions or experience doubt, but this story shows that even the
disciples knew what it felt like to doubt, and they had been with Jesus,
observing miracle after miracle, hearing listen after lesson. I believe this
story is in the Bible, not to make those who doubt feel inferior, but instead
to help us understand that doubt and disbelief are a part of the human experience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When
doubt creeps in or we feel like we're losing our faith, it’s okay to bring
those feelings to the Father. Just like Jesus acknowledged Thomas' doubt and
did what was needed to help him believe, our God is not bothered or surprised
by our emotions. He desires for us to bring it all to Him; the good, the bad,
and the ugly. And He is faithful to help us learn to trust and believe, even when we
cannot see. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm
proud of Thomas for being honest about the doubt he felt, and I believe he
deserves a new nickname! The next time you feel doubt or fear or worry,
consider how Jesus helped Thomas believe and ask God to help you be a little
more like, "Honest Thomas."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-54091415836811800732024-01-15T11:24:00.005-05:002024-01-15T11:41:14.162-05:00Just Like the Rest of Us!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday, while my family ate lunch at a restaurant, we noticed that the Styrofoam cups had various Bible verse references printed on them. The kids called out the verses and I used the Bible app to look them up and read them aloud. Allison called out 1 Kings 1:1, so I looked it up and read it to myself. I laughed because I knew that couldn't be one the verses on the cups. The verse says, "<span style="background-color: white;">King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm." </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I read it to the kids, and we all laughed. Allison admitted she just said a random verse. We talked about the people we know that are always cold, wear multiple layers of clothing, and always need blankets. We also discussed why verses like these are in the Bible. Yes, they're funny, but maybe they were included to help us understand that the people of the Bible were normal human beings, just like the rest of us. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some other verses in the Bible expose this truth as well: </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">Moses had a speech </span>impediment. (Exodus 4:10)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elijah dealt with depression even though he had just witnessed a miracle of God. (1 Kings 19: 4-5)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elisha was bullied for being bald. (2 Kings 2:23)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peter and the other disciples were exhausted. (Luke 9:32)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zacchaeus was very short. (Luke 19:3)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Timothy dealt with a stomach condition. (1 Timothy 5:23)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's tempting to read the Bible and believe those people are simply characters in a story. They can seem larger than life, with no doubts or problems. I believe God had verses like 1 Kings 1:1 inserted in the Bible so that readers will know that even King David, a man after God's own heart, got cold and needed a blanket. He included so many verses and stories to prove that the people of the Bible are just normal human beings, ones that we can relate to. Even with their issues and physical limitations, God used them! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;">In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul shares his own difficulty, or the thorn in his side, as it's referred to. He asks God three times to remove the thorn, but verse 9 </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;">says, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">"Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether you are exhausted, depressed, being treated poorly, desperate to see Jesus, suffer from chronic physical illnesses, or can't seem to get warm, God can still use you! Regardless of your age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mental state, or physical condition, when God sees a willing heart, nothing can keep Him from working in and through you.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As you read the Bible, let it be a reminder that if God can use them, He can use you!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-79460137018853273352023-12-30T12:05:00.001-05:002023-12-30T12:10:48.837-05:00Healed and Whole<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMNv88yHSjNtfqv4-3ivxV_8GFORoFUxtZNEwzLfqXGLle4YdTzRKGOGdL7mG-WcS6QQtbgg7jV0p-XlTvf2C4RNiqu7H6UkQUrSU6FbAoqz3ov66nG_1bKaUROmgmcvidxYIuljsT6jar_Eizuo7th6wtMKyTsbLkyeQQBwwECAej_DkMI0JO4fD0KI/s1400/Brown%20Beige%20Artistic%20Lonely%20Man%20Walking%20Painting%20Album%20Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMNv88yHSjNtfqv4-3ivxV_8GFORoFUxtZNEwzLfqXGLle4YdTzRKGOGdL7mG-WcS6QQtbgg7jV0p-XlTvf2C4RNiqu7H6UkQUrSU6FbAoqz3ov66nG_1bKaUROmgmcvidxYIuljsT6jar_Eizuo7th6wtMKyTsbLkyeQQBwwECAej_DkMI0JO4fD0KI/w174-h174/Brown%20Beige%20Artistic%20Lonely%20Man%20Walking%20Painting%20Album%20Cover.png" width="174" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we say so long to 2023, I bet most of us are hoping for a better, more prosperous, more healthy, more peaceful year ahead. One way to move forward is to seek healing from the various things we've suffered through, whether those things happened recently or years ago. I truly believe God wants each of us to be healed</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> physically, emotionally, and spiritually. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">That doesn't always involve a miraculous healing. In fact, most of the time it involves a lot of hard work and support from others. I believe that is because we must walk through the fire to be refined by. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="text"><b>John 17: 11-19 (TPT) </b></span><span class="text">Jesus traveled on toward Jerusalem and passed through the border
region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one village, ten men
approached him, but they kept their distance, for they were lepers. They
shouted to him, “Mighty Lord, our wonderful Master! Won’t you have mercy on
us <i>and heal us</i>?” When Jesus stopped to look at them, he spoke these
words: </span><span class="woj">“Go to be examined by the Jewish
priests.”</span><span class="text"> They set off, and they were
healed while walking along the way. <b><sup> </sup></b>One of
them, <i>a foreigner from Samaria</i>, when he discovered that he was
completely healed, turned back to find Jesus, shouting out joyous praises and
glorifying God. When he found Jesus, he fell down at his feet and thanked
him over and over, saying to him, “You are the Messiah.” This man was a
Samaritan. </span><span class="woj">“So where are the other nine?”</span><span class="text"> Jesus asked. </span><span class="woj">“Weren’t there ten who were healed? They all refused to return to
give thanks and give glory to God except you, a foreigner from Samaria?” </span><span class="text">Then Jesus said to the healed man lying at his
feet, </span><span class="woj">“Arise and go. It was your faith
that brought you salvation and healing.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus wanted to heal these men, but he required them to "go to be examined by the Jewish priests." That would have been a terrifying and difficult thing to do since they were considered unclean. They had to walk in obedience toward that difficult situation for the healing to occur. And because they did as Jesus told them, we're told all 10 were physically healed.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It seems terribly ungrateful for only one man out
of ten to return and say “thank you” to Jesus for healing them of leprosy,
especially since leprosy was painful, caused disfiguration, and anyone
suffering from it would be shunned by their communities. Not only were these
men healed physically by Jesus that day, but their daily lives would also have
improved greatly. They should have been so grateful!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: yellow; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">These
verses do a great job of exposing the <u>difference</u> between healed and whole. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All ten lepers were healed physically after obeying Jesus' command to go to be examined. But the one
who returned to say thank you, was also whole. Verse 19 says, “Arise and go. It
was your faith that brought you salvation and healing.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="background: yellow; line-height: 107%;">Gratitude
</span></u><span style="background: yellow; line-height: 107%;">was the only difference.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: yellow; line-height: 107%;">If you desire to be healed and whole in 2024, gratitude is vital.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We must remember that God’s love and grace
changes everything for us. No matter what life throws at us, that truth
doesn’t change. </span>To be healed and whole, we must live in a place of
continual thankfulness, serving and loving the Lord regardless of the trials we
face.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: yellow; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are never healed by our <u>own</u> merits, and we often must walk through the fire to reach that healing. But remembering the generosity of our Father and
how far He has brought us, will allow us to be healed and whole.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">May 2024 be one full of healing, wholeness, peace, and gratitude for you and your family! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-66306358118288463192023-12-24T20:51:00.001-05:002023-12-24T20:51:31.914-05:00Rest Beside the Weary Road and Hear the Angels Sing<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">During our Christmas Eve service today, we sang "It came Upon a Midnight Clear." It's a very familiar Christmas song, one I've heard many times, but I'm not sure I've never thought much about what the lyrics say. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">I was really blown away by the third verse which says,</span></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">"O ye beneath life's crushing load,</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Whose forms are bending low,</span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;">Who toil along the climbing <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222;">way,</span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;">With painful steps and slow;</div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;">Look now, for glad and golden <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222;">hours.</span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;">Come swiftly on the wing;</div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;">Oh rest beside the weary road</div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;">And hear the angels sing."</div></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe you can relate to feeling crushed beneath life's load, painfully and slowly toiling and climbing. I know I can. It's that last sentence that gets me though. "Oh, rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing." The song reminds us that yes, life is hard, and our load is often heavy, but now is the time to rest beside the weary road we're traveling and pause long enough to hear the angels sing. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Typically, my family has event after event to prepare for and attend for Christmas but this year, because of illnesses and various circumstances, our plans have been postponed to later next week. It's been different but also special. For the first time I can remember, I have not been hurrying around or busy with Christmas tasks. Instead, I have had time to just be with my family and focus on what this season is really about. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All of the celebrations are wonderful, and I truly enjoy each one, but this year, I am getting a taste of what I believe the shepherds experienced. These men were extremely hard workers who spent most of their time taking care of sheep. They were viewed as the lowest in society and most-likely underappreciated. They were probably smelly, dirty, and exhausted. They knew the weight of a difficult life, just like so many of us do. But one night, a host of angels appeared to these men and gave them the most amazing news ever. The angels could have appeared to anyone, but the shepherds were chosen, proving that the news of the Messiah was for everyone, no one was excluded.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I like to consider how they may have felt when the angels appeared. It must have been terrifying to see those magnificent beings pop out of nowhere into the night sky. In that moment, I'm sure they stopped what they were doing, rested along the road, and listened to the angels as they sang, <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #141414; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased!”</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This Christmas, it worked out for me to rest along my weary road, listen and worship, and ponder what the gift of Jesus means for me and my family. His birth brought hope, peace, joy, and love to a world who so desperately needed it and still does. I hope you'll join me in intentionally resting on whatever road you are traveling, and I pray that you are intimately reminded of God's greatest gift to us all. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Merry Christmas!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-86354670269312360562023-12-18T10:32:00.003-05:002023-12-18T10:32:29.603-05:00The Best Possible Influence our Children<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last night I took my six-year-old daughter to the movie theater. On the way there she said excitedly, "Mom, guess what I want to be when I grow up!" After I tried to guess, she responded, "I want to be just like you!" Her answer nearly made my heart explode! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTztECg5tznOYn4IpEnGRlXdlbDH-rpBsAKSWWJWbKsUVDOO9sHmCRRFtp6MRq7P6MPI53w3YXh7pf_QKl31PekxhQxMVNUMLkmR3wryrHjLFhZpaXWq51I7xBhETy98azbmWtpNyUfDrjem4fzr3EOqP8Wely8pUPi8pz-jMuSTm1XeN517JQc1UTrv0/s2048/404123946_1370532290499523_1054277139390705456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="2048" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTztECg5tznOYn4IpEnGRlXdlbDH-rpBsAKSWWJWbKsUVDOO9sHmCRRFtp6MRq7P6MPI53w3YXh7pf_QKl31PekxhQxMVNUMLkmR3wryrHjLFhZpaXWq51I7xBhETy98azbmWtpNyUfDrjem4fzr3EOqP8Wely8pUPi8pz-jMuSTm1XeN517JQc1UTrv0/w206-h134/404123946_1370532290499523_1054277139390705456_n.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we watched the trailers before the film, I realized she was sitting just like me. I captured the moment with a photo because I know she won't always feel that way. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been thinking a lot about what my girl wants to be when she grows up. Even though it made my day to hear her say that it also caused anxiety and dread to rise up within me as I thought about the influence parents have on their children.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are so many things about me that I hope she never replicates. Things like my poor self-image, my inclination toward people-pleasing, the guilt I feel when I need to rest or take a break, my desperate attempts to feel loved and the poor choices that resulted, my tendency to be impatient, and my habit of allowing others to treat me poorly, and the inability to see the good things about myself.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I thought about this, Father God reminded me that I do not have to be a perfect woman or mother to have a beautiful influence on my children. My honesty, transparency, and willingness to be "real" with them will teach them far more than my attempts to be perfect.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">Isaiah 54:13 says, "All your children shall be taught by the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">, and great shall be the peace of your children."</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since God promises to teach my children, I need to focus on being who God created me to be, being honest about my flaws, and spending time praying over my babies. Bringing my daughter to the feet of the Father will allow me to influence her in ways I never could otherwise.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I pray she will always see the beauty within herself and understand that her worth comes from the One who created her. I pray she will not hate herself when she makes mistakes but will show herself the same grace she shows others. I pray she will seek the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength and when she feels herself pulling away from Him, I pray she will never doubt His willingness to welcome her back into His arms. I pray she will respect herself and never accept being mistreated by others. I pray she will love others even when she doesn't agree with them, but never allow them to drag her down. I pray God will give her the desires of her heart and the joy she is filled with will spill out onto those around her. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The responsibility we have as parents can feel overwhelming at times but thankfully, God promises to lead and guide our children, and He can be trusted because He is a good, good Father. Pointing our children to Jesus and praying over them is the best possible influence we can have on them. </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-12579503128726290532023-12-11T11:36:00.000-05:002023-12-11T11:36:00.352-05:00He is With Us in Our Mess!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dg1ZGFCfzuWnxBUnZ-EKsTm21mnNxJqjtO7U-_dZQ32vi6jK_T4q6oHBGgStv_3RUZ7Q6KROhl9BbEvwD1BhUV44pPtoG1VNvOtb4qoq_njhdj2ghLT_HQfVW1mxlksLe3jfKazYLFTOmT-8BdUU03sSSIxfxP53JkA1nKM5zWK4CUJqIakj0aSVETM/s1600/20171128_190908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dg1ZGFCfzuWnxBUnZ-EKsTm21mnNxJqjtO7U-_dZQ32vi6jK_T4q6oHBGgStv_3RUZ7Q6KROhl9BbEvwD1BhUV44pPtoG1VNvOtb4qoq_njhdj2ghLT_HQfVW1mxlksLe3jfKazYLFTOmT-8BdUU03sSSIxfxP53JkA1nKM5zWK4CUJqIakj0aSVETM/s320/20171128_190908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #757575;">This
morning I saw this photo and touched my heart. This is a picture of one of my
favorite Christmas decorations, a nativity by Willow Tree. This specific set up
was designed by my son, Tyson, when he was just three years old. I know a lot
of people would say I probably shouldn't let play my children play with such an
expensive nativity scene, but it’s very important to me that my children don’t
view Jesus or faith as something that is “hands-off.” I don't ever want them to
feel like the story of Jesus' birth is something they can't engage with. So, I’ve
let all four of my children play with my expensive nativity scene and I love
watching them interact with it! </span></span><span style="color: #757575; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #757575;">Six
years ago, when Tyson created this masterpiece, he was playing with the set and
talking in his quiet little saying something about the animals coming to see
the baby Jesus. For a while the angel and Jesus were hanging out in the stable
together but this is the way he left it the scene, in a scattered mess.
The OCD part of me immediately wanted to put it back the way it’s
"supposed" to be, but something told me to leave it and really take
it in for a moment. So, I did, and I took a picture of it.</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #757575;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I
looked at this photo this morning, I asked God, "what do you want me to
see here?" And this verse immediately popped into my mind....</span></span><span style="color: #757575; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #757575;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #757575;">“I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” </span></span><span style="color: #757575; font-family: verdana;">John 16:33</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #757575;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: #757575;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">WOW. </span></span><span style="color: #757575; font-family: verdana;">Everything in that photo is a chaotic mess. Except for Mary
and Jesus. There they are, right in the middle of the chaos, sitting perfectly
with the stars shining brightly behind them.</span><span style="color: #757575; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: white; color: #757575;">As I look at Tyson's handiwork, I am overcome with
gratitude. Jesus came right in the middle of all the craziness and trouble in
our world. He didn't have to, but He wanted to. He left Heaven and lived in
this terrible place for 33 years and then gave His life so that we could be in
Heaven with Him one day. In this world, we will have trouble, but HE has
overcome the world! Thank you, Jesus!</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #757575;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am
grateful for the Christmas season; it helps me refocus on the greatest gift of
all! I'm also thankful for the nudge the Holy Spirit gave me, to truly take in
the nativity scene instead of just "fixing" it. What a sweet blessing
it is to have the Holy Spirit right here with me, helping me make some sense of
the messes around me. </span></span><span style="color: #757575; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #757575;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-70761274659518152162023-11-29T11:47:00.000-05:002023-11-29T11:47:42.666-05:00We Came Here with Nothing<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Do anyone else's kids complain about the simplest things? It's something our family deals with from time to time. Lately, I've been asking myself what a complainer really is. As I've studied this, I learned t<span style="text-align: left;">he Greek word for<i> complainer</i> means “one who is discontented with his lot in life.” It is the same word used for </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">grumbler</i><span style="text-align: left;">. Complaining</span><span style="text-align: left;"> is detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit. So, it's no surprise that someone who complains is often grumpy and impatient.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">When we hear our children grumbling and complaining, we often show them videos of how families in other places live and discuss how being born in the United States is a gift. We didn’t get to choose where we were born and neither do the children born in impoverished countries. We don’t deserve the many blessings we have any more than those families do. We are simply blessed. We came with nothing into this world, just like everyone else. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I’ve pondered how easy it is for my children to complain with no thought of how blessed they are, I realized that adults often do the same. We act as though we're entitled to all the things we have and constantly want more and more. We complain about the responsibilities that come with the gifts we've been given instead of being grateful for those gifts. Each one of us could have just as easily been born in a small village in Africa with no air conditioning or bed to sleep in. We could spend our days traveling 2 miles by foot to get fresh water for our families or have to make our own clothing. We could live in one room huts made from clay bricks we made ourselves. We could have no access to education, healthcare, or the internet. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being born into this time period and this geographical location is an overwhelming gift that we take for granted each and every day. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Not to mention all the intangible gifts we've been given. Friendships, safety, love, health, joy, security, freedom, warmth, and on and on. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So why do we spend so much time complaining? Why do we get so bent out of shape when our dryer isn't working correctly? At least we aren't forced to hang our clothes on a line. Why do we get aggravated when we have a slow cashier at the grocery store? At least we have an unlimited amount of food at our fingertips. Why are we rarely happy with the car the drive and find something wrong about every room in our house? At least we have cars to drive and a house to live in. Even the smallest, oldest house in the United States is probably much better than the handmade tents so many Guatemalan families live in. So w</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">hy are we prone to complaining and grumbling?</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">I believe it's because we so easily forget. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">We forget that we came here with nothing.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Every. Thing. Is. A. Gift.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: start;">"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." James 1:17</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Children often forget that they have a home full of blessings to be thankful for and then they complain and grumble about the responsibilities that come with those blessings. And sadly, adults do the same. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">It's</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"> so easy to focus on things we wish were different or things we want but honestly, even without those things, our lives are </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">amazing,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"> and God has been so good to us! I am thankful for all that we have and all that we don't have---there are so many blessings in what we've been spared from as well! I pray that my family will remember that everything is a gift because we came here with nothing. I pray yours will, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-34643794623862541052023-11-16T11:23:00.001-05:002023-11-16T11:23:26.792-05:00The Significance of What God Has Done!<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtgDgdv38r1jw1Wu-NiJ3FiXQCW1RxWRC_bHFFEz3abNG8dgm7OnU1uI5jkuDmKKO7P8GYTB4m8Fb6woZyholkf30D6HF0nnHTJAWTLPM5ivB_8H-jl2UM2jHJRaWLDb0gZomN0xWcbw11RZYH-ANLYIfcD4fcsznXUNM9VH6poyPdsyA0ZfXlWXoZ14/s1080/Understanding%20the%20significance%20of%20what%20God%20has%20done%20changes%20everything%20because%20only%20then%20will%20we%20be%20able%20to%20walk%20in%20confidence%20because%20of%20His%20faithfulness..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtgDgdv38r1jw1Wu-NiJ3FiXQCW1RxWRC_bHFFEz3abNG8dgm7OnU1uI5jkuDmKKO7P8GYTB4m8Fb6woZyholkf30D6HF0nnHTJAWTLPM5ivB_8H-jl2UM2jHJRaWLDb0gZomN0xWcbw11RZYH-ANLYIfcD4fcsznXUNM9VH6poyPdsyA0ZfXlWXoZ14/w199-h199/Understanding%20the%20significance%20of%20what%20God%20has%20done%20changes%20everything%20because%20only%20then%20will%20we%20be%20able%20to%20walk%20in%20confidence%20because%20of%20His%20faithfulness..png" width="199" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You probably know the story of Jesus walking on water, but did you realize this
miracle happened the very same night as the feeding of the 5,000? The disciples
witnessed Jesus turn five loaves and two fish into enough food to feed over 5,000
men and additional women and children. Later that same evening, Jesus sent the
people home, sent the disciples back across the lake to Bethsaida, and went to
the hills alone to pray. While the disciples were still in their boat, a terrible
storm came, and Jesus noticed that they were in trouble. So, He went out on the
water to help them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Mark 6:50-52 (NLT) says, “They were all terrified when they saw
him.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> <span class="text">But Jesus spoke
to them at once. </span><span class="woj">“Don’t be afraid,”</span><span class="text"> He said. </span><span class="woj">“Take courage! I am here!”</span><span class="text"><b><sup> </sup></b>Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind
stopped. They were totally amazed,</span></span> <span class="text">for they
still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their
hearts were too hard to take it in.</span>” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They were scared when they saw Him, thinking it was a ghost but
then when Jesus got into the boat and storm died down, they were in shock. These
men were with Jesus all the time. They witnessed miracle after miracle, but
they still didn’t grasp WHO their Teacher was. It may seem absurd as we look
back over the story, I mean it seems so obvious to us, but Mark 6:52 explains
that they were totally amazed because they didn’t understand the significance
of the miracle of loaves and that their hearts were too hard to take it in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I was convicted as I read this</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"> yesterday </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">because there have definitely been times when I've missed what </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">God</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"> has done or, I have forgotten what He has done.
If we miss the significance what God has done in our lives, every situation we face will cause fear
to arise due to a lack of trust. </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">When our hearts
become hardened, we become indifferent and oblivious to His amazing works, and
we are unaware of how His works reveal His power. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we walk
through the difficulties of life, we must open our eyes and be aware of all the
things God is doing. We also need to write down the works of the Lord so that
we don’t forget all that He has done. Otherwise, we will miss the significance
of what He has done, which will cause fear to arise and trust to waver. Understanding
the significance of what God has done changes everything because only then will
we be able to face life with confidence, because of His faithfulness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;"> Tori</span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-39151637731884563302023-11-07T11:17:00.003-05:002023-11-07T11:18:49.443-05:00Be a Defense Hero!<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;">My 9-year-old
son plays soccer, but unlike most players, he has no interest in scoring. He only
wants to play defense, so he usually plays either goalie or defender. At his
last game, his coach called him his team’s “defense hero.”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheUCbCNvk3QxugR0MN2gzzuJRKNBVjsMf47ngGdqWxV9eivkMhkCY2_gzyaeZKA4t02Q7nZIPQaqHAS2vt91mN3qWQvVEtpJhUpzi2fkOkZxpGsTD_ib2HBPewW4usd3w3BH8i7hqG90BTvxvt879GcaPY24bNBjy03kgi2BtMNGJgVOuXLMSv0xZ7TB8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2008" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheUCbCNvk3QxugR0MN2gzzuJRKNBVjsMf47ngGdqWxV9eivkMhkCY2_gzyaeZKA4t02Q7nZIPQaqHAS2vt91mN3qWQvVEtpJhUpzi2fkOkZxpGsTD_ib2HBPewW4usd3w3BH8i7hqG90BTvxvt879GcaPY24bNBjy03kgi2BtMNGJgVOuXLMSv0xZ7TB8=w186-h190" width="186" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love
watching him track the ball and protect the goal. He isn’t afraid to run toward
those players who are rushing towards the goal. He doesn’t only want to keep the
ball from entering the goal, he tries to keep the ball from getting anywhere
near it! He isn’t afraid for the ball to hit him or even to dive after the ball.
He sees the importance of protecting the goal at all costs. He was the youngest
kid on his team this year, but he wasn’t intimidated. He knew his job as a defender,
and he did it, with confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My
oldest son played soccer years ago and was literally the kid that stood still
and watched the butterflies. If he had been playing defense, every ball would
have made it in the goal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I
watched my “defense hero” protect his team’s goal, I couldn’t help but think
about the importance of us protecting our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “<span style="background: white; color: #001320;">Guard your heart above all else, for it
determines the course of your life.</span>”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To “guard” means to be on watch, to protect, and to hopefully prevent
something from happening. Guarding doesn’t happen by accident. It’s intentional,
diligent, and purposeful. It means taking a stand and being proactive, instead
of just approaching life lazily and assuming we’ll never deal with temptations,
people, or situations that may lead us astray or bring us harm.</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just
like my son focuses on protecting his team’s goal, we must actively focus on guarding
our hearts. In our house we call it, “guarding our gates.” We are careful about
what we watch and listen to. But it’s so much more than that, too. Just like my
son confidently runs towards the ball that’s approaching their goal and kicks
it out of the way, we must be aware of the things that the enemy is throwing in
our direction and run confidently towards those things to prevent them from getting
anywhere near our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Protecting
our hearts not only affects the course of our lives, it also affects the lives
of our family and friends. What we choose to ignore and allow into our hearts
will cost us something. Just like the opposing team scores a point when the soccer
ball enters the goal, our enemy, Satan, gains ground when we aren’t diligent at
guarding our hearts. When the enemy gains ground, it hurts everyone around us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead
of sitting around watching the butterflies, I pray that I will be a “defense
hero” just like my soccer player. Not only do I want to protect my own heart
and the course of my life, I want to protect those I love and future generations
to come. I want to be proactive and unafraid, allowing nothing that isn’t
pleasing to the Lord to get anywhere near my heart or my family! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I pray
you’ll be the “defense hero” for yourself and your family, too!</span><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tori</b></span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-68446850181539964082023-10-12T08:47:00.005-04:002023-10-12T08:48:48.932-04:00We Have a Guide in the Maze<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDsyrxb91Dd65Jv0OcYIvD7Ve9CXKZtELMf1Z-lNMP2pPAser1A8Fn1IGixC7KJcQTNaN8BWWYV5oKZmTm8RzoOFvX8YDX8oEfxzRdqza8Mlnq2EQ01Tg7eZsICWW_XCOFHsGYN_GqLurl661A0Uxk_btVHgxucxwBzvgkyPvRFQrdQ2PhV-UClaMamY/s1080/We%20have%20a%20guide%20who%20knows%20the%20correct%20path%20for%20us%20to%20take%20and%20He%20promises%20to%20lead%20us%20as%20we%20travel.%20That's%20so%20encouraging,%20especially%20to%20those%20of%20us%20who%20have%20gotten%20lost%20in%20the%20maze%20before!.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDsyrxb91Dd65Jv0OcYIvD7Ve9CXKZtELMf1Z-lNMP2pPAser1A8Fn1IGixC7KJcQTNaN8BWWYV5oKZmTm8RzoOFvX8YDX8oEfxzRdqza8Mlnq2EQ01Tg7eZsICWW_XCOFHsGYN_GqLurl661A0Uxk_btVHgxucxwBzvgkyPvRFQrdQ2PhV-UClaMamY/w230-h230/We%20have%20a%20guide%20who%20knows%20the%20correct%20path%20for%20us%20to%20take%20and%20He%20promises%20to%20lead%20us%20as%20we%20travel.%20That's%20so%20encouraging,%20especially%20to%20those%20of%20us%20who%20have%20gotten%20lost%20in%20the%20maze%20before!.png" width="230" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last week I took my children to local farm on a field trip. I knew there would be a corn maze, but I told the kids before we even arrived that they could do the maze with their friends, but I wasn't doing it. Truth be told, I hate corn mazes. I had a terrible experience in one years ago. I thought we would never find our way out of that terrible maze! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It turns out, when we got to the corn maze area of the farm, the rest of our group wasn't there. I wasn't happy about it, but I was forced to go through the maze because I couldn't let my kids go through it alone, obviously. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before we entered the maze, there was a sign with a QR code that gave access to a GPS tool that would help get through the maze. (Apparently, I'm not the only one who gets lost in those things!) My oldest son used the GPS tool to guide us through the maze, and while it still wasn't my favorite activity, it ended up not being too bad. I kept thinking, it's amazing how different the experience is when you have a guide!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we walk through life, it can definitely feel like we're in a maze. So often decisions and circumstances leave us questioning which way we should go and there are times when other people or even our own thoughts lead us astray. We feel completely lost at times, turned around, and sometimes have no clue where we're going or if we're even head in the right direction. That's definitely the way I felt years ago in that awful corn maze. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This time however, when we were tempted to turn the right because we saw others going that way, my son was able to use the GPS and redirect us. When we seemed to be going in a circle and getting nowhere, he was able to reassure us by checking the GPS. When we simply didn't know which way was the right way, he was able to refer to the GPS and tell us which way was the correct way. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;">We have the same guidance available to us through the Holy Spirit. We are promised again and again, throughout scripture, that we are never alone and never forsaken. There isn't a moment when God takes His eyes off of us. We are also told to ask for wisdom, and it will be given to us. Isaiah 30:21 provides even more hope as we travel through this life. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: verdana;">It says, “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: verdana;">Just like my son using the GPS tool to guide us through the corn maze, we have a uGide who knows the correct path for us to take and He promises to lead us as we travel. That's so encouraging, especially to those of us who have gotten lost in the maze before! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: verdana;">Take heart, friend, regardless of how impossible your situation may seem or how directionally challenged you may feel, God promises that Your OWN ears will hear HIM. Right behind YOU a voice will say, "This is the way you should go." </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #134f5c; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-82370969626276258982023-08-31T09:41:00.005-04:002023-08-31T09:50:04.268-04:00It's not a period. It's a polka dot!"<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEj9ofe_jqmWUCHjxIvGKXLpEXwyaeIZ94xvxn99iXRN49jVs-zFOuTl6ZH4OPCqmXFT5GkP81UJUN9ltAx1G0Quv1Cfyk4XvdZ-3-TdBPcDqWokCrSRTKIlfFRsDeNJie0H6BKAOsHPk1D0Na3-4K5YMXueL4MiZLt9wfVhOPoL0o0A-ncA8RWFswsPs/s940/Add%20a%20subheading.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEj9ofe_jqmWUCHjxIvGKXLpEXwyaeIZ94xvxn99iXRN49jVs-zFOuTl6ZH4OPCqmXFT5GkP81UJUN9ltAx1G0Quv1Cfyk4XvdZ-3-TdBPcDqWokCrSRTKIlfFRsDeNJie0H6BKAOsHPk1D0Na3-4K5YMXueL4MiZLt9wfVhOPoL0o0A-ncA8RWFswsPs/w200-h168/Add%20a%20subheading.png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recently I was talking to a friend and a memory instantly popped into my mind. God often uses my kids to teach me things and that memory taught me something, once again. My daughter and I used to have matching t-shirts that said, “Besties.” One day we were wearing the shirts (before she grew out of hers) when she looked at my shirt and pointed to the period after the word "Bestie." She asked, "What's that, Mommy?" I responded, "That's a period." She looked up joyfully and <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>said, "No, that's a polka dot!" </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love those sweet little words, "No, that's a polka dot." </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are times when it feels as if things are hopeless or have come to an end. When we aren't sure if we heard God correctly or maybe think we've missed the mark. It can feel like there's a big period at the end of a dream, a goal, or a relationship. I’ve recently been praying over a situation that seems a though a big period has been slapped on it. My discussion with my friend reminded me of Allison’s words and I realized that I need a different perspective.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Job 42:2</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe that thing that feels like a period in our lives, is really just a polka dot. Perhaps it's just a little decoration on the masterpiece which is our lives. It may not seem like it at the moment but one day, we'll look back and see that God used what seemed like a period to make the final picture even more beautiful.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do you need a change in perspective today? Take my Bestie's words to heart!</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's not a period, it’s a polka dot!</span></div></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-8000147722381916202023-08-21T10:22:00.002-04:002023-08-21T10:23:14.557-04:00Consider it Pure Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.</span><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap"> </span><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap" style="font-weight: 700;"> </span><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This verse feels a little off, doesn't it? Facing trials of many kinds doesn't just naturally lead to pure joy. As I read this verse today, I realized it doesn't say, "<i>feel</i> pure joy." Instead, it says, "<i>consider</i> it pure joy." </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">The definition of the word <i>consider</i> is: to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">think carefully about something, typically before making a decision or to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">regard something as having a specified quality.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If we consider those definitions, James isn't saying that trials of many kinds will be joyful, he is saying that we should think carefully about our trials before we make up our minds about them. He is even requesting that we regard our trials as having that specific quality---joy. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: verdana;">Why? Because the things we face in life produce perseverance and when perseverance does its work within us, we become mature and complete and lack nothing. It is God's will for His children to become mature and complete. He created us to be so much more than we realize and sadly, we'll never become who we are meant to be without challenges and difficulties of various kinds. That is why God allows hardships, because He knows what it takes to mature us and make us complete, lacking nothing. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: verdana;">While the trials themselves are not full of joy, becoming who God created us to be is an amazingly beautiful thing. We don't have to like the trials but God wants us to consider what they are producing within us, instead of just focusing on the discomfort, inconvenience, or pain they are causing us as we walk through them. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: verdana;">There is purpose in the process. The pain leads to God's plan. These trials will not break us; His promises will be fulfilled. Remembering those truths enables us to consider our trials pure joy, not because of what we're going through, but because of what we are becoming. </span></span></p><div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div><div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-42562397831044559622023-08-11T13:20:00.001-04:002023-08-11T13:25:30.649-04:00A Prescription for Running Our Race Even when Life is Hard<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcJQD_trGaoGBcFh0AFUrA5guRQDCoMnh8_Re6OZH-jmIxemmpS6Bc5scLijnonzDYI6UGFj-hQNv5iUALBk_T6z0mXn4ukc92i0d4FcArxVLO9uLhMl7HukVTWh6UrJsnvh13ls9HX40AwF1oW0tc9KzWDT68CG86hGp4S7dVjY1dl_WHhb982qg0_E/s1080/When%20you%20don't%20feel%20like%20you%20can%20keep%20going%20and%20life's%20difficulties%20make%20the%20race%20of%20life%20seem%20impostble,%20God's%20Word%20provides%20a%20prescription%20..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcJQD_trGaoGBcFh0AFUrA5guRQDCoMnh8_Re6OZH-jmIxemmpS6Bc5scLijnonzDYI6UGFj-hQNv5iUALBk_T6z0mXn4ukc92i0d4FcArxVLO9uLhMl7HukVTWh6UrJsnvh13ls9HX40AwF1oW0tc9KzWDT68CG86hGp4S7dVjY1dl_WHhb982qg0_E/w200-h200/When%20you%20don't%20feel%20like%20you%20can%20keep%20going%20and%20life's%20difficulties%20make%20the%20race%20of%20life%20seem%20impostble,%20God's%20Word%20provides%20a%20prescription%20..png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Life is hard. As humans we face so many difficult,
heart-ripping circumstances that make it almost impossible to move forward. Trying
to reconcile why things happen or make sense of the messes we find ourselves in
can be entirely overwhelming. Whether we are being affected by things out of
our control, combating personal sins and temptations, or we’re suffering devastation
caused by the sins of others, God’s Word has the prescription for moving forward.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">1. </span><!--[endif]-->We must strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that so easily trips us up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">2. </span><!--[endif]-->Run the race God has set before us. Not limping
through but running with endurance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> 3. </span><!--[endif]-->We must keep our eyes on Jesus, the One who
initiates and perfects our faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p>Regardless of what we are facing, this prescription is a guarantee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God tells us to strip off every weight that slows us down. When
a bed is stripped, all of these sheets, blankets, and pillows are removed. The
bed is completely bare. That is what God wants for us—to strip ourselves of
every weight (not just some of the weight) that threatens to slow us down as we
run our race. This is especially true for the sin that will trip us as we run.
Whatever that sin might be, it needs to be destroyed. We must rip it away from
our lives and begin to view it the way God does so we can clearly see its
ability to destroy us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God calls us to run the race He has set before us. We must remember
that our race looks different from those around us. We will not always be going
in the same direction or moving at the same pace because God’s plans for each
of us are personal to us. It isn’t His desire for us to crawl or limp to the
finish line. He wants us to run with endurance, which is what trials produce in
life. However, there will be days when all
we can do is crawl and even then, He is there with us, always encouraging us.
And on the days when we can’t even move, He will carry us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Part 3 of this prescription is the key to the other two. We
must keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the One who starts and finishes our faith. Keeping
our eyes on Him is the only way to strip away the weight that holds us down and
rid ourselves of the sins that entangle us. Focusing our attention on Him is
the only way to continue our race when all we want to do is give up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus experienced it all—devastation, pain, shame,
rejection, fear, sadness, loneliness, etc. He kept moving forward in His race
because of the joy that He knew was to come. We can do the same. When our eyes
are on our Jesus, we are reminded of His great love for us and the example He
gave us. When we determine to focus on Him and what He has promised, we can
throw off anything that keeps us from moving forward and run with endurance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter what you’re facing today, the
prescription found in Hebrews 12:1-2 is there to help you guide you as you run
your race. You’re not alone either, there is a great cloud of witnesses cheering
you on!</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.</span></span><span style="background: white;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-NLT-30175">We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.</span></span>” Hebrews 12:1-2</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></o:p></span></p></span></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-20463865967512257702023-07-24T13:12:00.004-04:002023-07-24T13:12:30.701-04:00Victorious<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOu6elBF2TLXy1kL4TdlfBO1jjFSID10rHlyZlkxW8EbtL8NIDOnTrazsxSeJBTsHHYgE0NtZRSm07EJzY33XPiGfKdlnXZhQGH5_8wWpHNqWeoFMIKoRiaZ1w_qJEmG6xHwNR4KC5-h5s1nA3aGnRhMifW7SjNiRdTuVI74MhLH3KyBSSVXF-5kO0PlA/s1754/356974680_841387857385694_8193857244426123739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1754" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOu6elBF2TLXy1kL4TdlfBO1jjFSID10rHlyZlkxW8EbtL8NIDOnTrazsxSeJBTsHHYgE0NtZRSm07EJzY33XPiGfKdlnXZhQGH5_8wWpHNqWeoFMIKoRiaZ1w_qJEmG6xHwNR4KC5-h5s1nA3aGnRhMifW7SjNiRdTuVI74MhLH3KyBSSVXF-5kO0PlA/w213-h171/356974680_841387857385694_8193857244426123739_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are times in life when we’re just trying to survive. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, experienced health challenges, been rejected, faced financial problems, been deceived, or discovered that a situation isn’t what you thought it was. In those moments, it’s easy to feel as if we have been shattered. While those are some of the hardest times of our lives, we typically move through those experiences with the hope that we can be glued back together. But what happens when <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>we’re shattered over and over again? For me, that’s when the shattered pieces begin to feel more like dust, which is impossible to glue back together.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I sat at the beach last week and ran my fingers through the sand, I was reminded that when we feel like we’ve been crushed into dust, we can trust God, even then, because dust is one of His favorite materials. Genesis 2:7 says, ‘Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we feel like pieces of us are slipping through our fingers, God is there, ready to restore us but this time, instead of simply repairing us, what if He wants to do more? Maybe He wants to create something new in and through us. Just like He created man out of the dust to begin with, God can form and mold the dust of our lives into something new, something stronger, something greater. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” Psalm 62:1</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter what is out to destroy us, we can be sure that God desires to carry us through, not only to a place of feeling better but to a place of victory! When we wait upon Him, put our trust in Him, and watch with hopeful expectation even when it seems impossible, God will give us victory! </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God’s victory is so much more than just surviving. It’s overcoming! (1John 5:4) Laying our dust at the feet of the Father, and trusting Him with what’s left of who we are, is the first step in becoming a victorious overcomer!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-27666099476755867282023-07-21T07:39:00.003-04:002023-07-21T07:39:37.581-04:00Back to the Sunrise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCOPiqIn5obWuKFE2Bx6Uqbnoa9PKAot5fhJZtyoOnvGifJjlf9q9U_5_rCq2uKaA_tsIOS8XNXygg5VaaabxKLk1grxe6LNt0_N06Q4s1kCfNtEjjLd_r66ZrpTCfgGYszYh83pu2sbqtQDNvWQSVlSGX4y_mQrPhDA_enTafiydDMXDOwUXIAEoNqc/s1080/Even%20if%20it%20feels%20you%20have%20your%20back%20turned%20toward%20the%20sun,%20take%20a%20moment%20to%20remind%20yourself%20that%20it%20rose%20this%20morning,%20even%20if%20you%20didn%E2%80%99t%20see%20it..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCOPiqIn5obWuKFE2Bx6Uqbnoa9PKAot5fhJZtyoOnvGifJjlf9q9U_5_rCq2uKaA_tsIOS8XNXygg5VaaabxKLk1grxe6LNt0_N06Q4s1kCfNtEjjLd_r66ZrpTCfgGYszYh83pu2sbqtQDNvWQSVlSGX4y_mQrPhDA_enTafiydDMXDOwUXIAEoNqc/w200-h200/Even%20if%20it%20feels%20you%20have%20your%20back%20turned%20toward%20the%20sun,%20take%20a%20moment%20to%20remind%20yourself%20that%20it%20rose%20this%20morning,%20even%20if%20you%20didn%E2%80%99t%20see%20it..png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This
morning I woke up at 5:45am so I could walk to the beach to watch the sunrise.
I almost went back to sleep, but I felt God nudging my spirit to wake up and
get out to the beach. We’ve never been to Oak Island before, so I just went to
the closest beach access and found a little spot to sit. I had the entire beach
to myself. As I awaited the estimated sunrise time, I began to realize that the
sky was being filled with beautiful colors behind me. I kept waiting but my view,
while beautiful, still showed a darker sky with just hints of color and light. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Apparently,
since we’re vacationing on an island, I picked the wrong side to watch the
sunrise. I plan to go to the other side tomorrow but as I sat there this morning,
God reminded me that even when I can’t see it, the sun still rises. I didn’t
get to watch the actual sunrise, but I did see and feel the effects of it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the
entire sky began to light up and the temperature increased, I thought about the
different situations in my life where I don’t have a full view of what God is
doing but I can still rest in the truth that His love never fails, and He continues
to be faithful. In the lives of others, when I reflect on the past, and even in
the things I typically take for granted, I get glimpses of His work in my life,
and I can trust that He isn’t done yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am
currently in the middle of a waiting season in several areas of my life. As I
watch my mom battle cancer, work through difficult relationship issues, and seek
God’s guidance and provision for the next step for Not Forgotten Ministries, I
can’t see the full picture yet. But I wait in hope because I know goodness is
coming and my God is trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today,
even if it feels you have your back turned toward the sun, I hope you’ll take a
moment to remind yourself that it rose this morning, even if you didn’t see it.
I hope you’ll also allow yourself to the remember what the sunrise looks like
and feel the effects of it as the temperature warms your skin. You will see the
sun rise again but until then, you can wait in hope and rest in God’s
faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="color: #201a1e; font-family: verdana;">"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh
each morning." </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #201a1e; font-family: verdana;">Lamentations 3:23 NLT</span></p></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #073763; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tori</b></span></div><p></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-40169034480052366292023-07-14T14:31:00.004-04:002023-07-14T14:31:51.606-04:00Time to Clean Out the Attic!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_0FdG7Eun3YWp0nZ7PPRfZCTSydSGF8Zggl89BVu0vQIamVFsXFDdh9E2zj_bzWPrJktn6eDR-dvSA5d6zG4czFtPdcbx69iqqheINvrcjFbYku-UxjrH8Ll8V8TsV1syfylKAocprBPQFCqAdLaS7Cd4vbD3XeohR-oVeQ2L-O-7tUHjJbFO0h-O1g/s1080/Keeping%20our%20%E2%80%9Cstuff%E2%80%9D%20hidden%20feels%20easier%20and%20we%20foolishly%20believe%20there%20will%20be%20no%20consequences%20for%20doing%20so,%20but%20each%20box%20that%20is%20thrown%20in%20the%20attic%20and%20never%20sorted%20through%20only%20increases%20our%20heartache%20and%20the%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_0FdG7Eun3YWp0nZ7PPRfZCTSydSGF8Zggl89BVu0vQIamVFsXFDdh9E2zj_bzWPrJktn6eDR-dvSA5d6zG4czFtPdcbx69iqqheINvrcjFbYku-UxjrH8Ll8V8TsV1syfylKAocprBPQFCqAdLaS7Cd4vbD3XeohR-oVeQ2L-O-7tUHjJbFO0h-O1g/s320/Keeping%20our%20%E2%80%9Cstuff%E2%80%9D%20hidden%20feels%20easier%20and%20we%20foolishly%20believe%20there%20will%20be%20no%20consequences%20for%20doing%20so,%20but%20each%20box%20that%20is%20thrown%20in%20the%20attic%20and%20never%20sorted%20through%20only%20increases%20our%20heartache%20and%20the%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As I drove through a local neighborhood today, looking at all the beautiful homes, I began thinking about the attics these homes possess. had no reason to ponder the storage areas of these homes, but I just kept thinking about how much stuff must be packed in each house. </span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some people probably have nicely organized, clean attics but the ones I’ve seen throughout the years have been a chaotic mess filled with an assortment of things. Many contain numerous storage bins and boxes <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>that are stacked haphazardly around the space, making finding something a guessing game because the boxes aren’t labeled, and no one remembers what’s in them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether the space is beautifully arranged or terribly cluttered, every home probably has a bunch of stuff stored somewhere within its walls. As I thought about this, God reminded me that the same is true for people. All our experiences--victories and defeats, good times and bad times, relationships, memories, education, and every season of life--make up who we are. All these things are stored within us and impact the way we live our lives.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For many of us, we cram what we’ve obtained from years past into various mental compartments and never sort through it or discard the harmful things. It feels easier to push it all into an unlabeled box and try to forget it’s there. But those boxes just pile up and over time those piles get heavier and heavier. The weight of it all makes it hard for us to make sense of our lives or even understand our own actions. We often say and do things we never imagined doing and live in a state of shame, regret, and perpetual unhappiness. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God knows what’s in each and every box. He knows what needs to be gotten rid of and what needs to be used. He knows which boxes contain beautiful memories that we need to cling to, and which ones are filled with trauma and difficulty that need to be worked through. He knows that leaving those boxes untouched will only harm us and that leaving it all for your children to deal with when you die, is selfish and disastrous—the perfect illustration of generational curses.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ephesians 5:13-16 says, “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said, ‘Wake up, sleeper,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God wants us to open the boxes we’ve stored away so He can illuminate and expose accordingly. Every single item will become a light, revealing truth about who you are, why you act the way you act, why you say the things you say, why you believe what you believe, and why you treat others the way you do. As you sort through those things and allow the Holy Spirit to rid you of things that are no longer beneficial to you, and rise up the dead parts within you in, you’ll be able to truly live your life, making the most of every opportunity, instead of simply being alive.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keeping our “stuff” hidden feels easier and we foolishly believe there will be no consequences for doing so, but each box that is thrown in the attic and never sorted through only increases our heartache and the strain on generations to come.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each house I drove by today has an attic or some other area for storage, and the same is true for us. It’s time to open the boxes, sort through the stuff, and allow God to reveal what needs to stay and what needs to go. It may be a difficult task, but it won’t be one you’ll regret doing!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-63416787016463616482023-07-06T10:06:00.006-04:002023-07-06T10:06:52.034-04:00Modern Medicine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_IIktO9m5b6N57CYrvKKiX4aTuQ0Vj1ncAMvzTJ9TnDjF_iALftjs7GsE2y7InIdACL7tQKbwZv6TnfN3AfaR0_3ZsI5nxicfckr8YUftIKOopCKhm2mqjMGK2fVzKhA-JykIAilCMPJFJlVq-Vxc2KdZ4YtFBDnsPsBOgvB_pEeCEVWPBtMppFI85Q/s1620/354553709_595099809358804_1504413866984775093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_IIktO9m5b6N57CYrvKKiX4aTuQ0Vj1ncAMvzTJ9TnDjF_iALftjs7GsE2y7InIdACL7tQKbwZv6TnfN3AfaR0_3ZsI5nxicfckr8YUftIKOopCKhm2mqjMGK2fVzKhA-JykIAilCMPJFJlVq-Vxc2KdZ4YtFBDnsPsBOgvB_pEeCEVWPBtMppFI85Q/s320/354553709_595099809358804_1504413866984775093_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in July of 2018. It took so many years to obtain this diagnosis and then several months to figure out the right "cocktail" of medications to help manage my pain and prevent further damage to my body. Today, five years later, as I get the infusion I get every six weeks, my heart is filled with gratitude for modern medicine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are some people who believe it would be best not to take man-made medications but I firmly believe God gave man the wisdom and ability to create medicines. When I first got diagnosed, I could barely walk because my entire left side was in so much pain. I spent years waking up with muscle stiffness and whole-body achiness that lasted hours. I've dealt with pain and fatigue that kept me from enjoying life or being the wife and mother I want to be. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These infusions, along with my other medications, have given me my life back. I still have symptoms and bad days, but overall, my quality of life has improved tremendously and I am incredibly grateful. I'm able to enjoy my family, homeschool my kids, run a non-profit ministry, write books, lead Bible-studies, go on family vacations, help others, spend time with friends, take care of my home, and so many other things, of which I'm not sure I would be able to do without these medications. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've also watched, over the past couple of months, as my mom receives chemotherapy to kill cancer that would otherwise end her life. Not only that, but as her symptoms worsened, the doctors were able to adjust her medications which helped her tremendously. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Medication is a gift from the Lord. He has blessed men and women with the wisdom needed to create and prescribe them. It is still God who uses them to heal us. I am so grateful for the ways He has used these drugs to benefit my life and my family. He is a good, good Father!</div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-11431256938437843632023-06-19T09:15:00.001-04:002023-06-20T09:41:17.768-04:00Victorious!<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSD1eS6ld9cogNYryj6WbTs2zGcZzqBJBhOoR3dbVaIbbkL2NWkparrKELImtc3B5tGEhPndDhTXRZHGtfa8L4kRJQ45U12g2oVYC5kBQx6cKE187Q1Dwmb35hDJ_yYPLuLEYqdkmYLSCYts97lI5FVLp1c4VjAQa0tCm4UqYNx8Z6aG9DYYjc59blVY/s2048/352943039_740984107823618_8246870846367049496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="2048" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSD1eS6ld9cogNYryj6WbTs2zGcZzqBJBhOoR3dbVaIbbkL2NWkparrKELImtc3B5tGEhPndDhTXRZHGtfa8L4kRJQ45U12g2oVYC5kBQx6cKE187Q1Dwmb35hDJ_yYPLuLEYqdkmYLSCYts97lI5FVLp1c4VjAQa0tCm4UqYNx8Z6aG9DYYjc59blVY/s320/352943039_740984107823618_8246870846367049496_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Today marks twenty-four years since I had my abortion. Most of those years I desperately avoided even thinking about what I had done, and I never acknowledged my baby. Four years ago, everything changed when I finally surrendered my story to God. Instead of running away from my past mistakes, I knew God wanted me to face them head on. On the twentieth anniversary of my abortion, I went inside the former abortion clinic for the first time. It was the scariest thing I had ever done but also brought me so much healing. </span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since then, every June 19th, I do something special in honor of the baby I aborted. This year I decided to do something permanent. I’ve had a tattoo with the names of my living children for several years but today, I added two butterflies to represent Taylor, the baby I aborted, and Micah, the baby I miscarried. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also had the word “Victorious” tattooed on my wrist. This word has meant a lot to me for many years. Romans 8:37 says, “But in all these things we are completely victorious through God who showed His love for us.” As I have allowed God to heal my heart and use my story, I’ve realized that because of His great love for us, we really can triumph victoriously over the things that once had so much power over us. I decided to have it tattooed on my wrist as a reminder for the current battles I face and those to come in the future. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After getting my tattoos this afternoon, I went back to the former clinic and spent some time praying and listening to the Father. I’m not sure how, but this place I once absolutely abhorred, has become a peaceful place where God meets me so profoundly. Being there no longer affects me negatively or causes fear or shame to arise within me. With God’s grace and guidance, I have triumphed victoriously over the abortion I had when I was 16 and the clinic where it happened. The anniversary is still hard, there are still tears, and I still wish I had made a different choice. But God has turned what the enemy meant for evil, into something beautiful for His glory. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He has made me victorious!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-88737934292475642922023-06-07T14:54:00.004-04:002023-06-20T09:41:39.031-04:00When Faith is True Faith<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LXmV1NmQoPQvP1if1fpa20C9GYcbW4L6_ryCh83F9F_bn_CFzrLs8DQAjWwd_EnWbVmZD2sSs7L8cly4jDNfQOXz4LLVMAw4XtPL-V4tUfHNT5D9vkFfeH6r7479f8qjDykbFsUjbeX5YhQ04iIbNggFTLT2rGqrJXoTLCwP-hftrY7ThvlcASwk/s1080/you%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LXmV1NmQoPQvP1if1fpa20C9GYcbW4L6_ryCh83F9F_bn_CFzrLs8DQAjWwd_EnWbVmZD2sSs7L8cly4jDNfQOXz4LLVMAw4XtPL-V4tUfHNT5D9vkFfeH6r7479f8qjDykbFsUjbeX5YhQ04iIbNggFTLT2rGqrJXoTLCwP-hftrY7ThvlcASwk/w188-h188/you%20(1).png" width="188" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday my mom underwent her first chemotherapy treatment to fight against breast cancer. As I sat in the room with her, the thought crossed my mind, "Maybe faith isn't even really faith until life isn't going the way we planned and we still choose to believe and trust."</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The more I've thought about that, the more I think perhaps people tend to consider faith to be just a feeling. We can say we have faith but we don't really know what faith is until life isn't going our way. That's when we learn what faith looks and feels like. </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Without those difficult times, would we ever really need faith? </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we can walk through a difficult situation, one that may even feel hopeless, and we're still able to trust that God is in control and has good plans for us and move forward accordingly, that's true faith. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That verse doesn't say, "We think or feel by faith." It says, "We walk by faith." That explains that faith is an action, or something we do. The verse also means that we must let our trust in God lead us, instead of just trusting what we see with our eyes or the feelings we have. The way things appear isn't always true and our feelings aren't trustworthy. Things can seem desperate and we can feel entirely alone, but when we use our faith to move forward, instead of focusing on our circumstances or emotions, we are walking by faith.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Life is tough, for Christians and non-Christians alike. Being a Christian doesn't remove the difficulties of life. When we walk by faith, we can walk through the hard times of life without fear, depending on our Heavenly Father to guide us. Not only does our faith please God and inspire others, it also allows us to experience God's presence in ways we couldn't otherwise. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I pray that when our lives seem to fall apart, we will be able to walk by faith, not by sight. May we begin looking at life's difficult times as opportunities to exercise our faith and experience God in new, fresh ways.</span></p>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705931217461665431.post-22211156403727465222023-06-03T11:59:00.006-04:002023-06-03T11:59:59.944-04:00God's Favor isn't Something We Must Earn<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86Ed4TSxGCjyT9OvBjnXJ4UGT4bmK7VdcQclx7-U4Dz-ezLk-LHWEi9HZUYcAY9u5iSt-VZM1ODTSu1tmdAfsSGXS0fK8TA_SOcZKDbFsd-ByasXvscNsPfbpP1G0trBF8jLIor3OylKQAWHqGc8loC_j3TwsEXa_lS1debu83asktay42fony8DR/s1080/God's%20favor%20isn't%20something%20we%20must%20try%20to%20win,%20it's%20something%20we%20already%20have!.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86Ed4TSxGCjyT9OvBjnXJ4UGT4bmK7VdcQclx7-U4Dz-ezLk-LHWEi9HZUYcAY9u5iSt-VZM1ODTSu1tmdAfsSGXS0fK8TA_SOcZKDbFsd-ByasXvscNsPfbpP1G0trBF8jLIor3OylKQAWHqGc8loC_j3TwsEXa_lS1debu83asktay42fony8DR/w202-h202/God's%20favor%20isn't%20something%20we%20must%20try%20to%20win,%20it's%20something%20we%20already%20have!.png" width="202" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you're like me, you've probably struggled with the idea that we must act the right way, say the right things, and be "good little Christians" in order to earn God's favor. Many of us have spent our entire lives trying to earn the favor of other humans, so it's no surprise that we would believe God's favor must be earned as well. </span></span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":r41a:" style="padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is nothing the enemy wants more than for us to question God's goodness, doubt His love for us, and rely on our own strength. Believing we <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>must earn God's favor is a lie straight from the pit of hell! </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">God's favor isn't something we must earn, it's something we already have! </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">God's willingness to sacrifice His only Son for us, save us, and fill us with His Holy Spirit, is a beautiful gift that we could never earn. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today, I pray we will rest in the favor God has already blessed us with. We don't have to strive for it or be without fault to keep it. God's favor is a gift He has already given us simply because He wanted to.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Tori</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="x1n2onr6" id=":r41b:" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; position: relative;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><a class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1lliihq x1pdlv7q" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=717448667053045&set=a.620440376753875&__cft__[0]=AZULTRXX4TryC0fyMRcsd-_VUzogPUyFEy57vYrK7oC7fWrR6b1BdHjCDlAW9YBvgkh2dGZSYz-zE5Uh0L7sfUjQ1fTKm2XKp0VcXXOnkC6fHpbSBqqhvxU6r03RlEaPRR0XkZo7AtDwDurc18TPmZWn44T4wekhX9mRLS0-XsNdHonKgeCKhRabCu0PqRU0KD8&__tn__=EH-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; display: block; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="x6s0dn4 x1jx94hy x78zum5 xdt5ytf x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6 xh8yej3" style="align-items: center; background-color: #fcfcfc; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 500px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 500px; width: calc((100vh + -325px) * 1);"><div class="xqtp20y x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 500px; position: relative;"><div class="x10l6tqk x13vifvy" style="font-family: inherit; height: 500px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 500px;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="xua58t2 xzg4506 x1ey2m1c xds687c x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy" style="border-bottom: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); border-top: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute;"></div><div class="x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1ey2m1c xds687c xg01cxk x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy x1ebt8du x19991ni x1dhq9h" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="border-radius: inherit; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></a></div><div class="x6ikm8r x10wlt62" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"></div></div></div><div class="x8gbvx8 xdppsyt x1n2xptk x78zum5 x1q0g3np x1qughib xz9dl7a xn6708d xsag5q8 xpkgp8e" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider); border-top: 1px solid var(--divider); color: #1c1e21; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 12px 12px 12px 14px; place-content: flex-start space-between;"><div class="x78zum5 x1q0g3np" style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: inherit;"><div class="x12mruv9 x1xmf6yo x1sxyh0" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 2px; margin-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px;"><i class="x1b0d499 x1d69dk1" data-visualcompletion="css-img" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/y2/r/t0As8hjhF22.png"); background-position: 0px -226px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; filter: var(--filter-secondary-icon); height: 20px; vertical-align: -0.25em; width: 20px;"></i></div></div></div>Tori Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14787794321893069777noreply@blogger.com0