tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52540669807828898532024-02-01T21:35:40.414-08:00PonderingsKristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.comBlogger509125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-28469227398407049862017-02-20T16:47:00.000-08:002017-02-20T16:47:26.420-08:00Where I Am From<em>There is a writing exercise going around that came from the reading of a poem called, Where I'm From. It's about digging into your roots, from where you came from, using all your senses to bring up memories of what made you who you are today. I wanted to give it a try and now I share it with you all. Maybe you would like to give it a try yourself. . .</em><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Where I Am From</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am from tornado alleys and where the wind blows red dirt.</span></span></div>
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I am from a place full of cowboys<br />
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and fields full of cows <br />
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and wildflowers and blackberry bushes.<br />
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I am from where the buffalo roam<br />
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I am from terrain where you'll find treasures of arrowheads.</div>
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I am from a land full of mosquitoes and scorpions and junebugs and lightning bugs.<br />
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I am from the bible belt, churches, old hymns, organs, and little dresses with bows on the back.</div>
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I am from sunday school classes, childrens programs, and youth groups.</div>
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I am from old pews and new pews, old ministers and new ones.</div>
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I am from pigtails, yarn ribbons in hair, and barretts. I am from saddle oxfords .</div>
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I am from shyness, sitting in back rows, blending into crowds, hiding behind skirts.</div>
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I am from hopscotch, red light green light, and tag.</div>
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I am from mud pies and clover made necklaces, swings and slides.</div>
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I am city </div>
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and farm.</div>
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I am from tall sky scrapers and acres with ponds. I am from smog and cement pavements and also from clean country air and dirt roads.</div>
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I am from purple iris's and orange day lilies, swings, hammocks, and metal bouncy chairs, ponds, and cousins, woods and tree houses.</div>
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I am from gardens and music and guns and bow and arrows.</div>
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I am from piano lessons, recorder and violin playing, recitals and throwing up afterwards.</div>
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I am from playgrounds of warm musty attics filled with treasures and breezy barns filled with stacked hay bales to climb on and corn cobs to throw at siblings and cousins.</div>
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I am from lakes, ponds, moss covered rocks and poison ivy.</div>
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I am from pink calamine lotion and red mercurochrome.</div>
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I am from sweet tea, beans and cornbread, yucky lima beans, fried chicken, homemade bisquits and gravy, mashed potatoes, roast beef and roasted potatoes, potatoe cakes,and even frog legs jumping in the black, cast iron skillet.</div>
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I am from libraries, Nancy Drew books, writitng tablets and purple banana seat bicycles.</div>
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I am from grandpa who was sheriff and farmer.</div>
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I come from grandma who was excellent cook, baker, homemaker, gardner and protector of grandchildren to the point of chopping snakes in two who slithered too close to her babes. I come from bravery.</div>
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I am from grandfather who only had a 6th grade education and yet self taught himself to the point of taking excellent care of his family. He roasted and sold peanuts, became a barber and invented a machine that supposedly grew hair that brought men from miles around. I come from hard workers.</div>
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I am from a grandmother who was another excellent, devoted housewife, cook, sewed, crocheted,loved to work in the yard. I am from kindness and love. I am from devoted women.</div>
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I am from quiet people filled with kindness and compassion.</div>
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I am from a distant father</div>
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and an ill mother.</div>
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I am from depression, broken relationships and distance. I am from tears of many kinds. I am from healings, restorations and forgiveness.</div>
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I am from stories and love and miracles.</div>
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I am from Pat and Jack. I am from grace and mercy. I am from God.</div>
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<em><strong>Where are you from?</strong></em></div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-37085402037380350572016-11-19T10:05:00.006-08:002020-10-09T10:13:26.653-07:00My Thanksgiving From A to ZA blogger friend wrote her Thanksgiving list from A to Z and I pondered. . .hhmmm. . .what would my A to Z list look like. . .<br />
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A ~ Acts of kindness. . .I have received many and it is fun to give them.<br />
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B ~ Balloons. . .You just cannot NOT be happy with balloons around.<br />
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C ~ Christopher. . .my son I can do "stupid" with. ( the good, silly kind)<br />
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D ~ Doug. . .my supportive brother<br />
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E ~ Every lesson that God teaches me. . .even the hard because they make me grow<br />
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F ~ Faith. . .it keeps me moving<br />
Friends. . .they're like the bacon bits in your salad. . .they bring zing to your life.<br />
<br />
G ~ God. . .the One who loves me most.<br />
<br />
H~ Husband. . .(mine) supportive, loyal, deep thinker, loving, kind, would do anything for me, like<br />
cleaning up vomit when I'm too sick, without any wise cracks, or jumping up from a football <br />
game and fixing a broken glass hutch door (that I broke) because I needed it fixed before a <br />
party. What a guy!<br />
<br />
I ~ Ice, crushed. Love my iced tea COLD.<br />
<br />
J ~ Jehovah Jireh. . .my Provider<br />
<br />
K ~ Kim. . .my supportive and beautiful sister<br />
<br />
L ~ Love. . .who wouldn't be thankful for this?<br />
Laughter. . .can save the day.<br />
Leaves. . .colored leaves for the eyes to drink in and dry crunchy leaves for the wonderful smell.<br />
<br />
M ~ Music . . .and maple syrup.<br />
<br />
N ~ Nice people. . .because nice is just nice<br />
Not so nice people. . .because it gives me a chance to practice grace and patience.<br />
<br />
O ~ Opened doors. . .the ones God <strike>pushes</strike>, nudges me through. . .because it takes me out of my <br />
comfort zone where huge blessings are.<br />
<br />
P ~ Polka dots. . .because they just make me smile.<br />
Potatoes . . .mashed, fried, fries, baked, any ol way. . .so good!<br />
Prayer partners. . .love them all!<br />
<br />
Q ~ Quiet. . .so peaceful and when I'm quiet, I hear from the Lord much better.<br />
<br />
R ~ Raspberry jam. . .from toast to turkey.<br />
<br />
S ~ Sunsets. . .they can be so gorgeous and it means bed time is coming.<br />
<br />
T ~ Tim . . .son who put me through 19 hours of unmedicated labor. And I would do it all over<br />
again for him, because he is worth it.<br />
<br />
U ~ Upbeat people. . .they're just fun.<br />
<br />
V ~ Victory. . .in Jesus. O death, where is your sting?<br />
<br />
W ~ Windless days. . .good for my thick, frizzy hair.<br />
<br />
X ~ Xtra Ranch. . .because everything is good dipped in Ranch<br />
<br />
Y~ Yahweh. . .the One who gave me new breath.<br />
<br />
Z ~ Zebras . . . one of the many ways showing God's creativity. By the way, I learned they are black <br />
with white stripes, not the other way around.<br />
<br />
There you have it. Some more serious than others, but still thankful for all. And of course, this is just a small list. . .I could go on and on. . .and I do. . .between Him and me.<br />
<br />
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"Gratitude bestows reverence. . ."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Eucharisteo (thanksgiving) . . .opening the eyes wider, the heart deeper. . .giving thanks for what is, creates an appetite for more - not for more things, but for seeking more of God to give Him more glory." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ann Voskamp</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(looking for the "thanksgivings" is looking for love and giving it back)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-29972269128240709122016-03-05T14:50:00.001-08:002016-03-05T14:50:14.506-08:00Two ResurrectionsResurrection. . .don't rush through that word. Say it slowly and listen as it reverberates off the tongue. Resurrection. . .such a beautiful sound, such a beautiful word, and the meaning behind it; to bring to life something that was dead. <br />
<br />
A relationship in my life was dead for nine years. From the time I was the age of fourteen to twenty-three, I did not see or talk with my mother. She suffered with severe depression. In this state of mental illness, she would fly into rages without warning. My brother, nine years older was gone. My sister, five years older was gone. I was the only one left to witnesse the depression, the rages, not understanding what was wrong with her. There were days she would just stare at me with her large eyes, me always wondering what was going on in her head. There were days I would come home from school, and she would meet me in the living room, raging over nothing, and shredding the clothes off my body with her bare hands. In the end, I was scared of her. I would go to bed not wanting to close my eyes. I was fearful, of what, I wasn't sure. I was taken away to live with my grandmother. No one explained. I thought my mother didn't love me. And so, I wouldn't love her either. In my young, innocent, naïve mind, I told myself I wanted her to be happy, but I didn't need her in my life. And so she wasn't for the next nine years.<br />
<br />
I went on to high school and lived my life. I grew, I graduated, and then married. I had learned to go on with my life without her, not giving her any thought. Then one night as I was dusting my dresser in my newlywed apartment, I heard God clearly speak in my soul, "It is time to call your mother." After nine years of not thinking of her, God led me immediately to my phone and I called her. How I knew her phone number, I still do not know to this day. But I called. She lived a mile from my apartment. I went. A resurrection took place. She greeted me, we hugged, we talked and we sat at her piano for hours and hours playing and singing praise songs, at times crying grateful tears, praising our Heavenly Father for all He had done. . .Resurrecting His Son Jesus after sending Him to die for our sins, to pay the penalty for OUR sins, so we could come into a relationship with a Holy God, to have a heavenly home to go to when we are called. Resurrecting our own relationship to a beautiful reunion, forgiveness not even mentioned because we knew it had been given. My mother had been healed. I had grown up. And after nine years, God spoke and said it was time. That was in 1985.<br />
<br />
After enjoying our new relationship for a couple of years, my husband received a job that took us from our Oklahoma home to Arkansas for the next four years. Then from there we moved back to Oklahoma but to another city. After thirteen years, we moved to Kentucky. My mother and I had never lived in the same city after I left for Arkansas, but we had many, many visits, phone calls and e-mails over the years. She became a wonderful, loving grandmother to all her grandchildren, and then great grandchildren. As I became older and more mature, I realized all my mother had gone through and began to understand how strong this weak perceived woman really was. When she totally surrendered to the Lord, she began to rise, being a blessing to all who met her. I found myself proud of this woman who I call my mom. With the Lord, she had overcome what the enemy had meant for harm. With the Lord, victory had been won.<br />
<br />
My mother is now 84 years old. My brother and sister who lived in the same city as she, had done a wonderful job of helping her. They had done so for many years, but it became more and more of a job and with both of them working full time jobs, it was time for me, a stay at home wife, to take over. But it took three years for my mom to be ready to leave her Oklahoma home behind. In July of last year, she became ready, and my brother and sister brought her to my Kentucky home to live with me, my husband and younger son.<br />
<br />
We call mom the Queen, I am her princess, and together, we worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTrCuKy6TIW-u4zgpDhy9WkJssC-8-X1mSppJmtHhEDwwicCN8EIwuRXRBuTSResWCzavTJoOO-hE4ChXJILzPV2qbjxYpmipxpxOy0JGiL-Ei5Sghlt3RNUJBJ-vRBXndZL9w5D4Pkc/s1600/DSC06750-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTrCuKy6TIW-u4zgpDhy9WkJssC-8-X1mSppJmtHhEDwwicCN8EIwuRXRBuTSResWCzavTJoOO-hE4ChXJILzPV2qbjxYpmipxpxOy0JGiL-Ei5Sghlt3RNUJBJ-vRBXndZL9w5D4Pkc/s320/DSC06750-r.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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There has been more than one resurrection in my life. </div>
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Both have been life saving.</div>
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Both have been filled with grace.</div>
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Both have been filled with lessons learned.</div>
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Both filled with love.</div>
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And one because of the other.</div>
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<strong>Resurrection</strong></div>
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Such a beautiful word!</div>
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Only from God!</div>
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Hallelujah! </div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-17451205479433398892015-05-09T15:16:00.001-07:002015-05-10T20:03:25.489-07:00Trading Ashes for Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7KNF55EYN8CoEb1Us3qPoxPy7Epjr_UA-MkGYaVyifxPHOL32iXiurwOdXep0vb6shpmas6Ui6I-oVVm2ZLFCXo0Rjft48PLqD65QXwauDp76a_7szPe9kQoZm6CUneAEsnUe5_MGUE/s1600/11218513_10204287204839766_4007837366290094909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7KNF55EYN8CoEb1Us3qPoxPy7Epjr_UA-MkGYaVyifxPHOL32iXiurwOdXep0vb6shpmas6Ui6I-oVVm2ZLFCXo0Rjft48PLqD65QXwauDp76a_7szPe9kQoZm6CUneAEsnUe5_MGUE/s400/11218513_10204287204839766_4007837366290094909_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Living in
this great big, beautiful, wonderful world, sometimes storms blow in. Really
big storms that bring fires that burn. . .burn bad. And what comes after the
fires?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ashes. And we have a choice to
make. . .sit in the ashes or trade them in. Sometimes we need to sit in those
ashes for awhile, because we can learn lessons there but there is Someone who
doesn’t want us to stay in those ashes forever. He has something SO much better
for us. . .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah 61:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness
for the prisoners…to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve…to
bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of
mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me
introduce you to four women who have sat in the ashes and learned to trade them
in for some doozy kind of beauty. . <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. (please
don’t miss the important story and message at the end)</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32UtdyjGU35nH125Iz9VUWTad72M6huJL1JCTW6bECk3m9M4ZCvEunEpYoybppqjTe-Ns89IgYbwdCMF92ZS5xvnKWEqr3pbf_3hrnsfi0sZiIs8AUWebJwA9-OarA6ozZQmCreNZHyE/s1600/DSC08128-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32UtdyjGU35nH125Iz9VUWTad72M6huJL1JCTW6bECk3m9M4ZCvEunEpYoybppqjTe-Ns89IgYbwdCMF92ZS5xvnKWEqr3pbf_3hrnsfi0sZiIs8AUWebJwA9-OarA6ozZQmCreNZHyE/s400/DSC08128-e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Trading those ashes out for</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9xnp02zFjaNITpwATStJ3zKHxKWrPY-TaKiXl88mAR15CiQWWSqXfLF0lBAgcK5KV0flGbkLzv-PdPhFgHc8HnHPpSkSYXBcJ9tdJXV1wN880pc2o1wAKeY7eYjiCXphxseUhA-_rJc/s1600/DSC08180-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9xnp02zFjaNITpwATStJ3zKHxKWrPY-TaKiXl88mAR15CiQWWSqXfLF0lBAgcK5KV0flGbkLzv-PdPhFgHc8HnHPpSkSYXBcJ9tdJXV1wN880pc2o1wAKeY7eYjiCXphxseUhA-_rJc/s640/DSC08180-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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beauty</div>
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and joy and fun, something we had all lost at one time. . .read the rest at the end of pics. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaus66hWPy_lvBM0uC2OCzvd_IAjBdi8yCcpTVnWynNnAnR7pDWJmynpOfqhHCvEOJYjIx3Clo6FQ4ATZCVgkpdJZgfBascWmvmE9JDraZ1oOAAphFS6GUct3MISxQIK5LwZvmCJO99M/s1600/DSC08104-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaus66hWPy_lvBM0uC2OCzvd_IAjBdi8yCcpTVnWynNnAnR7pDWJmynpOfqhHCvEOJYjIx3Clo6FQ4ATZCVgkpdJZgfBascWmvmE9JDraZ1oOAAphFS6GUct3MISxQIK5LwZvmCJO99M/s640/DSC08104-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
PRAISING JESUS!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~TO GOD BE THE GLORY~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So there ya
have it…four southern women…all who have gone through difficulties and heart
breaks in their lives, but made it through with their Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He reached down from on high and
took hold of (us); he drew (us) out of deep waters. He rescued (us) from (our)
powerful enemy, from (our) foes, who were too strong for (us).” Psalm 18:16-17<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was there
to comfort, give rest, guide and lead, gave discernment, and brought us out of
the pit. It took time, but. . .we found our way back to <strong>joy</strong> and <strong>fun</strong> and we
praise Him, our Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You say, “You all don’t know what
heart break is!”</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s different for all of us and no matter
what each one is, when it’s our hurt, it hurts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of us tried and almost succeeded in suicide. Because of doctors who
did not give up the first time, the second time or the third time, she is with
us today radiating with joy. One of us became the mother of a prodigal, a story
that put her on the couch and lost 30 lbs. over a two week period. It took her
5 years to put it all back on. Two of us have had dear ones in prison. One
ended up on a psyche ward for depression. We’ve all had broken relationships.
And we’ve all survived. We traded in our ashes for beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of
these hurts didn’t go away. Some were mended, some restored, and some are still
there being raised in prayer. But praise Jesus! We don’t have to sit in the pit
of despair. No matter the circumstance, we are here to tell ya, when you follow
Jesus, keep your eyes on Him. . .Joy comes! Joy comes! Joy comes in the
morning!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you
going through discouragement, pain, depression, some kind of hurt of your
own?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise Jesus! Jesus is there with
you. Ask Him what it is He wants you to learn while you’re waiting for
delivery. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PLEASE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t waste the pain.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what the devil himself would want you
to do. Don’t give him that. Lean on the strength of the Lord, learn, give Him
the glory and be ready to rise, cause it’s comin’ girl, it’s comin’! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"You have turned for (us our) mourning into dancing; you have loosed (our) sackcloth and clothed (us) with gladness, that (our) glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, (we) will give thanks to you forever!" Psalm 30:11-12</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">From your sisters in Christ, daughters of the King,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Elaine, Kris, Tamra and Peggy</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>DEAR READER. . .Do you feel alone? You are not precious one. God is with you.</strong></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:2-3</em> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>BUT. . .</strong>sometimes we need someone with skin on. If you would like to talk or want prayer, please feel free to e-mail any or all of us at the following. . .we'll be here for you!</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are loved with an everlasting love. And underneath are the everlasting arms.</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kris ~ <a href="mailto:Krbrid@aol.com">Krbrid@aol.com</a></span></o:p></span></div>
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Elaine ~ <span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".2p.$mid=11431133178207=278132f6e357bfd4a87.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".2p.$mid=11431133178207=278132f6e357bfd4a87.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><a href="mailto:Elainecbailey@yahoo.com">Elainecbailey@yahoo.com</a></span></span></div>
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Tamra ~ <span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".2p.$mid=11431132110540=28f3478f527d2da6406.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".2p.$mid=11431132110540=28f3478f527d2da6406.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><a href="mailto:Tlew1207@yahoo.com">Tlew1207@yahoo.com</a></span></span></div>
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Peggy ~ <span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".2p.$mid=11431132147601=28d4036ddf42ebd1581.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".2p.$mid=11431132147601=28d4036ddf42ebd1581.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><a href="mailto:Pgrannybird@aol.com">Pgrannybird@aol.com</a></span></span></div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-25346146859927494222015-05-06T17:09:00.001-07:002015-05-06T20:05:27.883-07:00Angels with Stethascopes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>~In honor of Nurse Appreciation Week~</strong></span><br />
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“God appoints our graces to be nurses to other men’s weaknesses.”</div>
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<em><strong>~ Henry Ward Beecher</strong></em></div>
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This is <strong>National Nurses Week</strong> and I would like to salute all the wonderful nurses out there being angels to all those who are ill in one way or another. Our Homeless Outreach Ministry is blessed to have nurses at the bridge every week to take care of our guests. Not just to put stethascope to skin but a listening ear to their words and compassion to their souls. Listen. . .you just may hear the flutter of wings.<br />
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"Our job is to love people. When it hurts. When it’s awkward. When it’s uncool and embarrassing. Our job is to stand together, to carry the burdens of one another and to meet each other in our questions."</div>
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~<strong>Jamie Tworkowksi</strong></div>
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“The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.”</div>
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<em><strong>~ William Osler</strong></em></div>
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“Being a Nurse, is a endless loving act of heart!”</div>
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<em><strong>~ Anonymous</strong></em></div>
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Our nurses are always smiling, greeting our guests warmly and ready to take blood pressures, talk about medications and addictions and ready to listen to stories when stories need to be told. </div>
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This man above didn't seem moved when told his blood pressure was WAY in the danger zone. . .that's stroke level zone. The nurse explained what could happen and that it could happen quickly with the extremely high numbers he was showing. He was told to get to the hospital which was just down the street like. . .NOW!</div>
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We'll see hopefully next week if he did just that or not.</div>
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Our nurses keep an eye on another one of our guests who has his blood pressure taken every week at the bridge. His was also in the danger zone awhile back and was told to get to the hospital right then. He rode his bike right there, was put on medication and is doing better.</div>
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Everyone loves our Louie. . .</div>
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Louie loves to come to the bridge each week. It may be for the food. It may be for the fellowship. It may break up his day. I think he really comes now to see the smiles of ones like these. . .</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God's spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~Florence Nightingale</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This past year our nurses have formed teams and now are a part of Street Medicine. . .they roam the streets, down alley ways, parking lots, stroll through parks and woods looking for people who might need medical attention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Not only do they give of their medical expertise, but grace and the love of Christ. There are those who might not have seen a smile that day except for the smile of the nurses who came looking for them.</span></div>
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I wish I had pictures of all of them, but there are just way too many. A BIG salute to all the nurses everywhere. . .street teams, hospitals, doctor offices, veteran offices, rehabs, schools. Have I left out a place? Let me know~</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>To all nurses,</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Thank You!</strong></span></div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-30703621924588698432015-04-25T08:53:00.002-07:002015-04-25T08:53:43.511-07:00Foot in Mouth?<div align="center">
<strong>"A closed mouth gathers no foot."</strong></div>
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I saw this quote the other day and it made me laugh and I thought, so true. But then I pondered. . .we can't keep our mouths shut ALL the time.</div>
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And then I saw this verse. . .</div>
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<strong>"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."</strong></div>
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<strong>Matthew 12:34</strong></div>
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And so I pondered once again. . .</div>
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What is the abundance of my heart? Is it good and pleasing or not? </div>
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My mouth will speak from the abundance in my heart.</div>
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We have a choice to put into our hearts what we will. Sometimes our hearts fill so casually and slowly with things, that we don't even realize it until we stub our toe, or someone irks us, or that annoying driver in front of us is well. . . you know. . .annoying us.</div>
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And then there is gossip. Even the best of people can fall into this one. How to stop it? Well, just keeping the mouth closed will not work, because time has shown that just doesn't happen. It goes back to the heart. What are we putting into our heart and minds. Are we being careful what we watch on the screens, are we being careful who we hang around on a regular basis, are we spending daily time with the Lord, soaking up His presence and His Words and His love.</div>
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I think if we do, then we are safe to open our mouths. Yes, we are human and sometimes the foot goes in. Thank goodness, He doesn't wash our mouths out with soap, He forgives and tells us to go on and do better.</div>
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So, are you thinking, does Kris have this problem? Actually, when I am annoyed, or irked or stub my toe, I yell out to Jesus. Other times, if others are involved, (the irkers), I pray for them. It's amazing how when you pray, you can't be irked anymore. <br />
But. . .when my feelings get hurt or I think something is unfair, well. . .<br />
Yes, I have taken it to others when I should have just kept my mouth closed. I have felt the invisible kick in the pants from the Holy Spirit and I apologize. <br />
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So. . .thinking back to the quote at the top. . .A closed mouth cannot offer encouragement, it cannot praise with singing, it cannot offer prayer to the one in front of you. I would say that if you open up your heart to good and pleasing things of the Lord, it will be safe to open the mouth. And when the feelings get hurt, I'll just open my heart to the Lord.<br />
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I'm going to continue to open my mouth when the time is right and I will lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and I have asked Him to keep both my 6 1/2's on the ground and not come anywhere near open mouth.<br />
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I will still write what's on my heart, but know that I pray each time before hitting that publish button.<br />
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And if I happen to slip and open my mouth in front of you when it should be closed. . .I give you permission to kick me in the pants. <br />
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-76060083875329921502015-04-16T14:14:00.002-07:002015-04-16T14:14:49.958-07:00Who's Coming To Dinner?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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*I wrote this post over five years ago having no idea I would teach an ex-con about it.</div>
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I didn't know Greg back then, a special homeless man who said I needed to write a book.</div>
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I didn't know then that he and I would get to sit on a park bench together many times.</div>
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I didn't know back then I would get to witness this giant of a man give his heart to Christ.</div>
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I didn't know back then that he would say to me, "I now have a seat at the King's table, you taught me that."</div>
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I didn't know on that park bench that he would take his seat so soon.</div>
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If you ever fear sharing, please don't. You never know when that person who needs to hear will be called to take their place at the table.</div>
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And which one will it be?*</div>
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<strong>Who's Coming to Dinner?</strong></div>
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The first supper we read about in the Bible is in Genesis, chapter three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The appetizer, main course and dessert were all wrapped up in one juicy piece of fruit that was “pleasing to the eye.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who was on the guest list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam and Eve of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t pay money for this dinner, but oh, how they paid!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost of this dinner. . .destruction, sin entered the world, which led to death, nakedness, shame, fear, broken relationships. . .disastrous!</div>
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Far down the time line was another feast, known as the Last Supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guest list here was Jesus as guest of honor and His twelve disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The menu. . .unleavened bread, lamb, bitter herbs, and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ultimate sacrifice was coming to pay for the cost of the first supper. . .victory over death, the gift of forgiveness, the chains of shame and fear and broken relationships broken and freedom restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hallelujah!</div>
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In the New Earth will be another feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the book of Revelation we are told the guest list here will include all believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be invited to eat from the tree of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The G<city w:st="on">arden</city> of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Eden</place></city> had a tree of life but two were told not to eat from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disobedience brought on sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are told as depicted in Revelation we believers will be invited to eat from the tree of life because our sins have been removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m definitely no bible scholar so this may be literal or symbolic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it just goes to show that there was a plan in place even when the first two diners committed the first wrong.</div>
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I don’t know about you but this gives me comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From beginning to end we see God and His plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is just and He is loving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two go hand in hand.</div>
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The first supper involved selfishness and disobedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last supper involved unselfishness and obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first supper, Satan slithers and misleads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the last supper, Jesus crushes the serpent’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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In the New Earth feast, our dining clothes will be robes of righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost of this feast?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Revelation 21:6, there will be no cost…He says, “To him who is thirsty, I will give to drink without cost from the spring of life.”</div>
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Dining with Jesus, can you fathom it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As believers, we already dine with Him, we just can’t see Him face to face, but He is with us always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we act like He is with us at our dining table, our restaurant table, at our picnics?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He not only feeds us with food and drink, but also feeds us with forgiveness, peace, joy and unconditional love.</div>
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Who’s coming to your dinner tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will there be a place for the one called “The Bread of Life?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, let us remember to say “thank you” for all the nourishments in life He provides for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the prayer of thanks and gratitude, let’s “eat, drink, and be merry.”</div>
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*God and Greg led me to write that book. The title is Greg's own words he spoke many times. . .</div>
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<strong>Ya Know What I'm Say'n</strong></div>
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If you are interested in the book, you may purchase it at Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com</div>
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If you live in the Bowling Green, KY area, you can find the book in the Lifeway store and the</div>
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Barnes and Noble Book Store.<br />
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You may click on the book's picture to the right of the blog and it will take you to the book's FB page. Please feel free to come over and "like" to keep up with us and we would love for you to share with us.<br />
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Thank you*<strong></strong></div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-71623953902043131832015-03-14T10:42:00.000-07:002015-03-14T10:42:07.217-07:00Do they warsh in Spain?Mom, it's wash, not warsh. . .<br />
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Mom, it's hamburger, not hambooger. . .<br />
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My 21 year old son stands in the kitchen laughing as I try to say hamburger and wash the correct way. What he doesn't get is I am a born and bred Oklahoman. In Oklahoma my way is the right way. But we now live in Kentucky where he has spent more of his life.<br />
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We giggle as he keeps trying to teach me to say waaash. . .nor warrrsh. Hambuuuurrrger. . .not hambooooger.<br />
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"Mom, quit pursing your lips, open your mouth more. . .waaash. <br />
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"Warrrsh". <br />
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"Ok Mom, let's try hambuuurger."<br />
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"Hamboooger."<br />
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I try it over and over and over in between the giggling. He's cracking up.<br />
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The scene enters my mind from the musical My Fair Lady where Henry Higgins tries to teach Eliza Doolittle to speak like a proper English lady, thereby making her presentable to high society. <br />
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She had to keep repeating over and over and over the phrase. . ."The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain", until she got it right.<br />
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I can say that!<br />
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My son does not care about high society, he just thinks his mom should be able to say those two little words properly. What he doesn't get is that in Oklahoma, that is proper. But I'm not there anymore, so should I try harder?<br />
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I think about the people born and raised in the South with their Hey Darlin's? Don't they know there is a "ing" on the end of that word. Personally, I think it's charming. And after being in Kentucky for ten years, I'm becoming more charmin' myself.<br />
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The the more I think about it, I think it could be charming that I say what I say the way I say it. It's really hard to purse the lips with words you're not used to pursing for and to open the mouth wider for words you don't normally open the mouth wide for. It's SO much work. I can lose the "ing" but I just cannot seem to lose the R in warsh and I'm sorry, but hambooger is just so much easier for me to say.<br />
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I love you son but I just don't think I can think so hard every time I say those words.<br />
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I don't think he really cares. It gives him something to laugh at and I am AOK with that. <br />
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I've wasted enough time here. I need to go tell my son to bring the warsh to the laundry room and then we need to go get some hamboogers. I'm hungry! And a sweet tea on the side.<br />
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Wouldn't that be loverly?!</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-14635406746727679522015-03-01T15:59:00.000-08:002015-03-01T20:33:55.930-08:00Mt. Dew in the Cowboy Boot<br />
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It was just an ordinary day grocery shopping in Krogers, the grocery store in town. Just minding my own business walking down the aisles picking up this and that off the shelves. I rounded the corner when what to my wondering eyes should appear. . .a cowboy putting a 2 liter bottle of Mt. Dew down a cowboy boot. . .yep. . .that's what I said.<br />
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I had to take a double take. He caught me and smiled. "Ma,m," he said, "These boots cost me $800 and they are too tight on my calves. I took them to a shoe place and they couldn't stretch the calf part so I thought maybe this 2 liter would do it. He's pushing the liter down the boot the whole time he's talking. "I think this will work, don't you?" I guess, I just hope it doesn't bust and ruin your boots."<br />
"Oh no, it's not going to bust", he says.<br />
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Now he's trying to pull the 2 liter of Mt. Dew out of the book and it won't come. It's stuck. He looks at me. I'm still staring. "Ma'm, would you mind helping me?" "Not at all sir." He grabs the neck of the bottle and I grab the foot of the boot and we both pull. I notice the other customers staring as they come around the corner and they just keep on walking. The cowboy and I keep pulling and pulling and pulling. Then pop! The bottle came out of the boot. "Thank you ma'm, I sure do appreciate it."<br />
"No problem sir, have a good day." And off I go to the milk section.<br />
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You just never know what will happen when you go out your front door. I tried to come up with a lesson to go with this story...I kept pondering and pondering...<br />
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Be kind to strangers?</div>
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Be helpful to fellow customers?</div>
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If your boots are too tight, stick a 2 liter bottle down them?</div>
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Don't be afraid to ask a stranger for help?<br />
If spending $800 on boots, make sure they fit first?!</div>
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Hhmmm, I'm just not sure. I'm going to have to ponder some more on this one. But I did get a giggle out of it and so did he.</div>
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Do you see a lesson in this?</div>
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Please do share.</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-19584891644679709722015-02-27T17:51:00.000-08:002015-03-01T20:34:52.749-08:00Prayer in the Cereal Aisle<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> "Call to Me, and I will answer you . . .</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">" (Jeremiah 33:3)</span></div>
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People who have known me for a long time will tell you I am a prayer warrior. I have walked and talked with God on a daily basis for 40 years. All those years I have taken Ephesians 6:18 seriously, "And pray in the Spirit<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29356A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29356A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> on all occasions<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29356B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29356B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> with all kinds of prayers and requests. . . " Because of this, I have seen a fallen tree stand up, an non working air conditioner begin to work, a lawnmower that wouldn't start, begin to start with prayer and a sink unclog. . .without cleaners!<br />
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Besides just talking with the Lord throughout the day, I have also practiced going down on my knees in the prayer closet to have those deeper times with the Savior. For about the last 6 months though, I have had a desire to go even deeper. God has blessed me with an answer to that desire. Without saying a word to anyone, a friend gave me a book several months ago called Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. It's main message. . .Prayer. Then I became interested in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. They have quite a story of their own! For Valentines Day, I received their new music CD simply titled, PRAY. When I received the CD in the mail, it came with two band bracelets with the simple word. . .<br />
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I shouldn't be but I am still always amazed when He answers so quickly and so precisely; just like He did on this day.</div>
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This morning before I left for town to run errands, I put on this bracelet and I prayed, "Lord, send me someone who needs prayer." An hour later I was standing in the cereal aisle when there was a tap on my right shoulder. I turned around and it was William, a homeless man I befriended a long time ago and lost touch with him the beginning of last summer. I had been worried about him. And now he was standing there tapping me on the shoulder needing, wanting prayer. He proceeded to tell me about a lot of serious, physical ailments and that surgery was probably in his future. Despite all his problems, he was working in this store. That should tell you a lot about him right there. "Kris, he said with tears in his eyes, I'm afraid, I don't like surgeries, I'm scared. " He wanted prayer. And so I put my arm on his shoulder and we went before the Lord and prayed right there in the isle next to the Cheerios. He was blessed and so was I. I felt like we were standing in the presence of Jesus. . .and we were! God meets you wherever you are, even next to cereal boxes.</div>
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I pondered all the way home about what had just happened and why it doesn't happen more. I get so busy when out running around, thinking of my own things I need to do, the lists I need to get done, and my own worries swirling around in my head. But isn't everyone else doing the same thing? How many faces have I've passed by in the stores, in the restaurants, who were worried, sick, upset and I walked right by them, a Christian, a prayer warrior, and just walked on by? </div>
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It was such a blessing to see my old friend, for him to show up when I was waiting for the Lord to send someone and he needed someone. What a blessing to be available!<br />
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I'm reminded of another book I read a couple of years ago, Praying for Strangers, by River Jordan. She felt led by the Lord to spend an entire year picking someone, a stranger, every day and pray with them, for them. And so many wonderful stories came from that, she wrote a book about it all.<br />
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I guess what I'm trying to say is, what a blessing it is to be available, to be obedient, to be open to others, hear what they're saying and go to the throne of God on their behalf right then and there. I don't do it near enough but I hope this year will be different.<br />
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So if you're out to lunch with me and I happen to go hunt down a waiter or waitress. . .how about going with me? I think the biggest blessings come when you least expect it and no matter what side of the blessing you are on, God will be glorified and honored. <br />
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That's what it's all about. Blessing others and glorifying Him, Lord of Lord and King of Kings, Immanuel (God is with us). . .even on a grocery aisle.<br />
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Is there something you need to be more intentional about?</div>
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Pray about it. He will show you.</div>
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And don't be surprised if it comes with a tap on the shoulder.</div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-62256887797191942952015-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:002015-02-16T06:00:02.168-08:00White Snow White<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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No, not snow white, the fairy tale princess. We had a snow fall today and it was so beautiful. I’m not a cold weather lover but I do admire the beauty of the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard every snow flake has its own pattern…just like people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just like God to be so creative. Only one verse came to my mind about snow, which you will read at the end of this, but I did think of the white horses at the end of the bible.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Revelation 6:2, John writes,</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a white horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Revelation 19:11 John describes this,</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True…then down to verse 14,</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It sounds like a prince charging in on his white horse to save the damsel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, the rider called Faithful and True had written on his robe and on his thigh the name King of Kings and Lord of Lords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His entrance here signals the end of the false powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great battle will ensue and we know the ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will conquer, will take his bride and ascend to the New Earth.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Revelations describes a perfect city with no evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place w:st="on">Paradise</place> is re-created in the New Jerusalem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bet there will be ponds there, but I’m not sure about the snow.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Snow White had her prince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But again, that was just a fairy tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not a real woman, but if she was, I think she would be in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any woman who could live with, work with, and clean up after seven men, and with names like Grumpy, and Dopey, and still whistle, has to be an angel. OK, all kidding aside, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords charging in on his white horse and taking his bride, the church, to a paradise like place is no fairy tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the real deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The bible says our sins are as scarlet but Jesus makes them white as snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile as I look out at the clean, pure snow, thankful that I took that step of faith and knowing how He sees me, white as the pure driven snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this I will be in paradise with Him someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you will be there too.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For us believers, I guess you could say,</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And they lived happily ever after.</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-35422176010114894942015-02-10T11:26:00.000-08:002015-02-10T12:45:28.806-08:00A Valentine From the Homeless Cowboy<div style="text-align: center;">
I met a gentleman who is experiencing homelessness at the moment. They call him "Cowboy" out on the streets. He spends much time writing and I asked him if he would share his latest, </div>
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A Valentine. . .Enjoy</div>
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<strong>(Please leave your comments to Deese, thank you)</strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;">The Broken Empty Vase by Deese</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;">The Broken Shattered Vase: Valentine's Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was a child, how many valentines’ heart shaped candy always said Be My Valentine? How many valentines did I give to you over the years? More than I can imagine in my life. As I see the heartaches, the sadness and the broken dreams of each card I gave you, it said a lot of things. I love you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;">So many years have gone by and here stands a shattered broken vase with no flowers. A card of all the promises I say to you and a broken vase. I left you long time ago in a vase, with a broken heart. All the promises I say to you on Valentine's Day, I came up short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I broke your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many things that I left unsaid. I was not there when I needed you in my life. I left you in tears. I promised all the love to you Lord but, I say to you that I would give to you on Valentine's Day; in all the serenaded love songs like you do with us you serenaded us with love songs so when the birds sing to you and to us I would like to give you the same, my Lord. It would be a love to you like every morning as all the birds are singing songs to you sir and to us . </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;">So if I can give it to you, my lord, it would be like the hummingbirds when they hum to Leader of the band; with lyrics and the morning dove's they are singing to you sir home come on home yea who are weary come home softly and tenderly calling home come on home<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>blue jays: they are singing to you. This land is your land this land is our land to you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sir and the red cardinals, they are singing too, lord and the old gospel hymn My Lord What a Morning and the woodpeckers. They are singing to you, their songs as they were pecking on an old tree. Singing to you like the Old Rugged Cross and the black birds with their dreams and their dear songs to you sir. And it is like the morning has broken, like the first morning, And like the first sunlight, Fresh from the word. And like the old owls; they are singing to you I saw the light I saw the light I saw the light I saw the light into the night as the morning sun, is come up and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pelicans and seagulls were singing to you with dear tears. Aye Calypso the places you’ve been to, the things that you’ve shown us, the stories you tell and so sir we see the story you tell us of the good old book of Agape love. So the eagles are singing to you sir. as they soar through Colorado rocky mountain high and He gave me a home where the buffalo room where the deer’s and the antelope play where never I heard a discouraging word and the sky's it is clouded all day and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a cowboy see’s a love on the open range to you lord now I stand here with nothing but a Shattered Broken Vase which has been emptied over the years in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;">The cards fell short. The things I should have said in those cards over the years and all the love to you”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were promises I was to fill it with but failed to keep. A cowboy's heart is full of love to give but, I fell short. If I can give all the roses that you can see in the vase that is a love that comes from within us, is Agape love that you give us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Lord I come to you sir on Valentine's Day as a broken shattered vase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My love for you is a love that is true love as a cowboy to you sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for the old tree and the three rusty, old nails, that you gave life . . .</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria;">So we can have life. Thank you on Valentine's Day.</span><br />
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</span><br />Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-58401751707084923402015-02-09T07:42:00.000-08:002015-02-09T07:42:11.458-08:00Love Letter to the Homeless<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dear One,</div>
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As you sit under that bridge, warming up by the fire you built,</div>
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Do you know that He loves you?</div>
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As you sleep under the stars,</div>
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Do you know that He loves you?</div>
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As you walk the streets, looking for cans and change,</div>
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Do you know that He loves you?</div>
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You may not feel loved, but you are.</div>
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He sees your every move</div>
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He knows your every thought,</div>
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Do you know Him?</div>
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He has been with you from the moment you were conceived.</div>
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He has always been with you, heard every word from you, </div>
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He has known your every thought. . .while waiting.</div>
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His Beloved Son paid the penalty for your sins because of Their great love for you. </div>
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Do you know this?</div>
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You say, “I’m bad, I’m filthy, I’ve done wrong things, I’ve made wrong choices.”</div>
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He knows dear one,</div>
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His love covers over a multitude of sins.</div>
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Sins as filthy as rags can be made white as snow.</div>
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Do you know this kind of love?</div>
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People have hurt you?</div>
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He can heal you.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Wherever you are, there He is also. . .</div>
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Waiting, because He loves you so.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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You say, “I’ve never seen Him.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When that man bought you lunch, He was there.</div>
<br />
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When the blanket lady handed you blankets and gave you a hug, He was there,</div>
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When that man led you to help, He was there,</div>
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When Salvation Army fed you, He was there,</div>
<br />
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When Red Cross gave you a cup of hot coffee, He was there,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When Hotel, Inc. gave you information you needed, He was there,</div>
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When you were given a good diagnosis, He was there.</div>
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When Hope House gave you a new pair of shoes, He was there.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When that young man witnessed to you, He was there.</div>
<br />
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When the nurse took your blood pressure, He was there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When that lady handed you a Bible, He was there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
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When that man handed you a coat and patted you on the back, He was there.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When you think you are alone, you are not, He is there.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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Dear one,</div>
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The streets can be hard</div>
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They can make one weary.</div>
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Come to Him and He will give you rest.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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When you open the door of your heart to Him</div>
<br />
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He will welcome you home.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Oh Dear One,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Do you hear the message?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Your Heavenly Father loves you!</div>
<br />
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Jesus Christ is waiting with His loving arms open to you.</div>
<br />
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Do you hear Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is saying “Come.”</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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How do I know this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I went to him with my filthy rags and opened the door of my heart.</div>
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He came and cleansed me white as snow.</div>
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He sent me to you.</div>
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He says to us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Dear One,</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There is no greater love than this,</div>
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That He layed down His life to save another. . .</div>
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You and me.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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But death could not hold its sting</div>
<br />
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He was raised to win the victory.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Oh Dear One,</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Do you hear Him?</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“You are loved!”<br />
<br />
"You are loved!"<br />
<br />
"You are loved!"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7wjKm9mkN6l0dG6TsWwNXdCjGW9KucAInI_V-2JAI6509v5iivImqo1_o4OIKTZ7aY5RZ_Z31yxnBByLf3v9nb0FhZF-QOPbUwO65gbtBP1duU1dK5-bdwnHy2YmsIuLwVM8AV2r3y4p/s1600/you-are-loved-green-enough-for-me1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7wjKm9mkN6l0dG6TsWwNXdCjGW9KucAInI_V-2JAI6509v5iivImqo1_o4OIKTZ7aY5RZ_Z31yxnBByLf3v9nb0FhZF-QOPbUwO65gbtBP1duU1dK5-bdwnHy2YmsIuLwVM8AV2r3y4p/s320/you-are-loved-green-enough-for-me1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-27293090899832056042015-02-03T18:31:00.000-08:002015-02-03T20:16:41.519-08:00Grace in the Mess<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>"<em>I'm not helping good people or bad people. I'm just helping human beings." anonoymous</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A group of ladies wanted to help by giving men under the bridge winter clothes and other such stuff. But when they heard some were drinking and the older one chose to stay there, they pulled their things back and didn't want to help. . .and they didn't.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><strong>"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Teresa</strong></em></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">My insides cringed at this. Do we only help and share the love of Christ with only those who have their "act together". How many of those are out there even in the church? Do we only help and love those who have all their issues fixed and addictions cured and sins forgiven. Are not these the ones who need it most?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><strong>"By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just entitiled to as we are." Bonhoeffer</strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I am friends with a registered sex offender. . .a one time felony long ago that he paid for and repented of. When I met him he was newly homeless and scared and didn't want to tell me for awhile. We talked for about an hour and then he shared his past. I didn't react with horror. I just asked questions and I listened. I shared about the love of God and forgiveness. He wasn't sure. Over the next several months, God began dealing with him and brought a few others to him that began a bible study and then began taking him to church. I continued to be his friend along with my husband.</span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><strong>Love me most when I deserve it least~Swedish proverb</strong></em></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Last March my friend rededicated his life to the Lord and has been very faithful ever since. My husband and I can even see a change in his body language, his demeanor, his face. </span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">What if people had left the minute they knew about him. Most of them do. But the few who stayed, God worked through to reach our friend and now he and we know for sure the address of his permanent home. And he is now sharing the good news and love of Christ with others.</span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Grace was shown on a cross on a hill. Don't you know it was messy? Messy with blood and thorns and the ugliness and mess of sins of the whole world. But our Savior, our Jesus, our Christ, our Lord, stepped into the mess and poured out grace and love. He didn't turn his back on me and I for one, have been changed. Have you? Are you grateful? Enough to step into the mess? </span></div>
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<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><strong>"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."</strong></em></span></span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><strong>Mother Teresa</strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Lord,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I pray for all who step into the messes whether that be in Africa, under the bridge, or in our own homes. All places are filled with people who need your love and encouragement. Fill the steppers with strength and courage and love that looks past the mess and sees the beauty of your creation. May you give all these precious ones the discernment and wisdom to know the what, the where and the how and that we may not always know the why but we know the One who does. . . You, and that is enough. May we all just trust and obey and love and leave the rest up to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Father for stepping into the messes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for bringing beauty out of the messes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for not leaving me in the mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Jesus Name,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Amen </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>This was a repost. . .</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The man who chose to stay under the bridge. . .moved into his own place a year ago and is still there doing well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The other one from the beginning of this post went into a rehab in another town over 3 months ago and is still there working it out. I am proud of him.</span></div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-71522943987196433282015-01-30T13:05:00.000-08:002015-01-30T13:05:50.073-08:00Dear Teen-Age Self. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I came across this <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/"><span style="color: #76a5af;">great blog</span></a> one day and found the author had written a wonderful book for teen girls. . .</div>
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<a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Freeman_Graceful-3D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-19049" src="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Freeman_Graceful-3D-261x400.jpg" height="400" scale="0" title="Freeman_Graceful-3D" width="261" /></a></div>
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Her book was written to help young teen girls realize the beauty of God’s grace. She tells them they don't have to be all, do all, appear all. All you need is Jesus, and this book is a gentle reminder to teen girls to rest-rest-rest in Jesus’ love.</div>
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And so in her blog this day, she asked people to write letters to their teen-age self and tell themselves things, give advice, whatever is on their heart. Sounded interesting to me, so I gave it a try.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjtgpC4Y2KGmj3xoNmOw5ow85jTi25BZUMWMpdDDsYK9jOrjlXTWXIpuFzel727L-xHbr17cOPiKR9Y-vpckawQJ_qkiVmJUu-HRokfa_6miRLAffyyEmsBk-UnI795Qvc9frqROGGElI/s1600/Dear+Me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjtgpC4Y2KGmj3xoNmOw5ow85jTi25BZUMWMpdDDsYK9jOrjlXTWXIpuFzel727L-xHbr17cOPiKR9Y-vpckawQJ_qkiVmJUu-HRokfa_6miRLAffyyEmsBk-UnI795Qvc9frqROGGElI/s320/Dear+Me.png" height="80" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Dear Teen-Age Me. . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Thought I would give you some advice I wish I had heard back then with you. . .SO, better late than never right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Hear it goes Sweetie,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't be scared, fear is from the enemy. God is with you always.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">God is bigger than any circumstance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't be afraid to be you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">You don't have to be like everyone else.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Learn to laugh at yourself, it makes life so much easier.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #741b47;">Appreciate the thick, curly, frizzy hair God gave you. Grown women spend BIG money to get the body of hair God naturally gave you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">And when you blow out those birthday candles with your long pigtails hanging down. . .pull them up before leaning over to blow. Hair torches very quickly and doesn't smell good.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">When Mom cuts off your waist length hair into a pixie, don't cry. Our hair grows really quick.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">If people laugh, it's their problem, not yours.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">When you grow into the Farrah Fawcett feathers, remember they do not have to be perfect. Throw on a headband and give the hairspray can a break every now and then.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">When you and your friend decide to dress up for costume day at school, just remember you have to take a drivers test right afterwards; no time to change</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaNpxLMZM7ifpFhlzQXyMo7PDQP-yCvC_clOBt8MKtBR4r3UUf3R2u-1q-M-F1JopbxgtyxZsSHZiJIN37kWERamhf-TEva82l81ryRU_TNCmZBcyN74W-CWnRUXzhXSH1ovMWUMZPuTa/s1600/kris+003-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaNpxLMZM7ifpFhlzQXyMo7PDQP-yCvC_clOBt8MKtBR4r3UUf3R2u-1q-M-F1JopbxgtyxZsSHZiJIN37kWERamhf-TEva82l81ryRU_TNCmZBcyN74W-CWnRUXzhXSH1ovMWUMZPuTa/s320/kris+003-e.jpg" height="320" width="170" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Learn to stand strong on your own and not just when your best friend is beside you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Jesus is with you, you're never alone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">You are much stronger than you think, don't forget.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span> </div>
<span style="color: #741b47;">Talk to people, they really don't bite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Being sensitive can be a wonderful trait, but beware of it letting you get hurt over the littlest of things.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">You can't please everyone all the time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Your Heavenly Father is pleased with you. Rest in that fact.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't stay in the box, get out and do adventuresome things. . .it's way more fun. (I know you dressed as a clown and went to school, but be even more adventuresome than that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't waste your time always wishing for that wonderful, perfect boyfriend. The right one will come along in God's timing and it will be worth it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Quit daydreaming about Barry Manilow, he's too old for you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't stop playing the violin. You'll be sorry that you quit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">When you start writing that short story, don't quit. Take it out of the trash can and keep writing. You will be glad you did.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Make more friends. Know that some are just for a season and some will be for a lifetime. But make them. The more you have the more fun life is. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">I know you love to read, but read more of a variety of writings. The Nancy Drew Series is wonderful, but the classics and biographies and others are wonderful too and will expand your mind. Oh, and when you grow up, Winnie the Pooh will still be a favorite of yours. He is a classic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Get more involved in church and community activities. It will make you stronger and more confident.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Look outside of yourself more and onto others.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't covet the curves you see the other girls having. You are special just the way you are. Learn that now, because the curves never come. . .and it's ok.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Thank your big sister more for the things she did for you. She'll be even more awesome later.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">The enemy loves to lie in your ear. Don't ever listen. Listen to that other voice that whispers in your soul. And learn to kick the other one to the curb.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">You are a daughter of the King; hold your head high and be confident in that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Don't allow your joy to depend on your circumstances or put your happiness on the shoulders of other people. At some point you will be let down. Put your joy in the Lord always and you will be just fine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">You will become more confident in time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"> And when people take your picture, quit kissing the guy and look ahead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcWlfd7p2wQsoIC9FyseevdAd4mTAPAKwSHOqVpEvn35DA2FJGbU1WHWbUdUKA_taArdJ_j8UGiWTJ72RBz2Ia76fyj6z31NxE2hN0NAISgWC_nmcZCrgOU5__0poCFbG2od4YbF_gefZ/s1600/kris+002-e-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcWlfd7p2wQsoIC9FyseevdAd4mTAPAKwSHOqVpEvn35DA2FJGbU1WHWbUdUKA_taArdJ_j8UGiWTJ72RBz2Ia76fyj6z31NxE2hN0NAISgWC_nmcZCrgOU5__0poCFbG2od4YbF_gefZ/s320/kris+002-e-r.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFOXaO-eTfHtYLD_xG2kcK1LgRh5ybOd2uA_Nrb98ht_5wqLkExHlqDJKsPe73Llfl2o9GfYVa-ypc90WnYel8rT8yQxnNCNbxowMW65hBJn4O0pAFbwGlFQmPyfZDhJ7S-6CcXjjWDMf/s1600/kris+001-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFOXaO-eTfHtYLD_xG2kcK1LgRh5ybOd2uA_Nrb98ht_5wqLkExHlqDJKsPe73Llfl2o9GfYVa-ypc90WnYel8rT8yQxnNCNbxowMW65hBJn4O0pAFbwGlFQmPyfZDhJ7S-6CcXjjWDMf/s320/kris+001-r.jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Weigh your decisions on God's Word and not on people's opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I'm sorry to tell you this, but life will have more pains, but you can make it through because You have Him who is greater, He who is bigger, and who loves you more than anything. He will give you strength and courage when you need it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Life will also have many joys and because of Him, start counting your blessings early and not just the big ones but the little tiny ones too. Open your eyes to see ALL of them everyday and thank Him for each one.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Look for the lessons He brings your way and learn from them. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">You made the most important decision of your life at the tender age of 12. I'm so proud of you. It will carry you through the rest of your life. He, who died for your sins, will carry you into adulthood and give you a great life. Don't worry and fret. Look forward to it and enjoy each step of the way. It only gets better.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">You are a great gal hon, keep your chin up, your knees knelt in reverance, hands raised in praise, and eyes on the Lord. Your gonna be just fine.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">You are loved!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">From your grown up, more secure self, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Kris</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybvcEqlawI5LyZ1M4vzRCP7REvwgwZNmG8aLyWTjYsX6p88btLzSiM3E8sm_mkJhK9CIycrrbOeGO_Yh3yjzK_u7vLGNQepjP7iS4G1VAr_NDB4hASBFNvZw9enT9quolV6ejYi0Mqto/s1600/kris-sepia,b&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybvcEqlawI5LyZ1M4vzRCP7REvwgwZNmG8aLyWTjYsX6p88btLzSiM3E8sm_mkJhK9CIycrrbOeGO_Yh3yjzK_u7vLGNQepjP7iS4G1VAr_NDB4hASBFNvZw9enT9quolV6ejYi0Mqto/s1600/kris-sepia,b&w.jpg" /></a></div>
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What would you tell your teen age self?</div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-44204588434482198082015-01-17T12:19:00.000-08:002015-01-17T12:19:31.397-08:00Using My ONE WORD Tonight<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My husband is SUCH a dear! He wanted to help me get started off right this year using my ONE WORD for 2015 which is <span style="color: #cc0000;">FUN</span>. If you want to know why I picked this word, you can read about </span>it <a href="http://ponderingsbykris.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-2015-one-word.html">here.</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I found these in my Christmas stocking last month. . .</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXZhAv1uEJFZWUhgYuExblVL-yqChGpUu4at0MPoYMOc1Y0ZpXDRvEHe5lUUKZouZpethApSWoCGbF4Wt4HEvikVQx4bLlQEFAWCLF9JM5b2Hhx25UnDO_X7MW-U9V6twm85d5XCX_GU/s1600/DSC00748-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXZhAv1uEJFZWUhgYuExblVL-yqChGpUu4at0MPoYMOc1Y0ZpXDRvEHe5lUUKZouZpethApSWoCGbF4Wt4HEvikVQx4bLlQEFAWCLF9JM5b2Hhx25UnDO_X7MW-U9V6twm85d5XCX_GU/s1600/DSC00748-r.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tonight's the night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm thinking of wearing these. How can a girl not have fun in red shoes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiZT9B7Tbd6Iji1JyGbfg_dMo0ej40VUwCujll57pOa1lV06sA8HQpzKI_ESFN9L_4c6FYsEulJKeCaH4VpGRySpohPJww1QRgx9gJsTYZ67Ryb7hyphenhyphenvV9it7ajdQ21j0AJnKe4Oj4WRA/s1600/DSC00752-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiZT9B7Tbd6Iji1JyGbfg_dMo0ej40VUwCujll57pOa1lV06sA8HQpzKI_ESFN9L_4c6FYsEulJKeCaH4VpGRySpohPJww1QRgx9gJsTYZ67Ryb7hyphenhyphenvV9it7ajdQ21j0AJnKe4Oj4WRA/s1600/DSC00752-r.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Someone may even ask me to dance with these babies on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But if not,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm going to have so much fun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">because I'll be out on the town with</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">my baby, my sweetheart, my hubs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He is so thoughtful. Even when we do nothing, if we're together it's special. After 33 years, I've learned that being with your love is wonderful even if you just sit and do nothing side by side, but throw in a night on the town, something that is rare for us, with lights and music and red shoes. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">well. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">you just never know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">One Word Fun . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Here I come!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Did you pick a ONE WORD?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Please do share</span></div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-54768211673525897642015-01-16T14:23:00.001-08:002015-01-16T14:34:53.583-08:00The Mystery Inside a PurseYou can tell a lot about a woman by her purse.<br />
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Age progression shows itself in many ways. Yes, even with purses.<br />
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I saw a picture the other day of a little girls purse, it was so cute. Pink with a pink cell (play) phone inside, a pink plastic pony, a plastic necklace and a "my pony" hairbrush. This little girl likes to be a girlie girl, playing with everything pink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyodXv6LBtx605veg6wDurzIMvjvf6DaCjPA78s87E16uPta8ox9wvnh1BIV7Ac-zdEfYGPe-1KIth7aS21zDEWCZJlrlnDE4ucBzcSMo9xXZXgQ6v7p0iQD7URG5unkLpKrE-2OBlv0s/s1600/littlegirlpurse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyodXv6LBtx605veg6wDurzIMvjvf6DaCjPA78s87E16uPta8ox9wvnh1BIV7Ac-zdEfYGPe-1KIth7aS21zDEWCZJlrlnDE4ucBzcSMo9xXZXgQ6v7p0iQD7URG5unkLpKrE-2OBlv0s/s320/littlegirlpurse.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got to thinking about my purses. The ones I carried as a young mother were BIG, to hold not only my stuff but you would have found boxes of crayons and books and little, plastic dinosaurs ( I had boys). And cars! And books for them to look at and food. This woman is a mother with boys who took whatever would make them happy while out doing whatever. . .mom errands, church, visiting a friend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU0XdDNBH_RzGLqqv5CB-dc6YaAqVxqh-4pMhIIazuphFotaZnIYVXr6Wady0fUL5WZ4lItkoJk_YQEI3OJZVwUh_3bZTzj2GS7ro4V4r_g4mnqUpn6vjM6rSqy-VLPVdXjA-PwWTEiQ/s1600/totebag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU0XdDNBH_RzGLqqv5CB-dc6YaAqVxqh-4pMhIIazuphFotaZnIYVXr6Wady0fUL5WZ4lItkoJk_YQEI3OJZVwUh_3bZTzj2GS7ro4V4r_g4mnqUpn6vjM6rSqy-VLPVdXjA-PwWTEiQ/s320/totebag.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today the boys are grown and she can carry a better, more stylish purse but still big. You would find in my purse a water bottle, a bottle of Tylenol, a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, Kleenex. . .yes, a purse for the woman sliding down from the top of the hill. . .the one heading towards senior citizenry. Now she carries her medicine cabinet with her. (That's why it's big) If you're ever with me while we're out somewhere and you feel sick. . .I got you covered!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBrJ5IiwyVMDFhAiZOv-IMkAsTURDTgyIxlVQ0b-3ECkqcxsvFOZkjLaMR1mNPE-3h7bIrEcdaOXiY3PH8u4yFP9hD_j5U4jGKuLIIiZfaupbdwoS4vfn48clAWS3EFEx2VdAc8A9Gjw/s1600/stylishpurse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBrJ5IiwyVMDFhAiZOv-IMkAsTURDTgyIxlVQ0b-3ECkqcxsvFOZkjLaMR1mNPE-3h7bIrEcdaOXiY3PH8u4yFP9hD_j5U4jGKuLIIiZfaupbdwoS4vfn48clAWS3EFEx2VdAc8A9Gjw/s320/stylishpurse.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the next season of my life, senior citizen season, there could be the purse holding a Depend and pictures of grandchildren. Or those fun things you find in grandma purses. . .gum, lifesavers, pen and paper to draw on, change.<br />
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But no matter what the purse, no matter what season you're in or what purse your carrying, you can always carry a tract to share with others and they make Bibles so thin now they will fit in any purse.</div>
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You would be surprised how often I get to pull out that Bible and read a verse. I've even been known to pull out a sandwich or a granola bar because sharing physical food goes well with spiritual food. (remember the dinner that fed 5000? ;)</div>
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OH, the things you can carry!</div>
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What do you carry in your purse?</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-73315962965190623322014-12-26T17:21:00.000-08:002014-12-26T17:21:30.100-08:00The Golden Ornament (Christmas is Over. . .or is it?)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALVCsHAx4CMQIKAxWktXlc5jcpn-tU7aZ2Y5RgAtmCRpd4tKRB801IV2pLfI2XW3ir90qrOzeRes1OYFLodddyEXT8jwaQr8V-j-U0aSeb1ukvWefWDKz5cbbUIlGg4949WaRZIq7t_Q/s1600/goldenornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALVCsHAx4CMQIKAxWktXlc5jcpn-tU7aZ2Y5RgAtmCRpd4tKRB801IV2pLfI2XW3ir90qrOzeRes1OYFLodddyEXT8jwaQr8V-j-U0aSeb1ukvWefWDKz5cbbUIlGg4949WaRZIq7t_Q/s1600/goldenornament.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As I contemplate taking down the Christmas tree and all the decorations; packing and putting away, I wonder about the New Year and what it holds in store for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What circumstances will I be a part of, what people will come into and or leave my life, how will the Devil try to attack me this year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I’m not worrying, just pondering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As I see the packing boxes in my garage waiting to be filled with Christmas, it’s always a little sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So last year I kept one of the golden ornaments out and kept it hanging in my entry way all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will stay there from now on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the Christmas holiday will be coming to an end, the Christmas spirit can go on forever and the glistening of this ornament is just a symbol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, don’t get me wrong, I never need a reminder of my Lord, He is with me always, but when those hot, humid months roll around, the feeling of Christmas, good tidings, good cheer, the giving spirit that we feel in December, sometimes, somehow gets lost by June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I must not be the only one with these thoughts because of the quotes I found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are just a few. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charles Dickens</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calvin Coolidge</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Keep your Christmas heart open all the year round.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessica Archmint</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charles Dickens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Christmas is not just a time on the calendar, but is the baby in the manger who came to save mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace and joy is not just for December but for always if we accept the one who came to offer it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I think about the coming New Year, I look at the golden ornament with the light flickering from it and know the true light of Christmas is within me, so I look forward with anticipation and eagerness to start it, knowing that Christmas is with me always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not say farewell to good tidings, Christmas cheer, a giving spirit, peace and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That can be with us for 12 months, year after year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have seen people I know along with strangers come together in love and compassion to help the less fortunate this Christmas season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart leapt for joy every time I saw a new donation for the homeless and needy children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is truly a gift; a compassion flowing forth to those who need help, need love spread all over them, need the touch of Christ from another fellow human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May this keep going on month after month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if I ever start to forget, may the Lord use the sparkle of light from my golden ornament to remind me of Christmas, Christ in the every day, of giving, spreading good cheer, feeling joy that only comes from Him, and peace that passes all understanding; reaching out and loving the lovables and the unlovables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">May you all have a bright and shining New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t be surprised if you hear me say “Merry Christmas” in June.</span></div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-26237890024002958232014-12-15T06:52:00.000-08:002014-12-15T06:52:04.357-08:00Are You Ready?I can't tell you how many times I've been asked in the last couple of weeks, "Are you ready for Christmas?" What they are asking is if I have all the presents bought, wrapped and under the tree, is all my grocery shopping and baking done.<br />
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But, when I close my eyes, I can hear my Lord's voice asking, "Are you ready?" I don't believe He is wondering about wrapped gifts and food. He wants to know, am I ready to celebrate His Son's birthday, no matter what. Is my heart prepared? Have I kept Him in my mind during the shopping trips, driving through traffic, going to shows? If the yule log wasn't ready, or if I couldn't find that one particular gift, or if my loved one did not show up, would I still be ready?<br />
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One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did You Know?" I can just hear that unmistakable voice whispering to me, <br />
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<em>"Kris, do you know, that when you're in the traffic, I am with you too?</em></div>
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<em>Yes Lord, I know.</em></div>
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<em>"Kris, do you know when people get impatient, I will give you grace to handle all situations?"</em></div>
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<em>Yes Lord, I know.</em></div>
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<em>"Kris, do you know when you are missing loved ones, I am here to comfort you?"</em></div>
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<em>Yes Lord, I know.</em></div>
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<em>Kris, do you know when you are weary, I will sustain you?"</em></div>
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<em>Yes Lord, I know.</em></div>
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<em>"Kris, do you know no matter how many sweets you eat, they can't fill you up like the sweet love I have for you?"</em></div>
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<em>Yes Lord, I know.</em></div>
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<em>"Kris do you know that when the tree comes down and all the wrappings are thrown away, when those things rust and fall away, my gift to you will always be?"</em></div>
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<em>Oh yes Lord, I know. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul. </em></div>
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<em>"Kris, do you know. . .the babe in the manger grew up into a man, died and rose again and is here for all mankind?</em></div>
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<em>My gift is for all but they have to be told, everyone...young and old.</em></div>
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<em>The people need to feel my love</em></div>
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<em>Please be my hands and feet and tell them it is from above.</em></div>
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<em>Tell them I am here for them if they would but just look</em></div>
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<em>Share my words with them, give them my Book.</em></div>
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<em>Tell them the greatest gift is theirs, just believe</em></div>
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<em>All they have to do. . .just repent and receive.</em></div>
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<em>Kris, do you know?</em></div>
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<em>Yes Lord, I know. </em></div>
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<em>O reader. . .do you know? Are you ready?</em><br />
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-28919659026251555502014-12-10T18:06:00.000-08:002014-12-10T18:06:02.712-08:00The Perfect Winter Bridge Outfit and Why I Wear It<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;">What I've learned by traveling with the Blanket Ministry and standing at the bridge with the Homeless Outreach in the winter time. . .</span></div>
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To take the cold and not let it beat me and not cry, I finally learned the perfect outfit. I wear 3 layers on the bottom, 3 layers on the top with top coat over all of that.</div>
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Keep the head and neck covered by something thick.</div>
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Two pairs of wool socks inside fur lined boots.</div>
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Gloves. . .always gloves.</div>
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Before you zip, snap and button, take a bathroom break. . .even if you think you don't need to.</div>
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Do not drink anything before leaving.</div>
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Do not drink anything while out.</div>
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This will ensure a pleasant time with folks and you can concentrate on them and not on numb feet and how in the world will you navigate in a bathroom while out. ;)</div>
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I am not a cold weather person, but six winters ago, God said to go, and so I went. I have never, never, never regretted it. I found a family, a home away from home, hearts looking to receive and my heart was needing to give. In the process, they have given to me and I have taken from them. </div>
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What is this taking and giving. . .unconditional love and support. When I thought I was going to give it, I found they were giving it to me. OH, and there is this other thing that is all over the bridge out there, it is beautiful, it is more grand than anything I've ever experienced, it flows from the guests to the volunteers, from the volunteers to the guests. It is what makes us not "them", not "us", but we.</div>
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Grace from Christ Himself. HE meets us all out there in the cold, and that is what warms the soul. The love that comes from Him is felt and is given in all directions. When a man with tear filled eyes says, "thanks for giving me Hope", when a homeless lady gives you her gloves because she sees you don't have yours on, when she holds your hands because she is worried about you, when the bearded man comes up to you with cold breathe leaving his mouth, giving thanks and gratitude for his meal, him wanting you to eat so you will be full, when the homeless comes up and gives you a big hug and says, "thanks for coming out for us", THIS is worth the ton of clothes I put on and the boots to walk out in the cold, dark night. I've been touched by God with rough, calloused hands and long, scratchy beards and it is all so worth it.</div>
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I've learned that some of the greatest lessons learned are in places you think you don't want to go to, but when you step out in obedience to the Lord, you find that place is more than you could have ever dreamt of, that where He leads, you will find Him already there.</div>
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I've learned that where He leads, I will follow. . .</div>
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even in a ton of clothes and fur lined boots.</div>
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-84858272936315442402014-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:002014-12-03T13:45:14.364-08:00All I Want For Christmas Is . . .. . .one goat,<br />
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Two chickens. . .<br />
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five ducks. . .</div>
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and a couple of mosquito nets. . .</div>
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After being around the homeless, reading books such as Revolution in World Missions, Radical, and Kisses from Katie, materialism has taken a back seat for me. For the past 6 years, the Lord has been laying it on my heart to live more simply and do without all the store bought things. I haven't shopped in a mall in a long time. When I do go into a store and see all the pretty trinkets that I used to ooh and ahh at, now almost give me a sick feeling. My mind goes to all the ones who don't even have enough food to eat and the thought of buying a trinket just doesn't seem right anymore.<br />
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I'm not condeming those of you who do, please don't hear that! It's just that the Lord has layed this on MY heart and so I feel this is how I need to and want to be now. When my son started college seven semesters ago, my husband and I didn't have the cash for it and we did not want to take out loans that would take forever to pay back. So we became even more frugal than we had been and somehow with the help from the Lord, we have paid the seven semesters in cash and are ready for the eighth. Only from the Lord!!! We learned that we could live without much, make what we did have go further, do without vacations and new things for the home and yard. <br />
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I received a catalog from World Vision and was excited to think that this Christmas instead of gifts underneathe my tree for me, I wanted the money that would be spent on me to be spent on a goat, two chickens and some mosquito netting. <br />
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The world's deadliest creature, the mosquito, kills nearly 800,000 people every year. While preventing this malaria infection in inexpensive by U.S. standards, it's out of reach for poor African families who must watch helplessly as their children suffer and die. One of the best ways to protect children from Malaria - bed nets - as well as critical education for prevention and control.<br />
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The ducks and chickens will produce hundreds of nutritious, protein-rich eggs to feed a family year round. And both eggs and ducklings can be sold for extra income.<br />
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Dairy goat milk provides great protein to help children grow. The family can sell surplus milk, cheese, and yogurt at the market to earn money for medicines and other necessities. Plus, fertilizer from goats can increase the amount of vegetables grown in a family garden. <br />
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To me, this sounds more beautiful than a pretty trinket or something for my home that would collect dust.<br />
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If you would like to consider giving in this way please go to the online website of World Vision at <a href="http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/">http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/</a> and see what you could give this Christmas season to a family in need.<br />
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Another wonderful place to go to shop is <a href="http://www.amazima.org/">http://www.amazima.org/</a>. . .you can buy beaded necklaces made by the Ugandian women and the money goes back to them so they can support their families. With this, you do end up with something pretty around your neck or can give to a loved one.<br />
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<strong>These kind of gifts change lives. . .these kind of gifts can save lives!</strong><br />
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And if you would like to give a gift to the homeless, instant coffee or coffee bags would be a wonderful gift, maybe along with a coffee mug. Hot chocolate and cider bags would be great. A gift card to a fast food place nearby where they can walk to. Also a great gift would be warm, wool socks.<br />
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Please pray about what God would have you do this Christmas shopping season. Let's give a Merry Christmas to those who really need it. The cheer will come in the giving.<br />
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words from Katie from her book Kisses From Katie. . .</div>
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<em>"Lord. . .help me to never be too busy or too comfortable to rememeber the people who suffer. Help me to never stop desiring to do something about it. Lord help us to remember that as the body of Christ, this is our responsibility. Thank you for loving us even when we forget."</em></div>
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<strong>May we never forget</strong></div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-34872423703053725422014-12-01T16:25:00.000-08:002014-12-01T16:25:54.240-08:00JOY<div style="text-align: center;">
When Jesus said "Come as a little child", I don't think this is what He meant. . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>(this picture cracks me up every time)</strong></span></div>
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But, I do come to Him like this picture at times. And this is when I feel He lifts me up and puts me in his lap and holds me as a child, comforts me, and says, "Now, now there, it will be alright my child. </div>
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I've been told by very mature women at least two decades ahead of me with much more white crowning their head than my own, that they still have these moments and they still crawl up into His lap and are always comforted.</div>
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I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one. We all just need to cry sometimes and I want everyone to know that there is a wonderful Savior who picks us up, holds onto us and says, "Now, now there. . .come to Me and I will be with you and it will be alright. </div>
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It may not be perfect, but it will be alright. And when we walk hand in hand with this Savior, when He becomes our Lord, we don't just have to hold the letters of J. O. Y. We carry joy in our heart. We may still cry at times, but the joy never leaves because HE is our joy and He never leaves.</div>
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JOY to the world! It's there within reach. . .do you have it? Do you know Him? </div>
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Don't just see the word. Hold it in your heart.</div>
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<strong>JOY to the world, the Lord has come!</strong></div>
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Go to him and crawl if you have to. He will pick you up.</div>
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I know!</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-11636580017832922412014-11-28T09:08:00.000-08:002014-11-28T09:08:12.915-08:00The VERY Beginning of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever wondered like me, how it was in Heaven just before Christ left to come to Earth as a babe in the manger. Max Lucado obviously has too, for he wrote a book about it called Cosmic Christmas. Here is what the inside cover says . . .</div>
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<em>. . .do we know the whole story? What about the hidden happenings that might have led up to the Savior's birth? Was the arrival of Jesus a quietly profound event? Or could it have been the result of heavenly battles, angel armies, and a scheming Satan? Envision a confrontation in heaven between the King of creation and the rebellious Satan. Threats. Challenges. A gauntlet laid on the floor of the sky. And then the passage from heaven to earth. "There was a war in heaven" the Bible states in Rev. 12:7. Angels battling Satan's armies as they transport the essence of heaven itself.</em></div>
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The back cover reads. . .</div>
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<em>The two stood facing each other, God robed in light, each thread glowing. Satan canopied in evil, the very fabric of his robe seeming to crawl. Satan rose slowly off his haunches. Like a wary wolf, he walked a wide circle toward the desk until he stood before the volume and read the word: Immanuel.</em></div>
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<em>Immanuel? He muttered to himself. "God with us?" The hooded head truned squarely toward the face of the Father. "No. Not even you would do that. Not even you would go so far. The plan is bizarre! You don't know how dark I've made the Earth. It's putrid. It's evil, It's. . .</em></div>
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<em>"It is mine," proclaimed the King. "And I will reclaim what is mine." </em></div>
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<em>"Why?" Satan asked. "Why would you do this?"</em></div>
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<em>The Father's voice was deep and soft. "Because I love them."</em></div>
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Wow! This gives me goose bumps. And you know what I think? Anyone out there who is wondering if they are worthy, please just let me shout a great big "Yes!" The angels and Satan battled in Heaven for you. God let a part of himself leave the comfort of a holy home to come to this Earth for you and for me. Why? Because He loves us. Yes, you are worthy. You are special. You are loved. Let's live our lives showing Him that we think He is worthy, that He is special, that He is loved by us.</div>
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As a new month begins, let's prepare our hearts by thanking Him, our Heavenly Father, for the battle that was won on our behalf, the battle that was fought before that very first Christmas tree went up, before there were wreaths on the doors and bells ringing from the churches.</div>
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Thank you Father for loving us so! </div>
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It is going to be a Merry Christmas</div>
Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-67268395706592268992014-11-26T08:43:00.001-08:002014-11-26T08:43:24.589-08:00WAIT!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before you indulge, sorry, eat that wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, ponder on this for just a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 5:6 say, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As good as that turkey, potatoes, and gravy will be, to be filled with righteousness is even better.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I used to think it didn’t sound right; it wasn’t humble to say or even think, “I am righteous.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that was because I didn’t completely understand the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I trusted in Christ 40 years ago, I exchanged my sin for His righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bible says our sin was poured into Christ at His crucifixion and His righteousness was poured into me (us believers), at our conversion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a gift I gladly and humbly accept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am righteous, not because of anything I have done, but all because of what Christ has done for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am clothed in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God sees me, He sees His Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t see my sin, He sees His beloved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How awesome is that?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is something truly to be so thankful for!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now what I can say and feel good about is this…I am righteous in God’s eyes.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before you bite into the turkey, remember to thank Him for already filling you with His righteousness, and then go ahead and fill up on that wonderful meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t forget to thank the cook also!</div>
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“The righteous eat to their hearts content.</div>
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Proverbs 13:25<br />
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254066980782889853.post-16403452828225605952014-11-25T17:00:00.000-08:002014-11-25T17:00:52.147-08:00The Story of Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/romaxx3/squidoo/squidoo-happy-thanksgiving-scroll2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000;">I'm glad I'm not eating at their tables. . .no brussel sprouts for me or potatoe chips in my stuffing.</span><br /><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /><span style="color: #660000;">I pray your table is full of tasty treats and your chairs are full of family and your hearts are full of gratitude. And I'm sure your bellies will be full so remember to wear elastic waistband pants. . .you'll be sorry if you don't ;)</span></a><br />
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Kristin Bridgmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09020084825858319693noreply@blogger.com0