tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42782443422714003562024-03-13T12:17:10.668-07:00Lessons from the Desert~ Thoughts drawn from one woman's well of personal experience.SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.comBlogger260125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-65496994896804574982014-07-24T09:48:00.001-07:002014-07-24T09:48:09.684-07:00Frustratingly Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have a problem.</div>
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"Only one?" you ask.</div>
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Ha.</div>
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Yes, well,</div>
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I have lots of problems</div>
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but one has been</div>
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frustrating me lately.</div>
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</div>
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I have these <a href="http://www.livingrealdaily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #850b85;">blogs</span></a> where</div>
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I want to write about</div>
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and share things,</div>
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every day things,</div>
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that people can relate to.</div>
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</div>
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Yet,</div>
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I find that I walk</div>
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through the daily,</div>
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mundane things of life</div>
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on auto pilot</div>
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and at the end of the day,</div>
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when I try to recall something</div>
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I can write about,</div>
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I come up blank.</div>
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</div>
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Through the course of the day</div>
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I will "check in"</div>
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on social and/or news media</div>
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to see what's going on</div>
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"out there"</div>
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and before I realize it's happening,</div>
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my thoughts focus in on one thing</div>
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and I spend the day mulling it over - </div>
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and over - </div>
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and over.</div>
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Then BAM!</div>
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</div>
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The day is gone.</div>
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It's time for bed</div>
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and I have nothing</div>
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"relevant" </div>
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(so I've been told)</div>
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to share.</div>
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I am too much in my own head.</div>
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And lately,</div>
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it's frustrating.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdmwC8JFw5dA1OYA3x1cRTAnbb5Sv2ra8SDeQr09CooaykED1bBM2sUbRCQXGpDiifYlZHOIQCZgqPXC4IUT3siH-jdnxJ_TL0Yt1ZFEx4mEM7d_7B_k37eSTFLVfLs0o1ClCiAwjtN8/s1600/DSCF6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdmwC8JFw5dA1OYA3x1cRTAnbb5Sv2ra8SDeQr09CooaykED1bBM2sUbRCQXGpDiifYlZHOIQCZgqPXC4IUT3siH-jdnxJ_TL0Yt1ZFEx4mEM7d_7B_k37eSTFLVfLs0o1ClCiAwjtN8/s1600/DSCF6540.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-73387901592200181202014-06-06T07:03:00.000-07:002014-06-12T11:58:28.700-07:00I Have A New Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For current posts,</div>
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visit my new <a href="http://www.livingrealdaily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>!<br />
<a href="http://www.livingrealdaily.blogspot.com/">www.livingrealdaily.blogspot.com</a><br />
</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGueQcx9HaDvylLGLCBLVcP_hPGN0_QJ9uVneh_YrE_T4HAdpsLrs77keImRgAqHxHcKQoDVoQP2i9f1BTbxVSanrqSBwAegY5IsmbgVZNE_A1LRgTBvj-0htG0d7-mLBxnsqwInZCcw/s1600/road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGueQcx9HaDvylLGLCBLVcP_hPGN0_QJ9uVneh_YrE_T4HAdpsLrs77keImRgAqHxHcKQoDVoQP2i9f1BTbxVSanrqSBwAegY5IsmbgVZNE_A1LRgTBvj-0htG0d7-mLBxnsqwInZCcw/s1600/road.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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New voice,</div>
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new purpose,</div>
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new ramblings!</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-87280816740726912412014-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:002014-05-14T07:30:16.347-07:00Free Will (?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0-emq0z11bTrW9nxTfwy1051wO9gtT16h7aWrt7YZ2bbR4mrKEVyGQRtQ-aaEr3NElgzH-JXvTDyJOfBOpBeOZP2jjhIfGV2z9dKccJzy8ZeHOWv1c-fpBOVsOIq96RMW6dhNTnWyPg/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0-emq0z11bTrW9nxTfwy1051wO9gtT16h7aWrt7YZ2bbR4mrKEVyGQRtQ-aaEr3NElgzH-JXvTDyJOfBOpBeOZP2jjhIfGV2z9dKccJzy8ZeHOWv1c-fpBOVsOIq96RMW6dhNTnWyPg/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span> </div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">If God, our Creator Father; </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">the giver of our very lives </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">has bestowed the gift of free will to</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> each and every one of us, </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">why do so many people spend so much time</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> and energy </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">finding ways to revoke that which </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">God has so graciously given?</span></div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-90163893199014778732014-03-13T08:27:00.004-07:002014-03-13T08:27:52.832-07:00Kindness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqa64Cl585aEPYALfyK_orOIBPrYYTI0bH4c5XjsS8uBZMT3laboXA0nHzzBpNZCNc9JmDtR_rh5lkswt0w19qCQVGvDckjzdCXNqniuhLQj_UoTNCc8dkwa39ph9VxLxqqwDHurSJhI/s1600/acts+of+kindness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqa64Cl585aEPYALfyK_orOIBPrYYTI0bH4c5XjsS8uBZMT3laboXA0nHzzBpNZCNc9JmDtR_rh5lkswt0w19qCQVGvDckjzdCXNqniuhLQj_UoTNCc8dkwa39ph9VxLxqqwDHurSJhI/s1600/acts+of+kindness.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I think to myself,</div>
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what a wonderful world...</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-49985859148400593802014-03-07T10:42:00.001-08:002014-03-07T11:09:20.441-08:00Beloved Child<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWm5GB6m69OmUAFHHYOATEHb12SS88ZXlGKRC3AZ5oCTKm6QHNL_7GTq8Y4_Lfr6vN3-AYS1D39a_UqEhguq1UWHX8KNjSAGdiy9R2mnEA67Frz_dsqZNqbmZJx6IBIdXYbErVwEutEo/s1600/2011-03-09+12.19.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWm5GB6m69OmUAFHHYOATEHb12SS88ZXlGKRC3AZ5oCTKm6QHNL_7GTq8Y4_Lfr6vN3-AYS1D39a_UqEhguq1UWHX8KNjSAGdiy9R2mnEA67Frz_dsqZNqbmZJx6IBIdXYbErVwEutEo/s1600/2011-03-09+12.19.55.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whether you know it,</div>
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acknowlege it, </div>
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like it,</div>
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or care,</div>
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you are a child of God;</div>
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completely,</div>
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unconditionally,</div>
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eternally,</div>
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&</div>
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infinitely loved</div>
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by your Creator Father.</div>
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</div>
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He loves you better</div>
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than anyone you know.</div>
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This is Good News!</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-77244725929506614042014-03-06T11:35:00.000-08:002014-03-06T11:35:02.020-08:00New Revelation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjLM4Q6orboqN9IoYPyeKZ04NnoX3fKF8A2ulV4rGhmCIgRH0T-YjyfAjnKVSii_YLVwfm29nr7tJV0lsN3bFsJU0Yo5C4vsn1QLIyQzoBfpS0Tfm-gjT3GtrOYFMtWQqI3HeUxKFy5k/s1600/Blank+Finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjLM4Q6orboqN9IoYPyeKZ04NnoX3fKF8A2ulV4rGhmCIgRH0T-YjyfAjnKVSii_YLVwfm29nr7tJV0lsN3bFsJU0Yo5C4vsn1QLIyQzoBfpS0Tfm-gjT3GtrOYFMtWQqI3HeUxKFy5k/s1600/Blank+Finger.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Every day that we choose to spend</div>
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in communication with God</div>
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is an opportunity for Him to reveal</div>
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a different aspect of Himself to us.</div>
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</div>
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He is infinitely faceted</div>
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and as we choose to learn</div>
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more about Him,</div>
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He reveals that aspect of Himself</div>
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in us,</div>
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thus creating, faceting & revealing</div>
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the perfect version of ourselves</div>
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as we become more and more like Him.</div>
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This is Good News!</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-10234031677237900892014-03-04T11:18:00.002-08:002014-03-04T11:18:58.661-08:00Every Day ~ Good News<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHitjayFOnJq7kuNgXCIMpsGtBiPpJAJ6fomNjXwLMo0B8bnWNKbOXUk6JKWS1-uZ82Q9HjhDLsZit5WT_yYnf7J_1LKMW_m16Jzh0aiMC_cRHRWmB_3HTHLFcHz7nMoZdDKC-LG_hPU/s1600/DSCF1066-001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></div>
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God's goodness isn't only for a select few.</div>
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He is good to ALL.</div>
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This is Good News!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8rC57Q9OiHT7MvMJYGP6it96Wew9itH4_grDjavCGJkG4E_OwqF-0tzsmBSZH3qnbJubXlVj7rLIu8GSQuz4VgVCy9ixkF7Hxy0qZkB_j8ENgp4GKnedTPAR5VfDDV2cQEmGuQ3-oc0/s1600/DSCF1066-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8rC57Q9OiHT7MvMJYGP6it96Wew9itH4_grDjavCGJkG4E_OwqF-0tzsmBSZH3qnbJubXlVj7rLIu8GSQuz4VgVCy9ixkF7Hxy0qZkB_j8ENgp4GKnedTPAR5VfDDV2cQEmGuQ3-oc0/s1600/DSCF1066-002.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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God desires to have real, honest relationship</div>
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with every one of us.</div>
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He not only listens to us,</div>
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He <em>answers</em>!</div>
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He is the ultimate conversationalist!</div>
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This is Good News!</div>
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</div>
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So,</div>
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converse now!</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-73650211328761637352014-02-20T08:05:00.003-08:002014-02-20T08:05:20.935-08:00Simply Good<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GW7O_6QgAJ9_xF93NLy6gcmQmhHqsSXlL8fXvx3F3SFS4dlkLG3vmEqwi-hcUkdVA-6D7R59uePodd6YqIRy2YkJQEM0QrTjMt4TFRdQxAJQFqmMUyNK0VUeIbUE8i-F7zQu3gxCn8M/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GW7O_6QgAJ9_xF93NLy6gcmQmhHqsSXlL8fXvx3F3SFS4dlkLG3vmEqwi-hcUkdVA-6D7R59uePodd6YqIRy2YkJQEM0QrTjMt4TFRdQxAJQFqmMUyNK0VUeIbUE8i-F7zQu3gxCn8M/s1600/untitled.png" height="111" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you know?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you heard?</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God loves you!</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are (already) His child!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are (already) saved!</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You (already) have full access</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to Him, His throne & His
kingdom.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is Good news!</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said, “Make disciples” - of Him, not ourselves.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said, “Share the Good News”.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those of us who have realized the depth of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His great,
abiding love are to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">GO and SHARE it with others</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> so that they can realize it and
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>consciously live</em></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">within the realm of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> GREAT, ABIDING, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God doesn’t need for us to “get people saved” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">or</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to “save
souls” –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <strong>HE</strong> has already done it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So simple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So GOOD!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hallelujah!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-16227421494155063632014-02-10T06:30:00.000-08:002014-02-10T06:30:45.953-08:00Jesus & Love (on another napkin!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e_qNYJ0njWqFO0rkUWfXQJiq1GUfIRzoDngUWe3KjU6p1urmM-0i6gKyKOhAJp4WrH73-N_eZzD_NTucT7B_9bu_BMMIbDPfxzkWca8wo3Bnq4Gmf1kVMELozHSA-Te2n_iszdg4BUs/s1600/2014-02-08+11.42.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e_qNYJ0njWqFO0rkUWfXQJiq1GUfIRzoDngUWe3KjU6p1urmM-0i6gKyKOhAJp4WrH73-N_eZzD_NTucT7B_9bu_BMMIbDPfxzkWca8wo3Bnq4Gmf1kVMELozHSA-Te2n_iszdg4BUs/s1600/2014-02-08+11.42.14.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus didn’t come to save us “to God”, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">rather He came to
save us from ourselves;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> from the idea that in order for God to love us, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">we have
to perform a certain way </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">or have to “become” something first.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus says,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Look, I have relationship with the Father.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I am
showing you how to – </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and how easy it is to -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> have real relationship with the
Father. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is no need for sacrifices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> In fact, I’ve become the ultimate
sacrifice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> so you can stop feeling like you have to</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> keep “doing” something in
order to</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> earn My love, favor, blessings, etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stop striving and start “being”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Be REAL with God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He already knows you better than you know yourself </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">so RELAX!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
I am with you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am for you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> So, stop beating yourself up </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and stop judging and
condemning others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Instead, “put on love”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> It’s as
SIMPLE as that!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> LOVE. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a choice.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be loved,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and then,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> LOVE!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">KISS, KISS!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Keep It Simple Sweetheart!)</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-22295515857825730452014-02-09T08:49:00.000-08:002014-02-09T08:49:55.469-08:00God's Love (on a napkin!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA4n5hjhwiyL53oDYqI66VhEd-DGj18n2QoctDen_Q86AzntWWE0qXFNwanvXfhbeprJ1N9a7xpWlBuOqJt1x2RxEG4sbYl1udyB2WtjpXorNUwmZQmcvYgIN13TfGwsVR14UFoJ_G-c/s1600/2014-02-08+11.41.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA4n5hjhwiyL53oDYqI66VhEd-DGj18n2QoctDen_Q86AzntWWE0qXFNwanvXfhbeprJ1N9a7xpWlBuOqJt1x2RxEG4sbYl1udyB2WtjpXorNUwmZQmcvYgIN13TfGwsVR14UFoJ_G-c/s1600/2014-02-08+11.41.44.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children approach their parents with questions all the time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, why do some insist that we aren’t allowed to question
God?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Certainly, if you weren’t allowed to question your own
parents while growing up, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">you may view God as being unapproachable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But just because you perceive </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(or have been taught to
believe) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is unapproachable does not make it so.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is very, 100%, approachable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He says, “Come to Me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Never, has His intention been for us to be “separated” from
Him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus lived the example of relationship with Him </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">so that we
could SEE that He desires relationship</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> with each and every one of us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> And
contrary to popular “teaching”,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> we don’t have to “become” anything</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in order to
have relationship with Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus didn’t “become” something</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then</i> have relationship with God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus came here, as a man –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in the same form as us</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> – as the
Son of God (as are we ALL) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and exemplified a real and loving relationship with</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
the REAL and LOVING Father!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There aren’t any great secrets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Jesus made it very clear and
very SIMPLE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The great question isn’t, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are you a Christian?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> The
questions is,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Do you believe?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we are “separated” from God,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> it is because we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choose</i> to be separated from Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is here all of the time (omnipresent).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He knows what we are thinking, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">all of the time (omniscient).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We cannot hide from Him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> But we can choose to exclude Him.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He allows it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Free will was given to us BY Him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because He loves us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is all-loving, all of the time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>And it is His very
Love which draws us to Himself</strong></i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It isn’t our “job” to “get people saved”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Rather, for those
of us who have realized</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> the magnificence and DEPTH </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">of His GREAT and MIGHTY
Love, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">it is our “job”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to SHOUT it from the roof tops!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HE LOVES YOU!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the depth of His very being</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (which is INFINITE),</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HE LOVES YOU!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are not wretched.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are not a mistake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> God doesn’t make mistakes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are LOVED!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if you want to “feel” this Love;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> want it to be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">real</b> to you, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">all you “have” to do is
tell Him so, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">allow</i> His love to
wash over you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It (His love) has been yours all along.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have never been separated from His love; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">you’ve simply
not been experiencing His love (consciously) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">because you have either not
allowed it,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> have been told you are not worthy of it,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or have been told you have
to “become” something</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in order to experience it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">NOT TRUE!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Embrace</b> His LOVE
now!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the natural result will be your own heart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> responding in
Love </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to Him!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HALLELUJAH!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is so, so GOOD!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amen!</span></div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-24088360102870631882014-02-08T13:16:00.000-08:002014-02-26T07:31:16.465-08:00Father God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxuoFNuA_lm8G10JfPgb37muOJcDiXe7voNBiSpv8TAxJVP1J9ukzVa_-lHZeoypeAqP-Y4ypO-UqnBEYvqPtnEZZSkeEK-g6h0Nji2n7nyDJgxiepZcjqjFCke_8HU60ZVDQvlSTSJg/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxuoFNuA_lm8G10JfPgb37muOJcDiXe7voNBiSpv8TAxJVP1J9ukzVa_-lHZeoypeAqP-Y4ypO-UqnBEYvqPtnEZZSkeEK-g6h0Nji2n7nyDJgxiepZcjqjFCke_8HU60ZVDQvlSTSJg/s1600/034.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is not angry, arrogant, unapproachable</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or in a bad mood.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet, so many people view and portray Him as such.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They take their own shortcomings</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and project them onto God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said to let the little children come to Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also said that in
order to know Him, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">we must become as little children.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children whine, cry, throw tantrums </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and ask questions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children also trust.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, to the one who says we have no right to question God,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I
say, why not?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In their attempt to understand things,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> my children often ask
questions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And to the one who says we aren’t allowed to get frustrated
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">or angry (because it “displeases” God),</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I say, why aren’t we?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In their growth and learning, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">my children sometimes become
frustrated or angry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet through all the phases and stages of growing,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> my
children still trust me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As little children, they trusted me implicitly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As they have gotten older,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> they have questioned some of my
methods and reasoning,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> but they still trust me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because I love them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love them
completely and unconditionally.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would never hurt them and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I always have their best
interest in mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In their learning and growing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I have allowed them to be
themselves while</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> encouraging them to learn who they really are. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And in the
process,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> my love for them has never changed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (or diminished).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children will do what children will do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And since God said for us to approach Him </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">as little children
approach their parents,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> it stands to reason that questioning Him</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> isn’t sinful,
rebellious or prideful </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">like some people like to think.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God isn’t angry, arrogant, unapproachable</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or in a bad mood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amazing, Loving, Father; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">that’s who God is!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-61060396048623794972014-02-04T09:33:00.002-08:002014-02-04T09:33:21.972-08:00Body & Soul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
Are you</div>
<div align="center">
a body</div>
<div align="center">
with a soul?</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
OR</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Are you </div>
<div align="center">
a soul</div>
<div align="center">
with a body?</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pMpvrTs7Frl_eQsWqIJvpKVPqyngmgJ675koNr8zwKDKmvIMlwejvWspG-O4skWFZyAabaYyTQ1PdjIiM3-UQ4Uvu21o1NRI2fBJRAGRsQOPL2NtCdfsixhcUn0GUPLzlXFHiXdgkg0/s1600/DSCF3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pMpvrTs7Frl_eQsWqIJvpKVPqyngmgJ675koNr8zwKDKmvIMlwejvWspG-O4skWFZyAabaYyTQ1PdjIiM3-UQ4Uvu21o1NRI2fBJRAGRsQOPL2NtCdfsixhcUn0GUPLzlXFHiXdgkg0/s1600/DSCF3071.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
What you believe</div>
<div align="center">
about this</div>
<div align="center">
has a direct influence</div>
<div align="center">
on many of the other things</div>
<div align="center">
you believe.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And what you believe </div>
<div align="center">
greatly influences</div>
<div align="center">
how you live.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-12291824778250052682014-02-03T11:01:00.002-08:002014-02-26T07:08:47.110-08:00Pause for Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
Follow up to </div>
<div align="center">
"Pause for Thought"</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPur_k-Q0xZPKLeQ8QWAs_pAzNCXcvT3dsz_R8fC1Y4u0QQmZBSQXh8E0hJHv4zFnzcoWfkoSUAs_-BoTgCwgY7EitqNl7cNg_Dyy2lMmpYyyu9MWIMPI-vRcC2kts81bu-tAnLwjfaQ/s1600/2012-09-08+11.16.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPur_k-Q0xZPKLeQ8QWAs_pAzNCXcvT3dsz_R8fC1Y4u0QQmZBSQXh8E0hJHv4zFnzcoWfkoSUAs_-BoTgCwgY7EitqNl7cNg_Dyy2lMmpYyyu9MWIMPI-vRcC2kts81bu-tAnLwjfaQ/s1600/2012-09-08+11.16.30.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Does your </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
religion, denomination </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
or belief system</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
place bonds around people</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that Jesus already said</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we are free of?</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-65214001181763392572014-02-03T07:49:00.002-08:002014-02-03T07:58:29.632-08:00Pause for Thought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnOE7munirU/Uha_ZrxDb4I/AAAAAAAABLM/S7YDaG7FslI/s1600/yosemite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnOE7munirU/Uha_ZrxDb4I/AAAAAAAABLM/S7YDaG7FslI/s1600/yosemite.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jesus didn't come and show us</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we are free from</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
religious bondage</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
just so</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we could</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
find new ways</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to bind one another up.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-66353605671517151982013-12-31T11:23:00.000-08:002013-12-31T11:28:42.104-08:00Farewell 2013, Hell-o 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5k68pHNEpqbylKgTBySiYFUCt3Au_lu0dpUq9tiq2xJEa_moH8-z5A875KPPOWTYqtN1kW-BaISQseUSyM3rWlgH53nUPI_BH1PV0m71vK1UH5n76DVesY3xGJZX-BX9m4fGI2wap_c/s200/june+lake.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my last blog post for 2013.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not sure what direction it will take for 2014</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but I look forward to what God</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is going to do with it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHw9pcGBctA0kdjpDgUuEgE4jyrFVLFuXCkpK_V6aYpSAzqbto4FjHe7lBiupxyi2gDR2SX3-NBHUKB-hBtsTKnI-14GChGmGy8x2oS9IQI9Y421Q_g1ALMSOlnZxXZprv19VFQzgwOU/s1600/2013-12-31+06.43.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHw9pcGBctA0kdjpDgUuEgE4jyrFVLFuXCkpK_V6aYpSAzqbto4FjHe7lBiupxyi2gDR2SX3-NBHUKB-hBtsTKnI-14GChGmGy8x2oS9IQI9Y421Q_g1ALMSOlnZxXZprv19VFQzgwOU/s200/2013-12-31+06.43.03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The camera's perspective of this last sunrise for 2013</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
didn't even begin to capture the reality and vibrance of the pink and purple sky.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hoping that in 2014 the veil will fall from our eyes </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and that we <em><strong>choose</strong></em> to see things through the </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
reality of God's perspective.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxb1IO_8d2PiplJ4iXsnMhUFA2YMo54l9i6ps5aywGBhm8-9W_SnwgLza09xoAuaJUm_-Ow6XBLulN9Cbh4CqBL9hPLxjg6NX2o7oyLFrY_-XAV5iYiaoPEMzsjxSkMDwmj_C-hA2gPo/s1600/77ec88cdba7458c20bf5e123bd09395a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxb1IO_8d2PiplJ4iXsnMhUFA2YMo54l9i6ps5aywGBhm8-9W_SnwgLza09xoAuaJUm_-Ow6XBLulN9Cbh4CqBL9hPLxjg6NX2o7oyLFrY_-XAV5iYiaoPEMzsjxSkMDwmj_C-hA2gPo/s1600/77ec88cdba7458c20bf5e123bd09395a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
May 2014 be a year where we make informed decisions</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
rather than blindly following the masses.</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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In 2014 may we live without fear;</div>
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knowing that when God is with us, </div>
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there is <em><strong>nothing</strong></em> to fear.</div>
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Praying that 2014 is the year where kindness</div>
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becomes "the norm"</div>
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rather than a "random act".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHiQwdhlAwwlQjnSKSPVqilPyEJijtS-wsUd8Ol3_YSeDJD8UjX7Il6Ue7BzOAEttXihVrlOLGFhyphenhyphendKtPdBTOYw-Y3-VfQe91m06i1BuKbRJv2LFau-4mpdLO4uWh6D3d_AHfPhk6pJU/s1600/b6b68abaaa98179db09526a2ba5b67ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHiQwdhlAwwlQjnSKSPVqilPyEJijtS-wsUd8Ol3_YSeDJD8UjX7Il6Ue7BzOAEttXihVrlOLGFhyphenhyphendKtPdBTOYw-Y3-VfQe91m06i1BuKbRJv2LFau-4mpdLO4uWh6D3d_AHfPhk6pJU/s1600/b6b68abaaa98179db09526a2ba5b67ef.jpg" /></a></div>
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Look to and rely upon God in 2014</div>
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instead of on the government.</div>
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Rather than focusing our energy on judging others,</div>
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may 2014 be the year we focus on changing ourselves</div>
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(for the better!)</div>
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Every day of 2014 remember;</div>
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with God, NOTHING is impossible.</div>
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Allow any anger from 2013 dissipate</div>
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and allow 2014 to be a year full of happiness!</div>
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We all have something to offer one another.</div>
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Allow others to learn from you</div>
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while you learn from them.</div>
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In 2014 share what you have</div>
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and don't worry about what you don't have.</div>
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Whatever you give to others will be returned to you,</div>
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pressed down, shaken and overflowing!</div>
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We are each a beautiful creation;</div>
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a child of God.</div>
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Be kind.</div>
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Be encouraging.</div>
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God is good, kind and generous ~</div>
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Expect GREAT things!</div>
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Make it a great year!!!</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-90283425343076971142013-12-05T20:12:00.000-08:002013-12-05T20:12:00.395-08:00Mandela - A Legacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-87131187541534304012013-12-04T09:54:00.000-08:002013-12-17T18:15:32.434-08:00Isn't That Somethin'?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have known the Lord all of my life.</div>
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My earliest memories are from when I was about three years old</div>
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and all of the good memories are of the Lord.</div>
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For over forty years He has walked with me and talked with me.</div>
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He has taught me about Himself </div>
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and continually shows me myself.</div>
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Through my real and personal relationship</div>
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with Him, </div>
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He has taught me more than </div>
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all of the preachers, teachers, evangelists and theologians</div>
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<strong><em>ever</em></strong> could.</div>
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Why is this?</div>
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Because He deals with and interacts with me on a personal level.</div>
<div align="center">
He relates to me based upon my life experiences</div>
<div align="center">
and upon who I am.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
He never changes,</div>
<div align="center">
but I do.</div>
<div align="center">
And as I change,</div>
<div align="center">
He reveals new aspects and facets of Himself.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
No two relationships with Him look the same</div>
<div align="center">
because He has created us differently - individually.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
We all learn, perceive and process differently</div>
<div align="center">
and because He knows us better than we know ourselves,</div>
<div align="center">
He interacts with us accordingly.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
There are no molds to fill</div>
<div align="center">
or methods to follow.</div>
<div align="center">
Jesus is the clearest example of what relationship</div>
<div align="center">
with Him is.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Jesus said that the things He said and did</div>
<div align="center">
were the very same things He heard the Father</div>
<div align="center">
say and saw the Father do.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And He said that we could </div>
<div align="center">
(and should)</div>
<div align="center">
do likewise.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And everything that Jesus said and did</div>
<div align="center">
was Kind, Loving and Good</div>
<div align="center">
because God is</div>
<div align="center">
Kind, Loving and Good!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Isn't that somethin'?</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-65504870564962661732013-11-29T08:58:00.002-08:002013-11-29T09:18:09.710-08:00Holidays & Traditions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
It's safe to say that the</div>
<div align="center">
Holiday Season</div>
<div align="center">
is officially upon us.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Some enter into it after</div>
<div align="center">
Labor Day,</div>
<div align="center">
on</div>
<div align="center">
Halloween or Thanksgiving,</div>
<div align="center">
and some on</div>
<div align="center">
Black Friday.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And in some cultures,</div>
<div align="center">
NONE of these even exist.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Some cultures focus on</div>
<div align="center">
and celebrate holidays like</div>
<div align="center">
Hannukah,</div>
<div align="center">
Ramadan,</div>
<div align="center">
and</div>
<div align="center">
Kwanzaa.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Some celebrate their holiday</div>
<div align="center">
as a mandate from God</div>
<div align="center">
and call all others evil.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
But holidays are <em><strong>really</strong></em> about</div>
<div align="center">
human traditions.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Each holiday marks something</div>
<div align="center">
relevant and significant</div>
<div align="center">
to its culture.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
So,</div>
<div align="center">
we can either spend our days</div>
<div align="center">
being offended by those who</div>
<div align="center">
believe and celebrate</div>
<div align="center">
differently than we do,</div>
<div align="center">
OR</div>
<div align="center">
we can spend our days</div>
<div align="center">
being kind, encouraging and uplifting</div>
<div align="center">
to our fellow man.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Because,</div>
<div align="center">
like it or not,</div>
<div align="center">
the fact of the matter is,</div>
<div align="center">
we are ALL children of God.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
He loves <em><strong>every </strong></em>single one of us</div>
<div align="center">
regardless of which holiday</div>
<div align="center">
we choose to celebrate.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And folks,</div>
<div align="center">
December 25</div>
<div align="center">
is not Jesus' birthday.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
But if you choose to celebrate it as such,</div>
<div align="center">
that's okay.</div>
<div align="center">
And if not,</div>
<div align="center">
that's okay too!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
So,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP-AVMDn1h84gPDCc65YGQHKk51qvpib6bbaF2OaHWxfUxK7DJfPo_4_eihoZBztFKf1LHbgAnRxkEc3GYOc7N4XS1wc_zll_HNlp9fG1ZbyfajldmYsP-iNtF7NsQMCGW5LI0Bjl0Ww/s1600/holidays.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP-AVMDn1h84gPDCc65YGQHKk51qvpib6bbaF2OaHWxfUxK7DJfPo_4_eihoZBztFKf1LHbgAnRxkEc3GYOc7N4XS1wc_zll_HNlp9fG1ZbyfajldmYsP-iNtF7NsQMCGW5LI0Bjl0Ww/s1600/holidays.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Everyone!!!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-82917467766546610202013-11-28T09:33:00.001-08:002013-11-28T09:33:29.495-08:00Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNFqQyxko0JNfMxyIcA050ErpOc6zZfp4_QCS4RL3Ho5WfthQSiSxW_GUq5VmsvvjFXQo3CFQ1ym0DudC0bAuU7CidJu7dO-tIGavL6zL4gFNc5QzquPy-m6Ki2QQwUZ8fx4fn7xFTFY/s1600/thnksgvg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNFqQyxko0JNfMxyIcA050ErpOc6zZfp4_QCS4RL3Ho5WfthQSiSxW_GUq5VmsvvjFXQo3CFQ1ym0DudC0bAuU7CidJu7dO-tIGavL6zL4gFNc5QzquPy-m6Ki2QQwUZ8fx4fn7xFTFY/s1600/thnksgvg.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Today serves as a reminder</div>
<div align="center">
that thankfulness is</div>
<div align="center">
a state of mind</div>
<div align="center">
~a way of life.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And for those who are feeling</div>
<div align="center">
stressed out </div>
<div align="center">
and pressured</div>
<div align="center">
because of what society has turned this day into,</div>
<div align="center">
I pray for Peace to cover you, </div>
<div align="center">
fill you,</div>
<div align="center">
and seep into your very being.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-32862765107630119012013-11-17T09:23:00.000-08:002013-11-17T09:28:52.724-08:00What Else My Mom Taught Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
I couldn't let my mom's birthday go by</div>
<div align="center">
without writing something</div>
<div align="center">
in her honor.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEjWaW8UTZPxQjZbY5bG_h-7FLAZAlO2y1Aq5hPhvm2_Zt-lwN01J65nf7XH0y71CVdU5HZNPPUJTmFmnlHCn-Kf4uvn4cEv4Q74Mo8Hi1JmM7Y8W8cRmX5Kzyv-kia3Wh0P0gdBEYXM/s1600/scan0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEjWaW8UTZPxQjZbY5bG_h-7FLAZAlO2y1Aq5hPhvm2_Zt-lwN01J65nf7XH0y71CVdU5HZNPPUJTmFmnlHCn-Kf4uvn4cEv4Q74Mo8Hi1JmM7Y8W8cRmX5Kzyv-kia3Wh0P0gdBEYXM/s200/scan0010.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
As I have been thinking much about her lately</div>
<div align="center">
there are a couple of recurring things that come to mind.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
One is that my mom was an extremely forgiving person.</div>
<div align="center">
She literally lived out,</div>
<div align="center">
"Forgive them seventy times seven,"</div>
<div align="center">
several times over.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
She forgave many people of many things;</div>
<div align="center">
rudeness, meanness, pettiness, hurtfulness,</div>
<div align="center">
stupidity, cruelty, abuse, slander,</div>
<div align="center">
judgementalism...</div>
<div align="center">
the list goes on.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And she never seemed to hold a grudge.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Perhaps it was because in the back of her mind</div>
<div align="center">
she was well aware of the many things of which</div>
<div align="center">
God had forgiven her.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
If she were here right now,</div>
<div align="center">
she would argue that she wasn't </div>
<div align="center">
as forigiving as I am making her out to be.</div>
<div align="center">
She would say that she didn't always "feel" forgiving.</div>
<div align="center">
But I know what I saw,</div>
<div align="center">
and what I saw, repeatedly, was</div>
<div align="center">
a woman who forgave.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Another thing about her that keeps coming to my thoughts</div>
<div align="center">
is how generous she was.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
My goodness that woman was a giver!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
I don't think anything brought her more joy than</div>
<div align="center">
giving to others.</div>
<div align="center">
Gifts on birthdays, holidays, and just because days;</div>
<div align="center">
a loan because you needed it </div>
<div align="center">
and then "forgiving" the loan</div>
<div align="center">
(you didn't have to pay it back);</div>
<div align="center">
donations for the needy, food for the poor;</div>
<div align="center">
compassion for those without compassion...</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
She gave whatever was needed whether she knew you or not.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And never was her generosity driven by selfishness.</div>
<div align="center">
She didn't give because she <em>ever</em></div>
<div align="center">
expected anything in return.</div>
<div align="center">
She gave, simply, because she was</div>
<div align="center">
generous!<br />
<br />
And always, in her heart,<br />
was the desire to give more.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
It's amazing that when I think about these things,</div>
<div align="center">
I see how easily she lived out these qualities</div>
<div align="center">
which are the very nature</div>
<div align="center">
of God.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Her example of </div>
<div align="center">
unconditional Love</div>
<div align="center">
overwhelms me.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And even though my mom and I</div>
<div align="center">
were different in many ways,</div>
<div align="center">
I am thankful</div>
<div align="center">
that we are also alike</div>
<div align="center">
in so many ways.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5l7rR5n1xZ2Cly4R-JNHB37JJRGe0Mh6V6czhyphenhyphenHA4GH7bZVo2MnZF4b_NyqKvaKhPMTKhGGK-5i2xT4qtZ3dTCZG8UV2yM-dIDcbJI67474KJ8WRibq5rgwZcVXNgQMHrcwLNzNLESE/s1600/scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5l7rR5n1xZ2Cly4R-JNHB37JJRGe0Mh6V6czhyphenhyphenHA4GH7bZVo2MnZF4b_NyqKvaKhPMTKhGGK-5i2xT4qtZ3dTCZG8UV2yM-dIDcbJI67474KJ8WRibq5rgwZcVXNgQMHrcwLNzNLESE/s320/scan0004.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
She was, truly,</div>
<div align="center">
an exceptional woman.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Happy Birthday mom!</div>
<div align="center">
I love you forever.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-55680388115919242292013-11-15T07:29:00.003-08:002013-11-15T09:06:08.904-08:00The Poor Dilemma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
It is interesting that Jesus said</div>
<div align="center">
to take care of the poor,</div>
<div align="center">
to offer a drink to those who are thirsty,</div>
<div align="center">
to feed those who are hungry,</div>
<div align="center">
and to give your coat to someone who is cold</div>
<div align="center">
(your shirt too if needed).</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfCQ8fJE2olp4BgMq2A-XEvXrXp8KBLbZxf4hLBX_hwqK-_eX5sC0rYZzH5uFR5JYkNM2EtS4md45LSMtC1I_M7fWMlIJwanXcMRqazk98esd0zJxWOU-BfC0qrphLiQhTXdkMyNy1fs/s1600/homeless.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfCQ8fJE2olp4BgMq2A-XEvXrXp8KBLbZxf4hLBX_hwqK-_eX5sC0rYZzH5uFR5JYkNM2EtS4md45LSMtC1I_M7fWMlIJwanXcMRqazk98esd0zJxWOU-BfC0qrphLiQhTXdkMyNy1fs/s200/homeless.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Yet, these days, </div>
<div align="center">
when people are presented with the needs of others,</div>
<div align="center">
they pause,</div>
<div align="center">
as if they've been presented with some great dilemma</div>
<div align="center">
and respond with words like,</div>
<div align="center">
"Let me pray about it and ask God if I am supposed to help".</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
But it seems pretty simple;</div>
<div align="center">
if we have been made aware of a need,</div>
<div align="center">
then we're supposed to help.<br />
Period.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-72897190497708313202013-11-14T09:47:00.001-08:002013-11-14T09:50:18.867-08:00Down to Basics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
If we got down to the basics,</div>
<div align="center">
which Jesus said are</div>
<div align="center">
loving God and</div>
<div align="center">
loving others,</div>
<div align="center">
we would</div>
<div align="center">
~ Change the World.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Bw13_9tXcEH8RX3Frb4j2m0LQv5J8DX2-IVHQBAceXqaF_Ty1KMfLb2cf51nmAbb7w4eOfgM3uPEpMzNwb7mI2aQC6fBbkk6Yx7zglD2DBPi_Tofk1HD5UKR2W0MePoQ0t9TLsKyAI/s1600/scan0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Bw13_9tXcEH8RX3Frb4j2m0LQv5J8DX2-IVHQBAceXqaF_Ty1KMfLb2cf51nmAbb7w4eOfgM3uPEpMzNwb7mI2aQC6fBbkk6Yx7zglD2DBPi_Tofk1HD5UKR2W0MePoQ0t9TLsKyAI/s200/scan0005.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Loving God, truly,</div>
<div align="center">
(with all of our soul, mind and strength)</div>
<div align="center">
brings about a NATURAL compulsion toward</div>
<div align="center">
grace, love, empathy and compassion;</div>
<div align="center">
which is loving others </div>
<div align="center">
(truly, as God does).</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
It becomes as natural as breathing.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
If we lived out the Basics,</div>
<div align="center">
the world, </div>
<div align="center">
- humanity -</div>
<div align="center">
would be united</div>
<div align="center">
and, thus,</div>
<div align="center">
be known for its</div>
<div align="center">
Love.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-25134377235042307572013-11-08T10:39:00.000-08:002013-11-08T10:39:12.732-08:00Wasted Compassion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
Compassion without action</div>
<div align="center">
is meaningless waste of emotion.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfCQ8fJE2olp4BgMq2A-XEvXrXp8KBLbZxf4hLBX_hwqK-_eX5sC0rYZzH5uFR5JYkNM2EtS4md45LSMtC1I_M7fWMlIJwanXcMRqazk98esd0zJxWOU-BfC0qrphLiQhTXdkMyNy1fs/s1600/homeless.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfCQ8fJE2olp4BgMq2A-XEvXrXp8KBLbZxf4hLBX_hwqK-_eX5sC0rYZzH5uFR5JYkNM2EtS4md45LSMtC1I_M7fWMlIJwanXcMRqazk98esd0zJxWOU-BfC0qrphLiQhTXdkMyNy1fs/s200/homeless.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
God has implanted within us</div>
<div align="center">
the feeling of compassion </div>
<div align="center">
so we would be <em>moved</em> into action.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
If someone is sad, I give them a smile;</div>
<div align="center">
if lonely, a hug, text message, phone call, card or visit;</div>
<div align="center">
if cold, a coat;</div>
<div align="center">
if hungry, a meal;</div>
<div align="center">
if broke, a dollar (or more);</div>
<div align="center">
if hopeless, Hope...</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDDp3gr6kinjJvGGt0BcRMFVc6aKVfuIFco2p9R3wbbzHBxhp_LIKDgU5NgPwZ5P5MhuJrg0xccWYaS0KBfNk0C10Heoi2_KnBKCnsasLbcF85lYNOsHCl4P8xiL1qXWZDTowVKGh49I/s1600/stand+by+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDDp3gr6kinjJvGGt0BcRMFVc6aKVfuIFco2p9R3wbbzHBxhp_LIKDgU5NgPwZ5P5MhuJrg0xccWYaS0KBfNk0C10Heoi2_KnBKCnsasLbcF85lYNOsHCl4P8xiL1qXWZDTowVKGh49I/s200/stand+by+me.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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If a feeling of compassion fills my heart</div>
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and I do nothing to act upon it,</div>
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that compassion is</div>
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meaningless waste of emotion.</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-10802004821761806392013-10-24T19:09:00.000-07:002013-10-24T19:09:30.124-07:00Waiting for Ice Cream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day a small child said to his mother,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Mommy, I want
some ice cream.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Alright, darling,” she replied.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing that his mother was making no move toward getting
his ice cream,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> he asked sweetly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Mommy, may I please have some ice cream?”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, darling,” the mother smiled.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing, still, that his mother made no move to attend to
his ice cream,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> the child glared,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Mommy, when are you going to get me my ice
cream?”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Turning to him, his mother replied,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “There is no ice
cream right now, darling.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Angrily, the child whined, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then why did you say that I
could have some?”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because, love, when there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> some ice cream, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">you shall have some.”</span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch the following day the child asked, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mommy,
may I please have some ice cream?”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes my love,” the mother replied.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Today?” the child asked.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No,” the mother replied, “there is no ice cream today.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disappointed, the child asked,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Mommy, can we go and get
some ice cream?”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not today,” the mother replied.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When </i>can
we get some ice cream?” the child moaned.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Soon, my love,” the mother crooned.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Resigned, the child sighed.</span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The child awoke the next day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> sure that it must be the
day for ice cream.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mommy!” he gushed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Today must be the day we go and get
ice cream!”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No darling, not yet,” she soothed.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But Mommy, why?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why can’t we get ice cream today? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
don’t understand!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> You’re just mean!”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Patience, my darling.”</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frustrated and angry, the child stormed off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> He didn’t
understand why his mother said that he could have ice cream </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">if she had no
intention of giving him any.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why was she being so cruel?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Didn’t she love him?</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day after the child awoke from his afternoon nap</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> his
mother loaded him into the car and drove</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to the fanciest ice cream parlor he
had ever seen.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inside, in the middle of the room, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">was a table decorated
with confetti, streamers and balloons.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Above it hung a banner that said, “Happy Ice Cream Day!”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the table was a dish </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">filled with his favorite flavor
of ice cream,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> topped with all of his favorite toppings.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He couldn’t believe his eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He turned to his mother,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Oh thank you Mommy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you!
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’re the best!”</span></div>
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********<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, it would have been much easier </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">for both the mother
and her child if she had, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">on the first day he had asked,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>simply gone to the store and bought some ice
cream.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, knowing the heart of her child,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> long before he
had even asked for ice cream,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> the mother had planned this day.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though buying ice cream right away</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> would have been
simpler and instantly gratifying to her child, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">the mother knew that doing so</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
would leave no lasting impression on her son.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the memory of the surprise trip</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to the ice cream shop
would remain with him forever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">********</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lord gave me this analogy nearly two years ago, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">in
the midst of my own waiting.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Ice Cream Day has yet to come,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> but when it does, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">oh
what a day it will be!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
</div>
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SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278244342271400356.post-42690559174012349462013-10-16T10:44:00.002-07:002013-10-16T10:44:51.463-07:00Control<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There is <em>always </em>one thing</div>
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that we have control over</div>
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and</div>
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the <em>complete</em> ability to change </div>
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~ourself.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPHBLlWE9A9y5CfRhTwmjr6SlN7_8AKR1tu_K7qozTkpDsbN1g1OQDTJUNT1d1h7epV3cGVCUvPgLvEc7n-46K8m7ZTnvOe1onp26HyEDDPUVSNre7tG-7kNdUaxl-VDR2oppA-Aiy74/s1600/e4d982c6c8220d7460f52ed4ef4f0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPHBLlWE9A9y5CfRhTwmjr6SlN7_8AKR1tu_K7qozTkpDsbN1g1OQDTJUNT1d1h7epV3cGVCUvPgLvEc7n-46K8m7ZTnvOe1onp26HyEDDPUVSNre7tG-7kNdUaxl-VDR2oppA-Aiy74/s200/e4d982c6c8220d7460f52ed4ef4f0890.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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If every person</div>
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would look inward</div>
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and</div>
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change one negative aspect</div>
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of their person</div>
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into something <em>positive</em>,</div>
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we would inadvertently change</div>
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the world.</div>
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<em></em></div>
</div>
SagebrushFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15013987477551669408noreply@blogger.com0