tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24814180306325998082024-03-18T20:37:03.846-07:00With God All Things Are PossiblePraying by Faith * Expecting an Answer * Accepting God's Will Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-22223382865558467002017-02-16T20:13:00.001-08:002017-02-16T20:13:33.098-08:00A Picture of Meekness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a horse owner, I’ve always
been inspired by those horse trainers who can lead and direct their horses
around them with no halter or lead line, just by a signal with their hand or
tip of a shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most thrilling
thing of all is to watch a horseman or horsewoman ride their horse bridleless at
a full gallop, skid to a sliding stop, and spin on a dime; horse and rider
working as one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something I aspire to
get close to accomplishing with a horse one day.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1A15Sw6Wotn3tN0isECm9sRwBX_97-0xtl_gEFASH3IqPXNo0JLjz2CDcv6RVbhS-N3Dam2d7Lp-K0E_Dmb64ZZ-8YaCFt2v_cMv4H0BN4LZDiN8NAvKR42RAtF7GLMGdui9jtA4dZI/s1600/Screenshot_2017-02-16-21-42-53-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1A15Sw6Wotn3tN0isECm9sRwBX_97-0xtl_gEFASH3IqPXNo0JLjz2CDcv6RVbhS-N3Dam2d7Lp-K0E_Dmb64ZZ-8YaCFt2v_cMv4H0BN4LZDiN8NAvKR42RAtF7GLMGdui9jtA4dZI/s320/Screenshot_2017-02-16-21-42-53-1.png" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://http//pin.it/827EP2L" target="_blank">http//pin.it/827EP2L</a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seeing the potential of a
horse working willingly with a human without even a bit or bridle caused me to
wonder at the verse in Psalms 32:9 that says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Be
ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth
must be held in with bit or bridle, lest they come near unto thee.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I read that I would wonder, "What about
those horses that can be controlled without it?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I read something someone had written on the topic of submission to
God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, we must consider the
verse before it that says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I will
instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will guide thee with mine eye.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guide thee with mine eye? What did God
mean by that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone explained it this
way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever watched a parent with
their child?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A parent, who is consistent
in their discipline and has the respect and attention of their child, can
reprove or approve the child with just a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what God is talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wants us to know Him and be submitted to His will so much that it won’t
take much for us to respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It requires
a meek spirit.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://http//pin.it/sG5qZbC" target="_blank">http//pin.it/sG5qZbC</a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, if a person is just
learning God’s ways and has a tendency still to rebel, not having yielded himself
fully to the will of God, he will experience God’s discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like a young horse who is learning to
be ridden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has not fully learned to
be attentive to the riders subtle cues so must be “reigned in” and held back
with the bridle to keep him from running away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trainer of that bridleless horse would
tell you that their horse wasn’t always that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started out with a saddle and bridle and I
wouldn’t be surprised if that horseman didn’t hit the ground a few times due to
that horse challenging their authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But as that horse learned to trust its master and saw that his will was best,
the bridle was no longer needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the illustration
God used is accurate and the thrilling picture of the rider on the bareback bridleless
horse does not defy what God is teaching in this verse, but rather is a
beautiful picture of what it looks like to be sensitive and submitted to the
Master’s will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How often am I like a young horse learning
to obey? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes I really feel like
bucking the system, or rearing in fear, or pawing in frustration.</span><br />
<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daily, as I learn to trust my Lord and Master,
Jesus Christ, I realize His way is best and I choose to humble myself,
submitting to His will instead of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I learn to trust Him in the new and unfamiliar
situations He places me in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I learn
to love Him, I see the people He has placed in my life as opportunities to
demonstrate the changes He has made in my life and the love that I have for
Him.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-51132456757423762882015-11-29T16:18:00.001-08:002015-11-29T17:14:43.413-08:00Choose Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love it when my day goes great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">… jump out of bed
when my alarm clock beeps and stay ahead of schedule all day</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…get all the meals
made on time</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…the horses greet me
at the gate</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">… play all the right
notes on my piano piece</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…the vehicle starts
like a charm,</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…and the cows graze contentedly
in the pasture.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those are the days I feel happy and am so glad to be
alive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m fooled into believing this is
joy—a feeling one has when everything is going fine!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, what about the
days when:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I …hit the snooze
button, wake up late, and run behind on everything I had planned</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…burn the meal because
I had the heat cranked up to make it cook a little faster</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…the horses high tail
it to the other end of the pasture when I rattle the gate chain</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…I end my piano piece
on the wrong note, making myself and any musical ear cringe</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…the battery’s dead on
the vehicle I was going to drive because somebody left the door ajar</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…and the cows walked
the creek and are running down the road for the second time this week!</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those are the days joy seems like a faint memory and an impossible
attitude to embrace in the midst of my stressed, chaotic, and frustrating day!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How can one have joy when everything seems to be going wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When life takes a turn for the worse? What if
it looks like life is going to be rough for a while?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has helped me to realize that joy doesn’t
come from people, things, or circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It comes from God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that means
joy doesn’t come from one’s family, friends, spouse, money, pets, car, the
weather, holidays, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God
frustrates every source of joy, it is then we are forced to seek out joy in what
should have been our only source: God, the only real lasting joy you’ll ever
find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Habakkuk 3:18 (NLT) says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yet I will <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>rejoice</b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">in the Lord</span></span>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>joyful</b> in</span> the <span style="font-size: x-large;">God</span> of my salvation!”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now for you to fully
understand the significance of this verse you must read the one before it: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines, even though the olive crop fails, and the
fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the
cattle barns are empty.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now do you
see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After explaining what would be a gardener,
farmer, or rancher’s worst nightmare, Habakkuk challenges his readers to
rejoice in the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is that possible?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is the giver of joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just have to ask for and choose to have
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stop worrying and start praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stop complaining, start thanking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stop pouting, start praising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you stop to consider who God is and his greatness, the
bleakness of any circumstance fades in the brilliance of God’s glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose joy, God’s joy!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span style="font-size: x-large;">Rejoice in the Lord</span>
always and again I say, Rejoice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Philippians 4:4</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Thou wilt show me the
path of life: <span style="font-size: x-large;">in Thy presence is fullness of joy</span>; at Thy right hand there are
pleasures for evermore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 16:11</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span style="font-size: x-large;">Rejoice the soul of
thy servant</span>: for unto thee,<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">O Lord</span></span>, do I lift up my soul.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 86:4</i></span></span></div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-42042369418429984582015-10-21T16:15:00.000-07:002015-10-21T16:15:20.658-07:00Letting God Change My NormalToday, I had to get out of the house for a minute and clear my head. I
was venting in my journal when I found myself about to write, "I wish
things could just be normal." A comment from a friend about "Changing Normal" popped into my
head. I have to admit, the comment on changing normal had sort of
convicted me. I don't always look at change as a good thing and when I
don't mind change, it's because it's not really changing me--not like
when God changes things. Caring for my grandmother with dementia is not
what I would consider normal, looking at photos of her as I remember
her as a kid makes me wish she was still that same grandma that used to
laugh and joke with us. Finding humor and laughing with your family at
weird things and sometimes just acting downright crazy to be silly just
to help each other cope is not what I would have considered normal, but I
see that laughter is one of the things that helps to ease our tension
and stress. Going to church in separate vehicles and having one or more
of us missing at church, is not what I would consider normal, we used
to always go together as a family. Even how I spend
time with God would not be considered normal a year ago. My prayer and
Bible time has a whole new depth and meaning to it that wasn't there
before. This week I was challenged by Isaiah 43:15-16<i>.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, <b>I will do a new thing</b>, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and and rivers in the desert."</i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So as I look at how God is constantly changing things, I'm glad I'm not
the one defining normal. I guess my outlook on life should be, "So,
God, what's new?" rather than groaning cause things just changed or got
harder. <br /><br />The other hard thing is letting God do the changing
when it comes to heart issues. I'm realizing why these last couple
weeks have been such a struggle. I know what God wants me to change,
but I think I need to do something, when in reality I don't need to do
anything! I need to let the Holy Spirit do the work in me. Sometimes
it's hard to let go and let God.<br /><br /><br />
<br /><i>"And do not be conformed to this world, but <b>be transformed</b> by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that <b>good </b>and <b>acceptable </b>and <b>perfect <u>will of God</u></b>." Romans 12:3</i><br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So my challenge for the week: "Let Christ change you!"</div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-8184396118601250202015-10-13T19:07:00.000-07:002015-10-13T19:07:39.543-07:00Harvest Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is something about harvest time on the farm. Hard work, dust, brown beans, golden corn, diesel engines roaring...the excitement of fields ripe for harvest! </div>
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Beans are done, on to the corn!</div>
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Picking corn to fill the crib. The ear corn will be ground up to feed our market steers and heifers.</div>
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Corncrib full. Time to fill the bin and haul loads to town. Look at that combine go!</div>
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Here's our Allis Chalmers grain hauling crew!</div>
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I found these wagon tongues hitched to the tractors to be a farmyard version of hurdles. So, I challenged my sister to run this on our way to and from shutting in the chickens by the barn. </div>
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I love being a farm girl!</div>
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-36635005668058342762015-10-13T18:13:00.001-07:002015-10-13T18:13:52.493-07:00God's To Do List<div id="lyrics-body-text">
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I wrote this a while back in the summer and thought it's about time I posted this. <br />
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Today as we were playing a CD by the Spoken 4 Quartet, I was able to really listen to the words of a song titled "Only Here for a Little While".<i> </i>As I continued to listen, I realized this song reflected what God had been teaching me this week. I felt like my life lately had been going really well, almost too good to be exact, which bothered me. When life seems to be going how I want, that's when my focus on God starts to wain. I began to ask God to show me if there was anything in my life that He wanted me to change or work on. Look out! When you pray in that way, He is sure to show you and fast! One night, the Holy Spirit began pointing out some things that I needed to work on. I began to feel a little overwhelmed by the challenge and asked God to make the changes in me that needed to be made as I knew that I couldn't do it on my own. I thanked Him for showing them to me and that I didn't have to go through a major trial in order to reveal them to me. I went to bed feeling a lot more at peace, but that peace was soon to be tormented or should I say the expectations for my schedule for that week would be tormented.</div>
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Most every person has a list. A list of things to do. A list can be
good. It can give a person direction and order when there is an
overwhelming variety of things to do. It's also helpful to remind a
forgetful and tired brain. For some it can become the list of failure
when at the end of the day the items to do are left undone--lacking the
triumphant line of completion drawn through the middle. I knew that God
had been showing me that I needed to focus on building relationships
with my family, I also needed to practice putting the needs of others
before my own, helping someone else complete there "to dos" even if it
meant putting off my own "to dos" till later. </div>
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The next morning was going really well, and I was thinking, <i>"Wow! I'm ahead of schedule, maybe I will be able to get all the stuff on my list done today." </i> Then 10a.m. came around and an unexpected visitor exited our house with his mother who had come to help our family. My brothers were both gone and I realized this kid would need something to do. <i>"Ok, God, I see what you're doing, even though it means I won't get those gobs of zucchini preserved this morning."</i> </div>
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"So what are you good at...basketball, baseball, football?" "Football" came the reply. I found a football and a Frisbee and got my two youngest siblings to play catch with us. My siblings played for a while, but soon lost interest. I am not very good with a football, but my catch improved and as the football went back and forth so did our conversation. Pretty soon I found out what sorts of things interested this 13 year old boy: military/army, fishing, hunting. <br />
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Another day, I was heading out to the garden to plant some fall produce, when my youngest sibling asked me if I could play with him. At first I said no, but then I thought to myself, <i>"So you are too busy to give up 5 minutes to spend some quality time with your little brother?"</i> I sighed and turned around, "I can play Frisbee with you for a little while." I watched his face light up and observed with admiration as his ability to catch the Frisbee improved. There were other opportunities that God threw in, having the neighbor kid stay at our house for a few hours while a storm blew through, honoring Dad's request to get the weeds taken care of in the yard at our old house, redoing the electric fence with my brothers after finding that the coons had gotten into the sweet corn patch because the corn got blown over from the storm, and dropping all my original plans for the day to drive an hour to help my grandparents. Now don't get me wrong, I still struggled to respond with the right attitude to some of these situations and I had to apologize at times for overreacting. Little by little, I was learning to let go of my idea of what needed to be done and adopt God's idea of what needed to be done for each day. Trusting God to give me the time to get done what I needed to do later in the day, if He felt it was necessary. In the words of this song God was challenging my thinking by causing me to ask myself, "What's the hurry, why the running?" </div>
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<i>Today I stood singin' songs and sayin','Amen'<br />
Saying goodbye to an old friend who seemed so young<br />
He spent his life workin' hard to chase a dollar<br />
Putting off until tomorrow the things he should have done</i></div>
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<i>Made me start thinking, "What's the hurry, why the runnin'?<br />
I don't like what I'm becoming, gonna change my style<br />
Take my time and I take it all for granted<br />
'Cause we're only here for a little while"</i></div>
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<i>Let me love like I'll never see tomorrow<br />
Treat each day as though it's borrowed<br />
Like it's precious as a child</i></div>
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<i>Oh, take my hand<br />
Let us reach out to each other<br />
'Cause we're only here for a little while</i></div>
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<i>I'm Gonna hold who needs holdin'<br />
Mend what needs mendin'<br />
Walk what needs walkin'<br />
Though it means an extra mile</i></div>
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<i>Pray what needs prayin'<br />
Say what needs sayin'<br />
'Cause we're only here<br />
For a little while</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i>"Only Here for a Little While" was written by Leigh, Richard C / Holyfield, Wayland. </span></div>
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It's time to change my style! I'm asking God to let me love like I'll never
see tomorrow, treat each day as though it's borrowed, like it's
precious as a child. I'm learning to hold who needs holding, mend what needs mending, walk what needs walking--even though it means an extra mile--, pray what needs praying, and say what needs saying. After all what will matter in eternity? I need to remember that in God's eyes, I'm only here for a little while.</div>
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So at the end of the day, even if my to do list remains, it doesn't mean I failed at getting something done, but that I succeeded in getting what God would have me get done! </div>
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<a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/only-here-for-a-little-while-lyrics-billy-dean.html#ixzz3gxXJ8yxq" style="color: #003399;"></a> </div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-63977848831015481332015-07-02T19:42:00.000-07:002015-07-02T19:42:23.806-07:00True Beauty<div style="text-align: center;">
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The world is good at causing women to be discontent with the way that God made them. Often a woman is defined as attractive by her outward appearance. Perhaps the attention should be focused on a woman's inward beauty--her character, her faith in God, her heart. As the years go by and age changes ones figure, beauty will fade, but inward beauty will still remain. Be content with who God created you to be. He thinks you're beautiful and no one else's opinion should matter to you. You are loved. Fall in love with Jesus whose love for you will never end.</div>
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<b><i>Grace will make you beautiful.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Make godliness and inward beauty your priority.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"The church should be a veritable beauty parlor, because it encourages its women members to adorn themselves with good deeds. Women need to remember that if nature has made them plain, grace can make them beautiful, and if nature has made them beautiful, good deeds can add to their beauty."</i></b><br />
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<i>"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, <u>the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight</u>." 1 Peter 3:4 (NIV)</i><br />
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-24473880928559863232015-06-18T14:50:00.000-07:002015-06-18T14:50:40.794-07:00TrustHave you had one of those days, where you just feel grumpy? It's not really because of what anyone else is doing or that things are going particularly bad, it's just that your mind is overwhelmed. I was having one of those days. The interesting thing was, that what I had read in my Bible reading that morning had been all about rejoicing in the Lord. I had been amazed at how over and over again throughout the Bible, whenever joy is mentioned so is God. True joy comes complete trust in the Lord. The only thing that can bring my heart joy is God, no other person or thing. <br />
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It was a hot muggy afternoon and my clothes were sticking to my skin as I crouched down to pull some weeds from beneath a potato plant. Although weeding used to seem rather wearisome to me, I've begun to look forward to it as the time that I spend alone in deep thought (sometimes I wonder if it gives me too much time to think) but it's also when I talk to God. I also try to listen to His Spirit reminding me of things that I've been taught growing up, in a sermon, or during my devotions. Today, my conversation was not one of praise to the Lord, but rather one of discouragement. <em> "God how am I going to do all that needs to be done this week? There's all these decisions and opportunities that I have to make. I'm so confused. I don't like these in between times. I want to know what's right and what wrong, whether to do something or not, and if this will work or not. I don't like not knowing."</em> I was silent for a while. Suddenly I sat up and paused as I seemed to hear God say, "Trust". <em>"That's true. I'm not trusting, You,"</em> I thought. If I had been, these things that were heavy on my heart and mind wouldn't be bothering me. I was afraid to trust in my loving Heavenly Father who knows what's best for me better than I do. I wrestled with my thoughts but finally with some reluctance, surrendered the cares of my heart and burdens on my mind to Christ. I sighed, even though I was letting God take the reigns, I still felt like God was shaking up my life, leaving my thoughts swirling in a sea of confusion. <br />
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That night on our way to prayer meeting, a part of me really hoped that what we would be studying tonight would be just what I needed, but another part of me doubted that it would have much inspiration. God disproved my doubts. The study was about Abraham. Oh, how that man trusted God! Trust, it had been what God had told me that I needed to do. God was reaffirming in my mind that He indeed was asking me to trust Him. My thoughts traveled back to something that a friend had shared with me that morning. I had apologized for showing up late and commented on not knowing where my life is headed right now. They had responded, that a true disciple of Jesus doesn't always know exactly what is going on in their life, because they are a follower of Jesus and He is the One directing their life. When Jesus told His disciples that He was going to leave them --going to die on the cross-- they didn't understand. They were probably thinking, "What?" Sometimes what God says or does, isn't going to make sense to us, because it's not our way, it's His. Just like when God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham may have been thinking, "You want me to do what? I don't understand. I waited so long. You promised me this son. Why would God ask me to kill him, not just that but sacrifice him, a pagan practice?" God was testing Abraham. Would Abraham trust God? Yes. I don't know if I could have done what Abraham did, but I'm not Abraham. I'm Hannah and God gives instructions that are specific for me and I must choose to trust Him even if it doesn't always make sense. <br />
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Trust God, even if it doesn't make sense.Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-89174593101765426652015-05-21T20:30:00.001-07:002015-05-21T20:30:52.693-07:00Ready to Work!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I heard some quotes this week that got me thinking about working on the farm. I thought I'd do a little traveling back into the past while honoring the hard working farm families out there. We need more young men and women who are willing to work! Youth that have a willingness to work are rare and are greatly appreciated. There are jobs available for those who are willing to put their hands and brain to work! </span></span><i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." --Thomas Edison</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Working with the hands sets the brain to work."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>--Charles C. Coffin </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's great being a farm kid!</span></div>
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<span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;">Go to the ant, you sluggard!</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;">Consider her ways and be wise,</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times", serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: super;"></span> Which, having no captain,</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;">Overseer or ruler,</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times", serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: super;"></span> Provides her supplies in the summer,</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;"><em>And</em> gathers her food in the harvest.</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times", serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: super;"></span>How long will you slumber, O sluggard?</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;">When will you rise from your sleep?</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times", serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: super;"></span> A little sleep, a little slumber,</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;">A little folding of the hands to sleep--</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times", serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: super;"></span> So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,</span><span style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4em; text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;">And your need like an armed man.</span></div>
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Proverbs 6:6-11 </div>
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-15807065609651467022015-05-18T19:42:00.000-07:002015-05-18T19:42:52.452-07:00Hitting the Dirt<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><i>"Wisdom is knowing that you know nothing."</i></u><br />
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<i>This saying rang true for me last Friday as I found the young horse I was training turn into a real bucking bronco that caused me to literally "hit the dirt" and think frustratedly "What made me think I could train a horse? I know nothing about horse training!" </i></div>
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If he does that one more time, I'm a goner, I thought as I rode the biggest buck I'd ever felt. I closed my eyes as I knew where I was headed...to the hard ground. Thank God, for riding helmets, chiropractors, and guardian angels. As soon as I felt it was safe, I jumped up off the ground and staggered to a corral panel holding hands over my throbbing face that was beat up by my glasses smashing into it <span style="font-size: x-small;">(random thought: Hmmm, maybe it would be safer to not wear glasses when training an unbroke horse?)</span>. I looked at the mangled glasses and realized a lens was missing. "Oh, great!" My thoughts groaned. I walked over to my horse who looked a bit dazed himself as I could tell he had went down as well. I tied him to the edge of the corral all the while imagining that the grass crunching beneath his feet was the sound of my glasses lens being crushed to smithereens. I asked God to help me find the lens. As I got down on my hands and knees to search I realized this might take a while. I called out to my brother and sister who were in the yard to help me find it. Within a minute, my sister cried out, "I found it!" "Thank you, God," I breathed. <br />
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Despite a noticeable bruise under my eye, body aches, and wearing my old pair of glasses for the next 3-4 days, I fared quite well. I was very grateful for God's protection, but I couldn't help blame myself for what had happened (sort of like I'd just lived out the second part of Provers 27:12--<i>"A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; <u>the simple pass on and are punished</u>.</i>") Although it was the horse's fault, I had this feeling ever since I'd started riding him that he wasn't quite ready. I knew there was an underlying issue that needed to be addressed and if I didn't get if figured out it would rear it's ugly head and Friday had been the day. It didn't take me long to realize, I'd been negligent and unthorough in teaching one of the most important skills a horse should know--yielding the hindquarters. I felt really stupid, I'd been told over and over again that the horses' hindquarters are it's whoa and it's go. I had worked to perfect that skill with my other two horses. If I had prepared this horse properly to move his hips immediately and submissively when I asked, I could have diffused that buck. I had failed as a teacher and put myself at risk. Why did I have to be in such a hurry? Teaching a horse how to respond to a human in preparation for riding is what I enjoy and the reason I'd gotten a young horse to train. Had I forgotten that there would be plenty of time in the future for riding him? If I didn't do this right to begin with and spend the time doing those little exercises from the ground first without being on his back, I would ruin my joy of riding him later. Because I had not gotten him properly prepared, I could have ruined my horse by teaching him that he could buck off his rider.<br />
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How often do I want to rush through things or want the end result sooner than later in other areas of my life besides horse training? Often the reason I get myself into trouble is because I try to do things my way rather than the right way or God's way. All good things take time: relationships, habits, cleaning projects, gardening, farming, answers to questions, you name it. It doesn't help that we live in a world that caters to instant gratification. Patience and thoroughness are qualities I must continue to learn. Along with that goes humility which can include being willing to start over, admitting when you're wrong, choosing to forgive, and learning from your mistakes. So this week, I'm going to focus on the present, enjoying the here and now, willingly waiting for the things that will come over time, trusting my Savior to work things out for my good and His glory. <br />
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That's all for now. Time for me to head out to do some groundwork with my horses, put on my riding helmet, and say a prayer before I step into that saddle!<br />
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<i>"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1 </i></div>
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<i>"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9</i></div>
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<i>"Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." Provers 16:3</i></div>
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<i>"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34</i></div>
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<i>"Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.</span></div>
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-3098675452773070782015-05-14T08:27:00.002-07:002015-05-14T08:27:59.851-07:00God's Sheep ~ Inspiration from Psalm 23<br />
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<i>"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." </i></div>
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<i>Psalm 23:1</i></div>
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I read Psalm 23 the other morning. It's a short and familiar Psalm which caused me to read it fast and when I'd finished, left me thinking, "That was fast, I don't know if I
really even thought about what I just read." I felt like I should stop
and think about it some more, but didn't know what I was to be thinking
about. I looked down at the foot note in my study Bible. It said,<br />
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<i>"Believers are never pictured as mighty lions, independent and
self-sufficient; rather, they are sheep who are dependent on the
shepherd for His provision and protection. The believer is more than a
dependent sheep, however; he is also like an honored guest since the
Lord prepares a table for him. Connected with this honored position is
abundant provision, vindication before one's enemies, and eternal
celebration of God's goodness."</i><br />
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I hadn't heard it put that way before and found it encouraging. <br />
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First, I was challenged by the dependency we put on our Savior to provide and protect us. Bosses, friends, and family members will disappoint and fail us. No one is perfect. No matter what we do, we cannot keep ourselves from getting hurt by other people or ourselves, but God will protect us and carry us in times of suffering. There will also be times when we have needs, and rather than worry about them we should trust that God will provide those needs.<br />
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Now as an encouragement to young ladies living at home, this also made me think how as a woman, the world shouts at me to be a "lion", while God's still small voice
whispers over and over that I need to be a "sheep". The world promotes independence, while God wants us to be dependent on Him. The world says to make something of yourself, follow your dreams, and you deserve a better life, downplaying the importance of being a keeper of the home. Don't feel you're less important for staying home and serving your family. God created you to be a helper! If your dad is supportive of other ways to minister outside the home, do it, but if there are things you can busy yourself with at home be content where you are. Being content with my present circumstances and not feeling like there is something more important I should be doing, is something that I am still learning and struggle with. At the heart of the issue, is the desire for approval and acceptance, but I need to remember that God loves me just as I am and earning His approval, doing what He created me to be, is the best! Know that you are important and precious in God's sight (Proverbs 3:15)! It doesn't matter
what the world's definition of success is or what people think you should
do or be. The relationship with our Creator is what is really important
and doing His will for us, is all that matters. As has been quoted from the pulpit, "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I need."<br />
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<i>"Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;..." </i></div>
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<i>Isaiah 43:4</i></div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-76314549268247853302014-10-26T14:42:00.002-07:002014-10-26T14:42:55.272-07:00One of Those "Interesting" Days <br />
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It began as just an ordinary beautiful fall day. Today was Wednesday and the day's schedule happened to be full, but I had prepared. I had a plan that I was sure would allow me enough time to get each item accomplished. The morning started smoothly.<br />
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My first project after breakfast was checking the truck over with Dad before using it. I learned where the oil, transmission fluid, engine coolant, etc. were located. After sticking my saddle and bridle in the pick-up cab, I backed up to the horse trailer with Jeremiah's help despite the obstacles all around. <br />
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The horses were grazing at the furthest point, but I hadn't had much trouble in catching them lately so I left the truck running knowing I'd be back with a horse shortly. Not so? Just when I got within a few yards of them, Wally (of all the horses!) took a bee line for the ditch leading all on a proud gallop to the far end of the creek pasture. I was on the verge of anger. I called home to request for someone to bring the ranger out to me. Not much time was spared as I was at the gate by the time someone was found to drive the ranger. I drove fast and furiously to the end of the pasture. The horses eyed me warily with heads raised and galloped back to the catch corral-the smart little pony in the lead. The horses safely caught, I put away the ranger and marched down to the resting horses. This time, Wally stood and allowed me to halter him. He loaded willing as always. <br />
When He saw that I was going to be a while, Dad had turned off the truck, not wanting to waste expensive diesel fuel. So I turned the key expecting to hear the diesel engine roar to life. Instead I heard two weak whines. I tried turning the key again-same response! <i>No-o-o! </i> "Dumb old truck!" I mumbled under my breath as I got out.<br />
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"What's the problem? It won't start!" Dad yelled as he drove by on the tractor. He hopped in the cab for a minute and the engine roared to life. "Thanks, Dad!" "Yeah, well, you better hope it starts over there or you'll really be screwed! Maybe you should just stay home-after two strikes your out!"<br />
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I drove out the driveway with a heavy heart, asking God to help the truck run well. "I thought you wanted me to go today," I told God. "You rearranged my schedule so that I could help them work cattle this morning."<br />
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I turned the truck lights on thinking that turned on the trailer lights, making the turn lights work. I wanted to be sure people following me would be aware of my direction since I had a line of cars behind me because of the road construction in town. Besides, the last thing I needed was a ticket. <br />
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Soon I was driving down the lane of my friends' ranch and was parking the truck and trailer. The morning went well from there-Wally was Wally, but got the cows where they belonged while my knowledge increased on moving cattle effectively.<br />
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I got ready to leave and Miss L came with me to open the gates. "I hope it starts," I said remembering how reluctant the truck had been that morning. This time when the key was turned the truck was silent. "Oh no," I groaned, "This is not good." I thought, <i>"It must have a dead battery."</i> That's when I glanced down at the pull out light switch. I had left the lights on? "Dad is not going to be happy!" I moaned.<br />
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"We can jump start it," Miss L pointed out. Smart friend, an extra brain when mine is clouded by discouragement. Hope still lingered, but I had to groan and jump around like a defiant horse, reluctant to accept the pressure being applied. I wanted to shake off the feelings I had inside.<br />
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Miss L was calm and called off my antics telling me I should be thankful, now I could stay and help them finish moving cattle. I called to let my next appointment know I would be late and helped run the shoot system as the rest of the calves were treated.<br />
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I felt guilty having caused such a problem and inconvenience, but Mr. N didn't seem to mind as he pulled his truck and trailer down to hook up to mine. To make a long story short, we all know more about starting horses than jump starting a truck and decided to leave the problem for an experienced mechanic like my Dad.<br />
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Mr. N was nice enough to offer to take my horse and I home since He would be taking a cow to be processed. He tried to console me knowing that I was worried about Dad's response. His advice helped, but I still didn't understand God's purpose in it all.<br />
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At the end of the day, Dad got the truck started after I got a thorough lesson in methods of jump starting a vehicle. I also got this fact permanently imprinted in my mind, "A trailer's turn signal will work when it's plugged into the truck. You never need the light's on except at night!" That is a blunder I will not repeat--at least not as long as it's daylight!<br />
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The next morning in my devotions, two points stood out to me: Give thanks <b><u>in</u></b> everything and <b><u>for</u></b> everything. <br />
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<i><u>In every</u> thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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<i>1 Thessalonians 5:18</i></div>
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<i> <u>Giving thanks always for all things</u> unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
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<i>Ephesians 5:2 </i></div>
God spoke to my heart, convicting me about my responses the day before, "Had I thanked Him that it happened at the M's farm near our place and not at a horse event miles away? Did I thank Him for a Dad that knows how a truck works and how to fix it?" Instead of moaning and groaning, I should have praised God! <br />
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The following morning, God once again spoke to me about how He wants me to respond to problems. In Matthew 26:46-56, at the night of His betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus did not try to run way from the suffering he would face. He even called off his disciples from fighting back. Jesus knew God could send all His angels and wipe out the men coming to arrest him, but He knew that wasn't God's plan. Although He didn't want to experience the pain, Jesus welcomed the most unpleasant crisis anyone could face, knowing that it was going to fulfill God's will. </div>
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<i>But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
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Matthew 26:56 </div>
<i> </i><br />
How had I viewed my "crisis"? Had I looked at it as a fulfillment of God's plan for my life that day or had I wanted to escape my problems? I have to say that I badly wanted to escape my problem because I was afraid of how my dad would respond when I told him what had happened to the truck. Yet, I had to submit to God's plan, because there was nothing that I could do to change my situation. I had to choose to give the right response and make the right decisions to mend the issue at hand and let God handle the reactions of the people involved. <br />
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If I hadn't experienced that "interesting" day, God would not have gotten these points across in my mind. I wondered why I couldn't have read these passages before what happened happened, but realized that what I read had been meaningful because of what happened. Here's a quote that expresses this, "<i>We must never mistake the process for the result." </i> Because of what I went through, I was blessed by God's character and truth and learned how to respond the next time I had one of those "interesting" days. <br />
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<i>If you are yielded to Christ, your life is not a series of accidents; it is a series of appointments.</i> </div>
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<i>If escape is your approach to life, then you are going to miss out on all the blessings God has for you.</i></div>
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<i>Hiding your light under an escape hatch is no way to glorify the Lord.</i></div>
<br />Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-77240635004757197782014-10-14T19:17:00.002-07:002014-10-14T19:17:35.061-07:00An Early Morning Butte Top Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At 5:30 in the morning, Rebekah and I
hopped out of bed, dressed, and packed our cameras as we headed out
into the dark morning, lit by the city lights of Bend. We set out at
a brisk pace for Pilot Butte, the ginormous butte that overshadows
Bend. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pilot Butte (in the second picture you can see the butte's shadow over the city).</span></i></div>
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We took the paved road and despite the slight nip we worked up
a sweat as we tackled the slope with strong strides. Reaching the
top, the air was cool and the wind permeated our thin layers chilling
our ears and fingers. We huddled behind a rock wall for protection
and warmth as we scanned the colorful horizon, waiting for the sun to
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As I watched, the mountains and
buttes once hidden by hazy clouds and darkness, were revealed as the
sun's rays brightened the horizon more and more with each passing
minute. </div>
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It made me think how Jesus, God's Son, is like the sun.
When I chose to have Him become a part of my life, He revealed (and
continues to reveal) the hidden parts of my life that are not
right—bitterness, selfishness, pride. All those things, I didn't
recognize were there are exposed by the Bible and the counsel of
other Godly men and women in my life. Sometimes how I respond to the
events happening that I don't like or the differences I have between
me and another person bring out the worst in me—things that I must
choose to change. Just as the dark bumps of the mountains become
beautiful as their snowy tops become aglow from the sun, so Jesus has
taken the messes in my life and transformed them into beautiful
mountains of trust, patience, unconditional love, and forgiveness. </div>
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I jumped to my feet and quickly
snapped photos as the sun burst over the horizon. Never before had I
been able to watch the sunrise from such a high altitude and all
directions at once. It seemed so cleansing and transforming.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Delighted, I found that the day's
Bible reading reflected my thoughts. The comparison of light driving
away the darkness took on a new meaning for me in that moment, one
that I hope to remember for a very long time.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>“For you were once darkness, but now
you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>"And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose
them." </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>"But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the
light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” Ephesians 5:8,11,13</i></div>
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-22049328110169564272014-10-03T15:03:00.003-07:002014-10-03T15:03:53.728-07:00Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Last Chance Trading Post:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Gift Shop<br />
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Red Rock Meetn' Hall</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The barn)</div>
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Sandy Pants Arena:</div>
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The arena where children are allowed to ride bareback. </div>
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If they fall off, they're sure to get sand in their pants! </div>
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The Office of the "Town Marshal":</div>
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Troy</div>
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Dizzy Horse Round Pen</div>
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Independence Arena</div>
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Established July 4, 1994</div>
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The Ranch Office Headquarters</div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">It's dinner time for the ranch horses!</span></em></div>
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Forest and his Mother</div>
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Amos the rescue colt, also Forest's Playmate</div>
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An afternoon on the ranch is finished.</div>
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It's time to walk down the lane to the</div>
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Hope you all enjoy the picture walk through of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch!</div>
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<br />Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-27312213398796268872014-10-01T10:17:00.001-07:002014-10-01T10:17:49.793-07:00Smith Rocks in Oregon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn0HDeRoHJNK_8892S0VBGaHZF6kcAoS3TFoBA8dB59iXntr0OR4ISLjHNZZedhhGdPsjel30r6S4gjqqlig5MvUv7v-lUInsGBcS_LaDGpKXuMKBMHB4CNuSGrW9eKlCk_QbpKwV6vA/s1600/P9280041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn0HDeRoHJNK_8892S0VBGaHZF6kcAoS3TFoBA8dB59iXntr0OR4ISLjHNZZedhhGdPsjel30r6S4gjqqlig5MvUv7v-lUInsGBcS_LaDGpKXuMKBMHB4CNuSGrW9eKlCk_QbpKwV6vA/s1600/P9280041.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunday, Rachel took Rebekah and I to Smith Rocks. A rock fortress that towers above the ranches in the plains. We watched the sun beginning to set behind the mountains, making the peaks just glow. The sun's rays appeared to shoot out of the mountain, turning the Smith rocks toward the North East a reddish color. It was just as Rachel had said. The closer we got the more beautiful it became. Then as we gazed over the wooden fence into the canyon below, we gasped as the most beautiful painting was revealed. It was hard to believe I was actually witnessing this in person.</div>
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We thought this glowing boomerang cloud was neat as it seemed to encircle the tops of the Smith Rocks. What a beautiful ending to our first day in Oregon!</div>
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<br />Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-72543705416731897032014-09-29T20:50:00.001-07:002014-09-29T20:50:24.670-07:00A Ride in the Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It would be my first ride in the clouds. Would I be scared, would I be thrilled?</div>
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The plain stopped on the runway and the engine got louder and louder. I sat rigged in my seat. Would it take off so fast that everything would be a blur? I watched the flaps of the wings raise up and down as I assumed the pilot was double checking that everything was in working order. The power with which the plain moved forward, pushed me back against the seat. The airport whizzed by then, slowly, slowly my body was raised from earth in this metal contraption with stationary wings. The ground how I had once known it got further and further away as it turned into a patchwork of greens, browns, and yellows dotted with the tiny roofs of houses and barns. I chewed my gum vigorously as I felt my ears get plugged and my head grow tight from the drastic altitude changes. </div>
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My friend, Rebekah and I were on our way to Bend, Oregon to the ranch we've always dreamed about: Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. We flew out of Des Moines a half our later than expected due to a flicker in the airport's electricity from the rain storm. We landed in Minneapolis, at 8:35a.m. only to anxiously wait 10 more minutes for an exit ramp to be brought to the door of the plain. By then it was 8:55 a.m. and our plain was to depart at 9:00. We raced across the airport passing people in our frantic state. As we were halfway there, Rebekah stopped and said, "Wait, did that sign say it wasn't leaving till 9:30?" "I don't know. I'd rather get there sooner than later," I commented knowing that our luggage had already been loaded on that plain. Sure enough the plain had been delayed (good thing for us). As we hit the skies for Salt Lake City, we had a sinking feeling as we double checked our tickets. We were going to barely make our flight to Portland. As the jet landed, the stewardess listed off the flights that were departing, Portland being one of them. We were discouraged as this meant we would not get to ride the bus that we had payed for. Thankfully, Rebekah thought to ask if we could have our alternate flight be Redmond. This way we could get ahead of the bus and still meet Rachel (the lady we'd be staying with) at the bus stop in Bend. It was amazing to see how God worked out the details. Through it all Rebekah had said, "There's no need to get worried about it. God's worked things out this far, so He can work through this as well. There is nothing we can do about it so I might as well trust Him." She was so right. We had no need to be anxious with God on our side! </div>
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<br />Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-61821485765302053992014-09-27T14:07:00.001-07:002015-01-05T19:09:38.964-08:00My Trip to Kentucky Part 3Ryan looked up at me and asked quietly.
“Do I have to do it?” “No, you don't have to, but at least
try playing with it in your hands. Meranda the other team leader had
similar thoughts to mine. Soon she and I had been convinced by the
excited squeals of the campers and had our hands in the strange white
gooey substance. I could ball it up in my hands just as Michael one
of the leader's assistance had showed me, but when I opened my hand
it dripped though my fingers. It was time to “walk” on it.
Because constant pressure had to be applied, you had to “jump” on
it so to speak and “run” on the water. If you hesitated, your feet
started to sink and get stuck. Ryan one of the few boys who always
managed to stay clean, looked up at me again and said, “I'm going
to try it.” “Me too,” I told him and together we took off our
boots and socks to join the others. All of us had so much fun, and
surprisingly, it wasn't messy. This white water didn't splash. When pressure was applied it became firm so that we could walk on the water.
<br />
<br />
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Friday, was a big day—Pony
Express. Each of the staff was asigned to a “station” along the
trail where a child would get a fresh horse and have a decision to
make. They could choose whether to practice the fruit of the spirit or do things their own way. One spot in the trail there was a road block created by a pile of branches purposely placed in the path. The child had to choose whether to wait for the branches to be cleared or go around them. If they were patient, they continued down the right path, if they were impatient they were sent on a rabbit trail. In another spot they met a lonely, poor hobo who was seeking true friendship and love. The children were to point her to the cross and tell her of Jesus who would love her unconditionally and be her true friend. At the end of the trail their self control was tested as they were told they must get off their horse and walk all the way back up the trail. If they responded with a good attitude, they were allowed to get back on their horse and ride up to the barn, otherwise they had to walk back. <br />
<br />
When Brystol asked me if I wanted to take one
of the horses and ride the trail to make sure each station was ready,
I was thrilled! I chose one of the Haflinger ponies, she had a
smooth gait and I was so glad to have a chance to ride a trot and
lope. On my return to the barn I was instructed to ride the trail
once more, this time following some of the young pony express riders
to make sure everything would go smoothly and none of the activities
at the stations would spook the horses. I started out riding a tall
brown horse, but switched halfway to a Tennessee Walker. Completing
the pony express route, I was then assigned to lead or walk along side
young riders. Once everyone completed the Pony Express ride, we all took turns cooling off in the
pool and going down the slip n' slide, which was a long white slick piece
of plastic tarp extended down the hill from the house. Someone
stood at the top spraying it down with a foam soap to make it slick. <br />
<br />
Saturday's grand finale was a rodeo put on by the children for their parents. I chose which of the four categories my children would compete in. Two did pole bending, one did barrel racing, one did keyhole, and one did roping. The rodeo started out with the staff and campers holding up a giant American flag while several of the girl campers sang the national anthem. It was a hot day, but all the children did their best and had fun. After the campers left, the staff cleaned up the Reckner ranch and make sure everything was in its place.<br />
<br />
I didn't go home till Monday as that was when a lady had agreed to take me and another girl to meet our rides home in St Louis. So Sunday afternoon, the Reckners and some of the remaining staff went horseback riding. That was a lot of fun. I rode Spur who is a captivity born mustang. Cantering him was really enjoyable as he felt so comfortable and balanced. <br />
<br />
I'm so thankful for all that God taught me out there. <br />
</div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-25752403276400025442014-08-24T18:58:00.000-07:002014-08-24T18:58:27.818-07:00My Trip to Kentucky, Part 2Back inside the bunk house, I read my Bible while the other girls were awaking and getting ready for the day. Soon Brystol (Reckner) and Sarah were making eggs and
toast for us. Brystol asked me, “Would you like to walk with Sarah and
I? We do this often, especially during the camps and we pray as we
walk.” “Sure,” I said. When one of her little brothers heard
I was going to walk with them he said, “prepare to walk for 3
miles!” I thought he was joking, but found he was honest. I soon
found myself walking as fast as I could and being amazed at the
passion with which Brystol and Sarah prayed. I admired these two
dedicated young ladies who prayed powerfully and covered miles
quickly! I decided I would be both physically and spiritually fit by
the end of my stay!
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On our return to the house, I was
given my assignments for the day, helping Kimberly in the kitchen:
making a large batch of pizza dough (at least 12 pans in all), mixing
up 72 granola bars, and cooking 20-30 lbs of hamburger. Kimberly
helped me find things and run their big commercial type mixer. I
was glad that I was able to see the preparation that goes into
running this kind of ministry. Saturday morning held a similar
routine of working in the kitchen doing jobs that needed done or the
family didn't have time to do.
At the end of the day, I once again
moved my belongings, this time to the bunkhouse the girl's would be
staying in during camp. I picked a top bunk that didn't have any
sides as the younger campers would not be allowed to sleep there. <br />
<br />
On
Sunday, the majority of the Reckner family and staff piled into the
15 passenger van to go to church. It was about a 15 min drive
through the narrow, winding paved roads of rural Sebree, Kentucky.
The rest of the day was spent getting ready for the campers to
arrive, staff introductions, and staff instructions. I was assigned to be a team leader (Sheriff) of the blue group.
At 3:00 p.m., camp registration
started. My team's color was dark blue and when it came time for roll
call, I had 2 boys and girls under my leadership. After Timothy
Reckner did an overview of the camp rules, we all tromped down to the
arena to do our first horse event of the day—a water relay. Each
rider had to get a cupfull of water, mount their horse, ride being careful not to spill, and dump the water in
a bucket at the opposite end of the arena. The first team to fill
their bucket was the winner. <br />
<br />
Next it was chore time. Chore time was
twice a day and consisted of at least 3 of the 4 chore areas: barn
chores, dog & chicken chores, bunkhouse chores, and
kitchen patrol. Each of the 3 team groups took turns doing the
different chores so everyone had a chance to learn how to do each
one. Barn chores consisted of saddling or unsaddling horses, mucking stalls, filling water pails, and feeding the horses. The dogs' water and food was checked, as well as the chickens, except for the addition of checking the nest boxes for eggs. As for the bunkhouses, there were contests morning and evening to see whether the
boy's or the girls' bunkhouse was the cleanest; each was awarded according to cleanliness. The dirty award was a string of dirty
socks! This motivated the campers to keep their bunkhouse both
clean and orderly. Kitchen patrol which was done in the evening,
involved the campers in washing dishes, sweeping floors, and cleaning
the bathroom in the Reckner's house. Surprisingly, the boys always
asked for the job of cleaning the bathroom! <br />
<br />
Throughout the day a big bell was
rung by the house to call campers to meals, give instructions on each
team's next activity, etc. At the sound of that bell campers came running from all directions, each team lining up from shortest to tallest. Before speaking, the camp directors would make sure they had everyone's attention by
yelling--”Eyeballs!” and the children would respond loudly with, “Click!” Sunday evening, after the staff meeting, I entered the bunkhouse now overflowing with children. I had know idea where some of my belongings were and to top it all off, I had agreed to sleep in the loft to give more room to the campers. The top bunk bed I had used became launch pad and landing for those of us clearing the gap between the bunk bed and the loft. I was glad I wouldn't be moving my sleeping space for a while.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The year theme for the camp was
The Grace Rider: Enthusiastic young riders willing to risk life daily
to carry the message of the gospel to the end of the earth. Each
night ended with a skit put on by the staff about a pony express
rider name Ransom who got a job with the pony express had to decide how to
respond to the other riders and frustrating situations in a way that
pleased God. Children also learned facts about the pony express.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The theme for the week was the fruit
of the Spirit from Galations 5:16-22. Each day focused on at least
one or two of the fruits of the spirit.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Monday found Sheriff Hannah
keeping five cowboys and cowgirls on the right trail to activities.
One of the most memorable moments of that day was our survival
activity: building a fire. Mrs. Winfree explained what materials are
combustible and how to put them together in a way that will get it to
burn. The blue group had a contest to see who could burn through the
line the fastest with the fire they built. Deputy Wesley had the
idea of how to build it and I helped instruct my campers on what
materials to gather. We made a tepee out of big logs, placing dry
grass, small twigs, and dry leaves in the center. Each team was
allowed 2 matches to start their fire. The light blue team's fire
was slow to start, but our dark blue team's fire lit and burned
through the rope in about 10 seconds. The children were elated, but
then we were instructed to put out our fire because when learning to
start a fire, one must also learn to put it out. Mrs. Winfree
challenged us to practice peace: Don't burn with anger, but be a
peacemaker when we experience conflict.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tuesday we learned patience as we
attempted to play 3-legged freeze tag. Once we accomplished it with
two people, then we were challenged to do it with 9-10 of us. We
quickly learned those of us who were more patient with our fellow
teammates and those of us who were willing to just drag and pull each
other along.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wednesday we were given materials
to construct a boat that would then be tested for floating
capabilities. Some of us didn't realize that we our goal wasn't just
to make our boat float, but to be creative in the design. Our team's
creativity and artistic abilities was definitely challenged that day,
for we also had to design a marble works.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Thursday, we received the
addition of a sweet, energetic young lady named Gracie and our team
of four campers turned to five. The day started out with a breakfast
on the trail. Half of the 30 campers got to ride to the clearing
where we would eat our breafast while the rest walked. Each of us
received a sack lunch of an apple, granola bar, yogurt tube, and
boiled egg. A comical moment was when a couple of the younger boys
attempted to make a seat by placing a branch across two stumps. I
worked for a while till one of the little girls decided to try it and
they all quickly jumped to their feet when the branch cracked in two.
Faith was probably my favorite fruit of the spirit that was displayed in the
educational event. After watching children and staff walk
by with white splotches on themselves, I was beginning to wonder if I
was going to want to do the educational activity. <br />
<br />
The title for this event said, "Walking on Faith" which one of the other leaders who had done it before us informed me that you actually got to walk on water.</div>
<br />
“Hmm, this should be interesting,”
I thought as I observed the children mixing the
cornstarch filled water in the plastic swimming pool with their hands. “Wow! This
is really cool. Look at this!” the children called to me excitedly. I watched, but stood back, not
really sure if I wanted to join in as I looked down at my clothes wondering if I should have worn ones I didn't care about messing up. “Don't worry. It brushes off once it
dries,” Brystol reassured everyone. I was skeptical as I eyed the
obvious white splotches on her outfit.<br />
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-52988339700541145832014-08-23T20:03:00.003-07:002014-08-23T20:23:45.888-07:00My Trip to Kentucky: Part 1 Kentucky. Once I had been super
excited to go there: a chance to get away, a change of routine, meet
like-minded people, and be around horses. Then, my first volunteer
application got lost in the mail and I had to fill out the 21 page
application again. Because of this delay, I was usable to go in June
like I had planned and had to wait for the July27-Aug 2 camp to
volunteer at. During that time of waiting, God used the
responsibilities and opportunities at home to diminish my excitement
for leaving and increase my desire to stay at home. I am glad God
made me wait or I would have set my expectations too high and been
disappointed once I got to Kentucky. Instead I went bringing no
expectations, just my service and an open mind willing to learn. <br />
<br />
After about 10 hours of driving we pulled in the long lain of the
Higher Ground Ministry Mission, other wise known as the Reckner Family's Ranch. The huge
mansion like house with the white pillars stood out at the top of the
hill and about 10-15 slender horses grazed on short, dry grass. One of
their sons came out to see who had arrived and Sarah one of their
full-time volunteers came out to invite us inside. The Reckner
family was very friendly and hospitable. They readily welcomed us
for supper offering us Chili and Sweet tea (which is like sugar
water! If I'd been a gumming bird I would have slurped it greedily!)
It was a good supper and I was beginning to feel at home. Although
the outward appearance of the house gave one the impression of a wealthy family, the atmosphere
inside was just the usual down to earth ranch family that was using their house to minister Christ's love to others. I talked to their twin
girls Kimberly and Bethany who were close in age to me—19. <br />
<br />
It
wasn't till 10 p.m. that I was shown where I would be sleeping. I was
taken into the bunkhouse where the girl staff had been staying. It
was actually a small shed-type house with the one bedroom that had three of
the four walls lined with a bunk bed that was three high. “Oh, my,”
I thought when I saw my sleeping choices. It was either a middle
bunk or a top bunk which was about eight feet off the floor. Because of my past nervous feeling about heights, I chose
the middle bunk and proceeded to figure out how to climb into it. I
had three choices. <br />
<br />
1 Step on the bottom bunk and do a push up
combination jump while quickly ducking my head.<br />
<br />
2 Climb up the end
and try to avoid the ceiling fan blades while swinging into my bunk.<br />
<br />
3 I resorted to climbing through the two foot by three foot gap on
the end into my bed. It worked and by morning, I was a pro at it!
It made me smile to think how this camp was unique and different from
large scale camps. It was truly something that this family had to
just made do with what they had and hey, it worked! <br />
<br />
I woke up around
6:30 a.m, quickly stumbling about in the dimly lit room groping for
my clothes and all the while trying not to waken the other girls. I
hoped to catch my parents because I knew they hoped to see me before
they left. I stepped out into the cool morning, a mist hung in
the air. The Reckner's big friendly border collie, Gunner, came over to greet
me and as I bent down to pet him, I heard the van breaks squeak as my
family's van stopped beside me. I gave Mom, Dad, Rachel, and Elijah
all a hug and watched the van go down the drive way. I looked down
at Gunner sitting at my feet with a big doggy smile. Crouching down,
I sunk my fingers into his thick coat and asked, “What have I
gotten myself into?”Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-37929576815381080872014-06-15T13:57:00.000-07:002014-06-15T13:57:58.377-07:00Focusing on the Rear View Mirror<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Where is your focus, right now? On the past or on the present? I and my family received this challenge from Dad as we were driving down the road one day. Have you ever noticed how the rear view mirrors are smaller than the windshield? What would happen if you took your focus off the road and placed it on what was behind you? You would crash. You must continue looking ahead to know where you are headed, focused on the present, the here and now, your future destination. The rear view mirrors are important. They remind us of what is behind us, the lessons we've learned, the mistakes we have done, and God's provision and protection. It's ok to glance back, to reflect on the past, but we must not dwell on it. We must move on. We must start a new life and make the best of the present. My family is adjusting to living in a new home. We moved from the hilltop to the valley physically and spiritually. After my grandpa died, we left our small house behind where my parents started their married life together and where all of us children had grown up. To move into our grandparents big house adopting Grandma into our family, was a major change. It's true that we had looked forward to living in this house with roomy bedrooms and lots of space, but now, nothing is the same as it was before. My family and I keep looking back. I want to move back. When I start focusing on the rear view mirrors of my life, I emotionally crash. Without Jesus Christ, I would be unable to go on and face the challenges of everyday. Without him I would still be living in the past. Stepping out in faith, I'm driving onward. Although I don't want to, I'm choosing to place my focus on the road ahead through the windshield.<br />
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I have started to take note of the little bright spots, the familiar sounds, the new scenery of this new place. <br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGPmV7UmnxhDTjZlU31g9PFwO-0c-09WKOsHI4JPu9AuyTf7O7ucEamS4EwAYKosrJjRpwXUpuyHlgG1WPOiHk9nVKsWPcnxfFziDAJjBB8cCAPvc8DdBOQRsO6tU6u2rJ4L5-ms9CmY/s1600/P6020043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
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<em>The horse pasture to greet me when I pull in the yard.</em></div>
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<em></em> <em>The bright pink of the peony bushes just coming into bloom.</em></div>
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<em>Sunlight at dusk highlighting a strawberry blossom and berry just waiting to ripen.</em></div>
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<em>A dainty red rose against green thorny foliage.</em> </div>
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<em>Timid but curious baby kittens with whom my brothers and sister like to play.</em></div>
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<em>The sound of cows mooing in our neighbor's pasture as I fall asleep.</em></div>
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<em>The call of a meadowlark as it flits along the fence line as I walk through the pasture to catch a horse.</em></div>
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<em>My view up from the valley to the hills where the wind creates ripples in the long grass. </em></div>
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<em>The misty mornings where quiet fog hangs heavy over the creak.</em></div>
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<em>The horse's standing head to tail swishing flies in the sun.</em></div>
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<em>An encouraging note from a friend.</em></div>
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<em>Words of hope from the scriptures.</em></div>
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<em>My final destination: Heaven.</em></div>
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<br />Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-23740900970217410422014-06-10T19:24:00.001-07:002014-06-10T19:24:23.393-07:00Our New (Old) HorsesJust thought you all might enjoy seeing what the two new (old) horses look like. Wall and Wildfire are still my favorites, but that's probably because they're the ones that I'm most familiar with and have worked with the longest. I haven't quite gotten a conversation and understanding going with the two new ones. Big black Joe seems to be catching on faster than old Jed. <br />
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Well, this is Joe, hanging out with his new buddies. <br />
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Joe is a 20 year old solid black paint. He is real smart. Unless you first prove to him that loping is easier than whining and bucking, you might have an interesting ride! My brother rode him with me the other evening and Joe behaved beautifully. He neck reigns well, has a big stride, and is interested in going someplace new. He has a mischievous side. The other evening, when I checked on the horses, the float on the water tub was nocked off, cracked, and spraying water everywhere. Joe splashed his foot in the puddle that was forming and looked at me with pricked ears. I'm pretty sure I know who did it. JOE!!!!!!</div>
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Jedda, whose names I've shortened to Jed because the name Jedda sounds female and makes me call him a she, is a 28 year old quarter horse gelding. Besides some arthritis in his back legs, he is sound and spunky. Jed is the boss and he and Wally continue to argue over who gets to be with Wildfire--the only mare in my little herd. Jed is content to be ridden at a slow easy pace and when asked to trot, breaks into a real quick bouncy gait that turns into a lope if trying to keep up with the horse in front or if headed in the direction of home. It's taking a while, but I'm learning to like this horse. I haven't completely figured out how to make him interested in me yet, but I'm beginning to see some subtle changes. Most of the problem is I haven't spent as much time with him yet.</div>
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I just had to add this last picture of Wildfire. She was scratching her but on the fence and her expression was so funny! She is quite the little pony! Wildfire gets along well with my little sister who likes to braid this pony's long main. Wildfire stands still with her eyes half closed as my sister braids.</div>
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After I had took this picture, she quickly exited the scene; it was as though she thought a picture like this was not appropriate!</div>
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Ok, I guess this one is the last photo for the day. This one doesn't go with my horse post, but hey, maybe I'll make him into a calf to be roped some day. Either that or my brothers and I joke we'll make him into a buck'n bull! </div>
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This is T Bone.</div>
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Doesn't he look adorable and delicious? Ok, sorry. I didn't mean that, yet! Maybe rodeo potential? In our dreams!</div>
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-14363167324616417942014-05-21T13:31:00.001-07:002014-05-21T13:31:36.394-07:00Life is Hard. God is Good<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Life
is hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes things happen that
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respond?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death and change are
difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are suddenly hurled into
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would rather not make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us may
vent our feelings or appreciate a shoulder to cry on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there are some of us who would much
rather like to be alone or wish we could just run away from it all—stick our
head in a hole or move to Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
learning that running isn’t always the best option and sometimes confiding in a
person I trust can be good—even when it seems to be going against my nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A walk through a dew laden pasture
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think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I pondered and fumed over my
predicament with halter in hand and horses about a quarter mile away, I began
to think how much better it would be if they would just stay and wait for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just created more problems for
them and me when they ran away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
again, the horses appeared through the early morning fog, and God seemed to be
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life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You know you can’t really run away, just like the pony can’t because
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I write this, I am reminded of
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problems, unless it’s at the direction of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we trust in the Lord, He will give us the courage, strength,
patience, endurance, and peace to face the challenges of life and make us more
like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is hard, but God is
good.</span></div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-52932660161867159292014-04-24T19:55:00.000-07:002014-04-24T19:55:22.203-07:00In the Yoke with Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<![endif]--><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew 11:28-30</span>
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span style="font-size: xx-small;">28 </span>Come unto me, all ye that labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29</span> Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span>and ye shall find rest unto your souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">30 </span></span></span></i></span>For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKjXABCIXTLfJHB_dWFIymvfq2_EBmJivhzdu5s47MX2UTFHvHTTsEXdi0y5X59fbhPW77GSI2iupTRxGQCJzAw71PRp-G3Wv4as9at2xcT__5Ffdijphcxli4mxBE9gcfV4ssch-uCU/s1600/P8160289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKjXABCIXTLfJHB_dWFIymvfq2_EBmJivhzdu5s47MX2UTFHvHTTsEXdi0y5X59fbhPW77GSI2iupTRxGQCJzAw71PRp-G3Wv4as9at2xcT__5Ffdijphcxli4mxBE9gcfV4ssch-uCU/s1600/P8160289.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I was listening to someone
sing verses 29 and 30, I really began to think about what those words were
saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to know something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could a yoke that is normally bulky and heavy
and used to pull burdens be comfortable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could a burden which is just that—a burden be light and easy to
carry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was Jesus speaking
figuratively?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he mean that our loads
of responsibility and trials would seem not so difficult and weighty on our
hearts because we ask Him to help us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did He mean that when we would remember what He did for us—dying on the
cross, accepting unjust punishment, taking the blame for what He didn’t do,
listened to forgive those who mocked Him—our present circumstances would pale
in comparison?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I tried to find
cross references for these verses, it appeared that this statement is recorded
only in Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closest similarity
was found in John 7:37 and 38 where Jesus says,</span> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">If any man thirst, let him come
unto me, and drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He that believeth on
me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly will (shall) flow rivers of
living water.”</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John 4:14 that was stated before helps to further explain this:</span> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>“</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him shall never <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30973x14"></a>thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into
everlasting life.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this verse,
Jesus did not mean that we would never be physically thirsty, but that we would
be satisfied—our spirit would be satisfied and completed by the help of the
Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus would be all we
really need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps comparing this to
the yoke and burden passage will help reveal the meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know Jesus did not mean we would no longer
have to physically carry heavy burdens—because that is a part of life and
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he could mean is our
spirit-internally we wouldn’t have to be plagued by worry and grief about
overwhelming responsibilities and challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus wanted us to realize that He wants to help us carry these loads,
He wants us to share them with Him so He can take care of the brunt of the
load.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the definition for yoke in
the Concordance also said to balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This would again imply: Jesus taking off some of the pressure from the
burden we have.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible
brings out another meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It said, “In
New Testament times the phrase, take the yoke of, was used by Jewish rabbis to
mean, ‘Become the pupil of a certain teacher’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this case, Jesus also may have been encouraging His followers to
learn from Him-the gentle, wise teacher of useful advice/commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will end this study with verses that I
started with, but this time it will be copied from the Amplified Bible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Come to Me, all you who labor and are
heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I will ease and relieve and refresh your
souls.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take My yoke upon you and learn
of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find
rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quite) for
your souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For My yoke is wholesome
(useful, good-not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious,
and pleasant) and My burden is light and easy to be borne.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 11:28-30</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If
these verses are referring to Jesus as our teacher and us as students, Jesus is
a great teacher who doesn’t give out assignments that are impossible to finish,
nor is He arrogant, but listens to us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
the reason we are overburdened, is because we are not yoked to Christ or trying
to pull ahead of Him rather than with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we share the load rather than trying to do it all on our own, the
load is easier to handle because we’re letting Jesus help us.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QX0voX91_BOoGyWx1PdWS5QSee5gl4l3g315dp5Kp0ZOFJyOQRAD97kbH7h9RA0XVENpVH-zheuVoFEKen0_09pFhCDT9wpYw5foFZMhN5vUGVPVfMbxJQ3l5n9AW80p5pMaqJILydc/s1600/P8160286+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QX0voX91_BOoGyWx1PdWS5QSee5gl4l3g315dp5Kp0ZOFJyOQRAD97kbH7h9RA0XVENpVH-zheuVoFEKen0_09pFhCDT9wpYw5foFZMhN5vUGVPVfMbxJQ3l5n9AW80p5pMaqJILydc/s1600/P8160286+-+Copy.JPG" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-21000532364293942362014-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:002014-04-06T19:28:26.942-07:00A Special Little Boy and His Attentive Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngHdODtwmJIuWUtpF4Ki4lxqwh7LlBUaVlBJy6X1z1tiAHtRHZR7_N8at-IA5zJ_PKegUxGJAoUYa0xq0NOIMssymqwLQlwc8tAVHlJKYcTOmLwDFLlJP7_DF0x9WtyAXVH_f4oRjdZk/s1600/P4060476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngHdODtwmJIuWUtpF4Ki4lxqwh7LlBUaVlBJy6X1z1tiAHtRHZR7_N8at-IA5zJ_PKegUxGJAoUYa0xq0NOIMssymqwLQlwc8tAVHlJKYcTOmLwDFLlJP7_DF0x9WtyAXVH_f4oRjdZk/s1600/P4060476.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I do have Down Syndrome,</span> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKt2Gp55wVICNQlHS0AkPswuZMshm8fmqmTDjT12qCe0Nkm23m2MITjJYB22eiL3cA5d8xkEpZDtuaHqSBQLqm-zNSTS3hQcugTYL58KIh-K5pxOpAiqCOvgrU_YimLCazv5riIuZcDw/s1600/P4060481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKt2Gp55wVICNQlHS0AkPswuZMshm8fmqmTDjT12qCe0Nkm23m2MITjJYB22eiL3cA5d8xkEpZDtuaHqSBQLqm-zNSTS3hQcugTYL58KIh-K5pxOpAiqCOvgrU_YimLCazv5riIuZcDw/s1600/P4060481.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">that may be,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">but that difference to some</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">my horse doesn't see.</span></i></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Compared to those my age</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I look quite small</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">but on my horse's back</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I look quite tall.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I can make my horse go </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gPKVMp58sozi0z8juBfoNf-12G2CcDQHihXJaSfM31rt7qfg_GCKn8tTp5hj_YwmeLcCSbQHziKd2HdoozrExLvXywrxtrTZ1psOsDbbc1cLh3OFHY-u8VcKlpK6wl7TgrtQwJL-sso/s1600/P4060493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gPKVMp58sozi0z8juBfoNf-12G2CcDQHihXJaSfM31rt7qfg_GCKn8tTp5hj_YwmeLcCSbQHziKd2HdoozrExLvXywrxtrTZ1psOsDbbc1cLh3OFHY-u8VcKlpK6wl7TgrtQwJL-sso/s1600/P4060493.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>I can make him stop</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I like to ride him fast</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and then go slow.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Some cannot understand</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">the words I say,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">but my horse doesn't mind</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">he listens anyway.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">When I see him standing </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">by the gate</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">it means he knows </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">his hay is late.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know that,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">so instead</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJrU_CFOKDsClAQZL8PlS3fDATZIg4MCC_deXc0gYdH1_5MCz4qpbTF_J2Xxig6WLqCwJjt8_HgLfKRiiNuVYtdBV0czib3B89NLgOmPSQBHa_8s1d51AutM7sgahB3i5oqjBiToasZU/s1600/P4060485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJrU_CFOKDsClAQZL8PlS3fDATZIg4MCC_deXc0gYdH1_5MCz4qpbTF_J2Xxig6WLqCwJjt8_HgLfKRiiNuVYtdBV0czib3B89NLgOmPSQBHa_8s1d51AutM7sgahB3i5oqjBiToasZU/s1600/P4060485.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>I walk up to him</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and give a pat.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Wally is my sister's horse,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">but I like to think he's mine,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">of course. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCES0jl79yqsyveIEap-jjn2v9dZkaKvymJ1rYdi56fmUc6yr2q4AKByQipi_COWThzCeemV5k8rqs-9_PpPnUbMVbLu9bB7xCxkV61Jf4LJ1vfNfLCXtdE8NDEaberHKqjO6Tvz6ZZ2o/s1600/P4060486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCES0jl79yqsyveIEap-jjn2v9dZkaKvymJ1rYdi56fmUc6yr2q4AKByQipi_COWThzCeemV5k8rqs-9_PpPnUbMVbLu9bB7xCxkV61Jf4LJ1vfNfLCXtdE8NDEaberHKqjO6Tvz6ZZ2o/s1600/P4060486.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-26291254025815908232014-04-04T09:57:00.000-07:002014-04-04T09:57:15.704-07:00Hey, Mom..Dad...I want to take a trip to Kentucky!<span style="font-size: x-large;">You what?!</span><br />
<br />
Yes, that was basically what one of my parent's response was. Recently I found out about a place called Higher Ground Ministry. It's a place in Kentucky that was started by a girl named Brystol who wanted to minister to people with horses. For those of you who read my blog, you may have noticed by now how I like to compare horse things to spiritual things. Have a flash back with me as we go back to 2012 for my High School Graduation. I had done a riding/training demonstration with my horse and explained how the horse's relationship with the trainer is like our relationship with God. The horse must choose to submit itself to the trainer in order for the trainer to accomplish amazing things with it; just as we must submit ourselves to God in order for Him to accomplish His amazing plan for us.<br />
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That was so much fun! As I look back, I see how little I really knew then, and how much I have learned since. Anyway I am praying about volunteering at least one week sometime this year or next year at Higher Ground Ministries in Kentucky . I am really excited that there is someone else out there that has a life that is only a dream at the moment for me. To be able to help out with a ministry like this and learn all it takes to do something like that would be such an amazing opportunity! I will post more as details unfold.Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481418030632599808.post-81769741377612443702014-04-04T09:12:00.001-07:002014-04-04T09:12:48.052-07:00Change Your Horse (and yourself)...One Step at a Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The biggest breakthrough in the riding and training of my horses
came from three simple words: control its feet. The first time it
exasperated me. How could I control my horse's feet when they were
constantly moving and I couldn't see where they were from the saddle? </div>
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It started with correcting my horse for a step forward by moving it back
into position. Then putting a foot back into position when a foot
stepped left or right. Then I started to tell my horse how many steps a
foot was allowed to take. The more I put more thought in this, the
more confused and frustrated I became because it took a lot of work and
focus. As I stuck with it, I learned to push aside my fears of doing
something wrong, and embrace the opportunity to try. Once I began
seeing changes in my horse's behavior, it was then I began to see how
valuable this advice was. For example if I stopped giving my horse's
feet direction, they would stop. If I corrected a foot for moving more
than what I had asked it to, the horse began to slow down, hesitating
to think about my cue before moving. Granted this didn't happen
immediately, but it did as I stayed consistent. For my athletic and
energized pony, the more control I had over her feet the more calm and
attentive she became. For my lazy and easy going horse, the more
control I had over his feet the more athletic and respectful he became.
Getting control of my horse's feet and understanding how the position
of their feet affected my horse's movement has enabled me to keep my
horse's attention and prevent myself from getting out of balance with my
horse. Eventually this understanding will enable me to do more difficult and advanced maneuvers such as spins and lead changes. </div>
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This one step at time concept has also applied to making changes in my own life. As I continue to study God's Word, accept instruction from other wise mature Christians, and desire to live a life that reflects Christ, I see so many areas in which I fall short of God's standards. Rather than getting discouraged and choosing not to try changing, I can take small steps in the right direction. For example, choosing to speak with a pleasant, friendly voice when I would rather just be silent because I'm finding it hard to love that person or choosing not to complain or get sullen when a parent is not in favor of my idea. Instead of getting all anxious and upset about the so many things that I'm not getting done or want to learn, I am learning to stop and ask Jesus to help me focus on the steps I need to take to get an overwhelming or unpleasant task accomplished. I am learning that great things are done, one step at a time.</div>
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<i>"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his <b>steps</b>."---Proverbs 16:9</i> </div>
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<i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T4k43knE9XEqgpM6W-UMytU8MWA0U_OWXlXyRmCgE06YzpbeWiEeBcbJO9RSrXRgVzYnlyOCKso-e_gj9ojBfZ2E1xF9Yq4ej76Y1UMK53tl5Xf691XyKj8gfmXaGUmgF5X911IQAnA/s1600/PA180053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T4k43knE9XEqgpM6W-UMytU8MWA0U_OWXlXyRmCgE06YzpbeWiEeBcbJO9RSrXRgVzYnlyOCKso-e_gj9ojBfZ2E1xF9Yq4ej76Y1UMK53tl5Xf691XyKj8gfmXaGUmgF5X911IQAnA/s1600/PA180053.JPG" height="183" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>"Direct my <b>steps</b> by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me."--Psalm 119:133</i></div>
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<i>"The <b>steps</b> of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."</i></div>
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<i>--Psalm 37:23</i></div>
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<i>"Does He not see my ways, and count all my <b>steps</b>?"--Job 31:4 </i></div>
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<i></i><i></i><span style="color: blue;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHCgVNuDWNZHwCVf8Z-xp6C40_vlK561KgWr9JmC2pNBUusZUVeH0Lnx46ec4tBWX8gz8D81NkMCMd6yzLCKeoPLUpGImYXGiwiz0QEoYs2FoPSWyVeOWHS0mpKFg-i2Shu8lFPWLSns/s1600/PA180056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHCgVNuDWNZHwCVf8Z-xp6C40_vlK561KgWr9JmC2pNBUusZUVeH0Lnx46ec4tBWX8gz8D81NkMCMd6yzLCKeoPLUpGImYXGiwiz0QEoYs2FoPSWyVeOWHS0mpKFg-i2Shu8lFPWLSns/s1600/PA180056.JPG" height="156" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His <b>steps</b>:
Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth, who, when He
was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not
threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who
Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died
to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.</i></div>
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<i>1 Peter 2:21-24</i></div>
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Here are the words to a song that continues to be an encouragement to me as I grow up.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Little by Little</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>by Ron Hamilton </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>When mountains tower rugged and high,</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>rise to the challenge look to the sky.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Trust in the Lord and start out to climb;</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>reach for the goal one step at a time!</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Growing in Christ takes work every day;</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>reading your Bible learning to pray.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Build godly habits, seek help divine;</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>great things are done one step at a time! </i></span></div>
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<i> </i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><u>Chorus:</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Little by little inch by inch </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>By the yard it's hard, </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>by the inch what a cinch. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Never stair up the stairs; </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>just step up the steps. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Little by little inch by inch</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>"It's a cinch!</i>"</span></div>
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<i> </i><i>"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little there a little." Isaiah 28:10</i></div>
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<br />Hannah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08489785696881042068noreply@blogger.com0