tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63706208273950294002024-03-15T16:17:16.459-07:00Life Aid 101Helping all of us as we venture through this life. And, helping parents and grandparents navigate kids through the childhood, adolescent and post-teenage years...Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.comBlogger415125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-24946873261299729082024-03-15T16:17:00.000-07:002024-03-15T16:17:15.510-07:00The Movie: "The Passion of Christ"<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF7VmGDVwBSRM6Ow5PFtyv6RMp0a3OO4Vv0cH6xRbNyqkR4osOINE3VdsOyQNadM6qfPMuD7qg7aLLElGCiQDs6kLcE3TN1-dpGqTDw8a9htuxx3k6UlSngpfJyUH91BbcOyXka8z2sOVBYQ3RTkU4sFsgGwxnh5qKfOW_-A243NylatRxTMwBSYd4uM/s512/Jesus-Passion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF7VmGDVwBSRM6Ow5PFtyv6RMp0a3OO4Vv0cH6xRbNyqkR4osOINE3VdsOyQNadM6qfPMuD7qg7aLLElGCiQDs6kLcE3TN1-dpGqTDw8a9htuxx3k6UlSngpfJyUH91BbcOyXka8z2sOVBYQ3RTkU4sFsgGwxnh5qKfOW_-A243NylatRxTMwBSYd4uM/s320/Jesus-Passion.jpg" width="223" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” -John 3:16</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There have been a lot of movies made but perhaps none as moving and intense as “The Passion of Christ.” The movie, about the life of Jesus Christ, has left its mark on everyone. I read these facts and observations about the movie: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Mel Gibson, who was the brains and money behind the movie, warned actor Jim Caviezel that playing the character of Christ was going to be very difficult and that if he accepted, he most likely would be marginalized by Hollywood.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />Caviezel asked for a day to think about it and his response to Mel, who was funding and directing the movie was, "I think we have to make it, even if it is difficult." And something else, my initials are J.C., and I am thirty-three years old. I didn't realize that until now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />Mel responded with "You're really scaring me you know."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />During filming, Jim Caviezel, who plays the part of Jesus lost forty-five pounds, he was struck by lightning, he was accidentally struck twice during the scourging scene leaving a deep fourteen-inch scar, he dislocated his shoulder when the cross was dropped into the hole with him on the cross. He then suffered pneumonia and hypothermia from being nearly naked with only a loin cloth on the cross for endless hours. The crucifixion scene alone took five weeks of the two months of shooting.<br /><br />His body was so stressed and exhausted from playing the role that he had to undergo two open heart surgeries after the filming production. Jim explained, "I didn't want people to see me. I just wanted them to see Jesus because conversions will happen through that." Almost like a clairvoyant prediction many amazing things happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />Pedro Sarubbi, who played Barabbas, felt that it was not Caviezel, who was looking at him, but Jesus Christ himself. As he played his role of Barabbas, he said of Caviezel, "His eyes had no hatred or resentment towards me, only mercy and love."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />Luca Lionello, the artist who played Judas, was an avowed atheist before shooting began. He eventually converted and baptized his children. One of the main technicians working on the film was a Muslim converted to Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />Some producers said they saw actors dressed in white they didn't recognize during one of the filming sessions, and when they reviewed the recordings, they realized they couldn't see them in the footage.<br /><br />The Passion of the Christ is the highest grossing U.S. religious movie, as well as the highest R-rated film of all time, with $370.8 million! Worldwide, it grossed $611 million.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />More importantly, it has reached hundreds of millions of people around the world. Mel Gibson paid thirty million dollars out of his own pocket for the production of the film because no studio would take on the project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today Jim Caviezel simply and boldly proclaims his faith in Christ. He says that the experience was a miracle for him as he represented Christ as an actor and he became a greater believer of Christ.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Passion of Christ is not a fairy tale movie. It’s the more-than-true story of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the story of God’s love and provision for us. We all have to respond to God’s amazing provision of life and eternal security. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May we all submit ourselves to God through His Son Jesus Christ, no matter the costs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-7509283371000366542024-02-14T11:25:00.000-08:002024-02-14T11:25:21.307-08:00Love Poured Out but Filling Up<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtPOrW15vUapNJ2Iy3hM8zUPZLk2tWwArBsDsSQlD0nar_5L0uozp9ozV6VW5dBWpivr4tSQ0C8UElHeNba_eEgvx4XqXIer-qEXjY6Etox7rpppxK35ifNRCdbvFKnWk1VEEWFUBqP-2hJSH2DCshMNpHZz5AK0IaFvOeq5CaqspWo_ss_jBxZNolEs/s420/Love%20copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="420" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtPOrW15vUapNJ2Iy3hM8zUPZLk2tWwArBsDsSQlD0nar_5L0uozp9ozV6VW5dBWpivr4tSQ0C8UElHeNba_eEgvx4XqXIer-qEXjY6Etox7rpppxK35ifNRCdbvFKnWk1VEEWFUBqP-2hJSH2DCshMNpHZz5AK0IaFvOeq5CaqspWo_ss_jBxZNolEs/s320/Love%20copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“…the love of God has been<sup> </sup>poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” -</i><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Rom. 5:5</span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today is, you guessed it, Valentine’s Day! I love this day. It’s filled with candy, flowers and love. But I’m not exactly sure why it’s today? I’m sure its roots are the Roman God’s weird celebrations from thousands of years ago. But for us twenty first century people, I’m glad it’s a beautiful celebration of love.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Celebrations of love are a good thing- or better said, CAN be a good thing. I guess it depends on the source and kind of love. Because, truth is, love is one of those slippery words that comes and goes. Today we love the Kansas City Chiefs, but next year, if they lose to the Raiders, we’ll think they stink. Today, if we win the lottery, we love our God who provides, but tomorrow, when we have five dollars in our checking account, we feel abandoned and alone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">We so easily forget that God’s love, the true love, is sure and solid and strong. It isn’t dependent on circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13). When we come to know Christ, His love is “poured out within our hearts.” When we surrender our lives to Him, he grants us the Holy Spirit who supplies love over and over and over (and over). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians 1:13 reminds us:<i> “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.” </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Though we are forever sealed with the “Holy Spirit of promise,” the maintenance of that “seal” is so important. Though the sealed love doesn’t require us to earn it over again (it’s forever sealed), the choice to live in it is ours. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Regardless of the circumstances, God’s <i>agape</i> love is solid and sure. Again, that is the love that is “poured out within our hearts.” The challenge is the maintenance of that love within our hearts. Like someone said, “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?” There are so many sneaky ways that we replace that love with other things. First Thessalonians 5:19 reminds us “not to quench the Holy Spirit.” Though we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we still can leave Him out of the picture. Though we have a comfy heavy coat to wear, we decide to go outside in a t-shirt. Guess what: in February, we get cold! Why wouldn’t we wear the coat? No great reason except that we want to be in control. Too often our pride rules and we make dumb decisions when we leave God out of the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">But when we leave the Holy Spirit alive and well and in control in our hearts, hope rules the day. It doesn’t mean everything is perfect around us but it does mean our heart is full inside of us- full of the Holy Spirit of promise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">May we all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Whether we’re with our sweetheart or alone, may we all rest in the awesome love supplied by our awesome God. He made a way for us by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. Now, through Christ, we have true fellowship with God. We can now experience and live in His love for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Enjoy the candy and don’t forget to smell the roses but enjoy the ultimate <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">celebration of love in the presence of our awesome God who chose and chooses to love us all over again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">As the love of God is poured out on us, may we pour out that love on those around us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid101.com<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-15001468013346881802024-01-05T13:46:00.000-08:002024-01-05T13:46:52.430-08:00Family, Part Two<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcKX39hSSlsFaUqBkIczco9yNQ_XMDuaI5tMGWGIZz2MxkwB5VwnXI0V6m6ccnFs_K4uR9KQcn3BV4TZ9Mw66UhQH7p_BbtlryPoZ5bG7XN6FN15VBFgAnL3IXzVLqdBzXzFl5TObgUW6aDQgBi3ZDdD0086-H8RgRWOBCcVnyYxZT_i0pCqNoU4sUc0/s2049/Destin%20'23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcKX39hSSlsFaUqBkIczco9yNQ_XMDuaI5tMGWGIZz2MxkwB5VwnXI0V6m6ccnFs_K4uR9KQcn3BV4TZ9Mw66UhQH7p_BbtlryPoZ5bG7XN6FN15VBFgAnL3IXzVLqdBzXzFl5TObgUW6aDQgBi3ZDdD0086-H8RgRWOBCcVnyYxZT_i0pCqNoU4sUc0/s320/Destin%20'23.JPG" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16</i><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some amazing people. The opportunity to meet highly talented athletes, pastors and politicians has been such an honor. All reinforced (mostly) the creed that “the harder we work, the higher we climb” for fame and importance.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">But, over the years, I’ve learned an important lesson: there is more value in who we are than in what we do. Yes, being a hard worker is important. But the integrity of our soul and definition of who we are speaks with more consistency and integrity than simply working hard. Fame and importance are legitimate strengths but love and service might be less obvious but longer lasting.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">So, the people that I’ve encountered in this life who are important and famous are not necessarily actors and professional athletes but are people who have hearts of love and integrity.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The most important people to me are my family. Each and every one of them is a gift. Like all of us, they come in all different sizes and shapes, filled with the ups and downs that every single human possesses. Some of them have gone on to the next life with God and others weren’t born too long ago. But all are important.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">My dad and mom, Pelham and Mildred Staples, and Jeanie’s dad and mom, Burton and Marion Beadle, are and were amazing men and women. They worked hard to love on their families and raise awesome kids.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jeanie’s sister Holly, is such a true friend with Jeanie and her brothers, David, Brian and Bill, are great men.<span class="apple-converted-space"> Trent, Holly’s husband, has been a good friend as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">My brothers, Pelham, Marc and Bob, have been and are amazing role models for me. Their spouses, Jean, Sally, Brenda and Lisa are amazing as well. My dad, being a career Air Force physician, meant we moved a lot growing up and my dear brothers were always there to take care of their youngest brother Joey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jeanie, my beautiful bride, was and is such a wonderful gift. She is easily my best friend and has been such an encourager and support for me.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Elizabeth, our oldest daughter, has been such a blessing. With such a huge servant’s heart, she is a wonderful mom and wife. Mark, her husband, is a great dad, husband and friend to me.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Their kids, Reese, Lucy and Griffin, are a bundle of joy and energy and so, so talented.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Eric, our son, has been a blessing as well. Always faithful and supportive, he loves his kids and Jennifer, his amazing wife, so, so much. He has been a great friend to me as well. Jen is a great mom and wife to Eric. Their kids, James, Reid, and Felicity are growing, energetic and so, so talented as well.<span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">And so many amazing friends from over the years. Too many to name, but faithful and selfless friends, all there during my up’s and down’s. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Yes, those are “famous and important people” I’ve encountered in this life. Of course, all the credit goes to our awesome and wonderful God. All the “fame” is really His. He produces amazing people to be about His will. Our responsibility is to yield ourselves to His plans and stay true to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">As we head into 2024, I want to “Thank You Lord” for all of these amazing people that You have brought into my life. The “encounters” have been such a blessing. I pray our lives continue to cross.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> And I pray our “encounters” with You, Lord, continue to deepen and widen. Thank you for being “with” us in this life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Certainly, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus this season, we are celebrating the choice You made to be “with” us. You didn’t have to do that. You are certainly an awesome God. We didn’t deserve it, but you made a way, through Jesus, that we might have an intimate relationship with You. Not only did you send Jesus as a baby, but You sent that Jesus to die on a cross for our sins that the door would open for us to have a relationship with You. The connection that you enabled for us through family is even deeper with you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;">All we can say is “thank you” Lord, for being our Savior and for our wonderful family. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="http://www.lifeaid101.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-27034899587864440532023-11-15T14:15:00.000-08:002023-11-15T14:15:51.248-08:00What Is That To You?<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-egEonWn4sDpjvtf0zzeV46aVGmCdRzAhSsM4xtezTu9qGlzx_Y7HGd6CNjBCEaB3_1GUaNmWPyr_AUB_v_Ovpf5uAFrYxe-e7ZInkvBxuJLUNBUAlt-82xMU56Vok8tWa_T3CUfcuPEmZFDn-9UMGZ5XI8-Rts00jui6CB8-_BzMoC0z0rGXR3gVEk/s960/26921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-egEonWn4sDpjvtf0zzeV46aVGmCdRzAhSsM4xtezTu9qGlzx_Y7HGd6CNjBCEaB3_1GUaNmWPyr_AUB_v_Ovpf5uAFrYxe-e7ZInkvBxuJLUNBUAlt-82xMU56Vok8tWa_T3CUfcuPEmZFDn-9UMGZ5XI8-Rts00jui6CB8-_BzMoC0z0rGXR3gVEk/s320/26921.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“Peter…said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him,”…what is that to you? You follow me.” -John 21:21-22</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A while back, I’d promised to occasionally call on my hero, Oswald Chambers, to share his thoughts on LifeAid 101. This morning I was reading in his most famous writing, “My Utmost for His Highest” and his words hit me like a ton of bricks. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I don’t doubt for a second that God called me into the counseling world- the privilege to step alongside people and help them “bear their burdens.” But what He did not call me into was taking responsibility for their burdens. A lot of us parents, grandparents, and …people take on unhealthy amounts of responsibility for others. You might have read this devotional before, but let it sink into your soul. Enjoy Oswald (better said, enjoy God through Oswald):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 37.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">•••“One of the hardest lessons to learn comes from our stubborn refusal to refrain from interfering in other people’s lives. It takes a long time to realize the danger of being an amateur providence, that is, interfering with God’s plan for others. You see someone suffering and say, “He will not suffer, and I will make sure that he doesn’t.” You put your hand right in front of God’s permissive will to stop it, and then God says, “What is that to you?” Is there stagnation in your spiritual life? Don’t allow it to continue, but get into God’s presence and find out the reason for it. You will possibly find it is because you have been interfering in the life of another— proposing things you had no right to propose, or advising when you had no right to advise. When you do have to give advice to another person, God will advise through you with the direct understanding of His Spirit. Your part is to maintain the right relationship with God so that His discernment can come through you continually for the purpose of blessing someone else. Most of us live only within the level of consciousness— consciously serving and consciously devoted to God. This shows immaturity and the fact that we’re not yet living the real Christian life. Maturity is produced in the life of a child of God on the unconscious level, until we become so totally surrendered to God that we are not even aware of being used by Him. When we are consciously aware of being used as broken bread and poured-out wine, we have yet another level to reach— a level where all awareness of ourselves and of what God is doing through us is completely eliminated. A saint is never consciously a saint— a saint is consciously dependent on God.”•••</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 37.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It is SO good to, in God’s will, care and love others but not so good to take responsibility for others. I’m in charge of me and how I show up. It doesn’t mean I love any less. The truth is I’m able to love even more when I’m staying in His care, dependent on Him. May we all love the Lord our God and, in His care, love those around us.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 37.5pt; margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples © </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; margin-right: -7.5pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"> </span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-68527938686173467022023-11-08T14:43:00.003-08:002023-11-08T14:48:12.350-08:00What Things Have Mattered Most to You in Life?<p> </p><div id="replies" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(4, 42, 33); color: #042a21; font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji";"><div class="reply" data-type="reply" id="654bd65ffa6dfde8d774322d" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; 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border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; position: relative;"><div class="sticky top-8 flex h-9 justify-end" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; height: 2.25rem; justify-content: flex-end; position: sticky; top: 2rem;"><button class="btn secondary group-hover:small mr-[-1.125rem] mt-[-0.75rem] flex h-9 w-9 justify-center p-0 group-hover:w-auto group-hover:px-5 group-hover:py-2" style="--tw-bg-opacity: 1; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(6 128 137 / var(--tw-ring-opacity)); --tw-ring-inset: inset; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: var(--tw-ring-inset) 0 0 0 var(--tw-ring-offset-width) var(--tw-ring-offset-color); --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-opacity: 1; --tw-ring-shadow: var(--tw-ring-inset) 0 0 0 calc(2px + var(--tw-ring-offset-width)) var(--tw-ring-color); --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0px 4px 16px var(--tw-shadow-color); --tw-shadow: 0px 4px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; align-items: center; appearance: button; background-color: rgb(255 255 255 / var(--tw-bg-opacity)); background-image: none; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-radius: 1.5rem; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: var(--tw-ring-offset-shadow), var(--tw-ring-shadow), var(--tw-shadow, 0 0 #0000); color: rgb(6 128 137 / var(--tw-text-opacity)); cursor: pointer; display: flex; font-family: "GT America", Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; height: 2.25rem; justify-content: center; letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 20px; margin: -0.75rem -1.125rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; transition-duration: 150ms; transition-property: color, background-color, border-color, text-decoration-color, fill, stroke, opacity, box-shadow, transform, filter, backdrop-filter, -webkit-backdrop-filter; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1); width: 2.25rem;" type="button"><span class="sr-only group-hover:not-sr-only" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-x-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin-bottom: -1px; margin-left: calc(0.5rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-x-reverse))); margin-right: calc(0.5rem * var(--tw-space-x-reverse)); margin-top: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; white-space: nowrap; width: 1px;">EDIT</span></button></div><div class="m-auto px-4 pb-4 sm:px-24" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; 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--tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 28px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtwv1DboaZAA8siZlQVjLluHhXwgKgDgrY5rRB5dLW5zbzmkSkOskVVNnGgfrmCZeTWqg1sC_-wxLFdBafkQPqGeZvANIFeje2cRmuJ1BQhkDR33t4qQT1j-Kj4XOPwkd4yvG2GaRp3_O9-EnC-su49_TrlgYuHdKBSin0jl-bKVJMZ2hpMezjwz5rjw/s2049/BB12B315-4778-4DA5-A96C-7D733A828D26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtwv1DboaZAA8siZlQVjLluHhXwgKgDgrY5rRB5dLW5zbzmkSkOskVVNnGgfrmCZeTWqg1sC_-wxLFdBafkQPqGeZvANIFeje2cRmuJ1BQhkDR33t4qQT1j-Kj4XOPwkd4yvG2GaRp3_O9-EnC-su49_TrlgYuHdKBSin0jl-bKVJMZ2hpMezjwz5rjw/w320-h240/BB12B315-4778-4DA5-A96C-7D733A828D26.JPG" title="Beach" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="caption w-full mx-auto text-center max-w-full break-inside-avoid" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; break-inside: avoid; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; text-align: center; width: 675px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: left;"><i>“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” -Matthew 6:33</i></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">It is amazing how our “what matters the most” list changes over the years. Back in the day, my priorities were football, soccer, hunting, the Cowboys and the Rangers. Oh yeah- and getting my allowance on Friday mattered too! And now, faith, family and friends make all the difference. That list changes as we grow older and wiser. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">Age and wisdom don’t necessarily go together. We like to think that gray hair equals wisdom but unless we’re learning along the way, we keep repeating a lot of the same mistakes. The “matters” of life make all the difference. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">Someone said, “Let the God who created you also be the One who defines you.” It makes sense that the Creator would have more wisdom than the created. And how awesome that the God who created us desires that personal relationship with us. He could have created us then left the stage, to move away from the mess of our lives. But He desires a personal relationship with us and and the more we stay focused on His “matters,” the more at peace we are. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">He has always “stayed the course” and continues to be our Rock and our Fortress. The matters that really “matter” to me are of vital concern to Him. I’m convinced that God loves to watch football games. I think He loves comebacks in sports- of course, Jesus’ return will be the ultimate comeback win. The God-given priorities of this life are of vital concern to Him. Those are the things that matter the most: faith, family and friends.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">Faith in our marvelous God makes all the difference. God has been such a blessing. He has always been faithful and true to His nature and His will. He has always been there for me- in trial and difficulty as well as blessing. I am so thankful for His love. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">Family has been such a blessing. My beautiful wife Jeanie has been more than I could have ever dreamed, these 40 plus years. Eric and Elizabeth have been wonderful kids and their spouses, Jennifer and Mark, have been such a blessing. Our grandkids, Reese, Lucy, Griffin, James, Reid, and Felicity, have been wonderful. Our extended family, other Staples’ and Beadle’s, have been a blessing as well. They all “matter” because the roots in the Staples and Beadle families carry integrity and love. Not perfect for sure, but loving and faithful. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">And friends have been such a blessing. Through different seasons of this life, God has brought so many wonderful friends- not just “many friends” but “friends that stick closer than brothers.” Friends growing up in Fort Worth, friends as we raised our family in Branson and friends as we’re moving through this new season of life. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">May we all make sure that the things that matter in our lives are the things that truly make a difference. May we seek our wonderful God first and His priorities in our lives.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-space-y-reverse: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: calc(0.75rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse)); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: calc(0.75rem * calc(1 - var(--tw-space-y-reverse)));">www.life101.com</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-89005972101217625482023-10-10T09:36:00.002-07:002023-10-10T09:53:52.526-07:00True Friendship<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC_248p7ji7DvGuSRtrBpl_e9iDfXjvyW8SapS59SoolxbcfAzIkSDNTLWK0ksZo9ANVVKMat7J2EaxBIGRfsj2RZn-L2jBjrgl1L5FKNQJROp3WXkSIgOHvVwz1aB6AMV10Ehx8N6EWWXXlZKBw7l-GTSfeibjJLdgZTzhsDZ_ZJdo_-1_FTSG9xb6E/s1837/77537FA9-BB78-481B-B9DC-CDFEEC58751D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1837" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC_248p7ji7DvGuSRtrBpl_e9iDfXjvyW8SapS59SoolxbcfAzIkSDNTLWK0ksZo9ANVVKMat7J2EaxBIGRfsj2RZn-L2jBjrgl1L5FKNQJROp3WXkSIgOHvVwz1aB6AMV10Ehx8N6EWWXXlZKBw7l-GTSfeibjJLdgZTzhsDZ_ZJdo_-1_FTSG9xb6E/s320/77537FA9-BB78-481B-B9DC-CDFEEC58751D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“A man of too many friends comes to ruin but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” -Proverbs 18:24<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">We humans weren’t meant to live life on our own. We were obviously designed by our awesome God to share life together. But so many of us are soloing through this life. Proverbs 17:17 (and a zillion other verses) reminds us that “a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Can we have too many friends? Yes. It’s not how many we have but how deep the friendships go that matters.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s being sure that the friendship has depth. “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” -Prov. 27:17. Friendship is a verb, not a noun. “Sharpening” sounds good but the truth is it involves sparks and heat and friction. Someone said that a true friend is someone who is willing to stab you in the front. I thank God I have and have had those kinds of friends in my life! (though I don’t like the truth they share sometimes :))<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have been super blessed my whole life to have had several awesome friends in several different friendship areas. There are common attributes in all the men and women that God has used and is using to shape and mold and chip away at this mess called Joey Staples. There are too many friends to name but there are five qualities that I see in the lives of these wonderful friends God has brought into my life who I admire so much. They are all attributes of love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Steadfastness. None of my friends are perfect. But they are solid to the core. No doubt, their depth is because of their relationship to the Rock itself, Jesus Christ. They are able to stand strong because He is more than able to bear the burden.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Patience. If a friendship is a dependent relationship, it doesn’t work very well. “I’ll love you if…” never lasts very long. I am so thankful that my friends have been willing to be patient with me. We are all still under construction and friends who are willing to hang in there make all the difference.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tough love. I’ve made mistakes over the years and my best friends have been willing to lovingly confront me, speak truth in love and make me better. Not fun all the time, but all a part of why God designed us all to be relational and connected with each other.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Empathy. My best friends have been spot-on honest with me, but they have also been super understanding. Yes, they have been willing to confront and correct me, but they have also been patient and understanding. That’s the definition of true love and at the heart of empathy: understanding and a willingness to share the load with me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fun. A flaw in my temperament is a tendency to take life way too seriously. Though some of my friends have warped sense of humors (seriously), I love their humor and laugh and appreciate their willingness to slow me down. I really do think that Jesus had a great sense of humor. I can just imagine some of His comments to the disciples. At just the right time, it brought smiles to their faces and settled everyone down.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Again, thank you to all my dear friends. Some of you have gone on to the next life and I look forward to seeing you again one day. I am just so thankful for my older and younger friends, for my family friends, for my ministry friends, my adult kids Eric and Elizabeth and for my beautiful wife Jeanie. You have all been so loving to me. I do value YOU so much. God has used you in so many ways and I want to again say THANK YOU and that I love you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-28927697473913331012023-09-21T14:14:00.000-07:002023-09-21T14:14:00.239-07:00Fifteen Hundred Miles and Loving It<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLw0mc6pLG-c_74py9oAXUXkI4r-iuNWsNKuf3nSZFEc65r1mGGkrgbDGiuibdRjoLTJYOJ3STVyz0jxaMfkWx4CpuvcwVQRMBjBY2dRAUH1UjCpiLaUuOHnTGpun3x2gosPRXAt16wfae0v7eIHxVtCsW6eZUwDa_PKGaBmXydsi1lasW1p5wzmVJSDc/s900/map-of-central-united-states-jennifer-thermes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLw0mc6pLG-c_74py9oAXUXkI4r-iuNWsNKuf3nSZFEc65r1mGGkrgbDGiuibdRjoLTJYOJ3STVyz0jxaMfkWx4CpuvcwVQRMBjBY2dRAUH1UjCpiLaUuOHnTGpun3x2gosPRXAt16wfae0v7eIHxVtCsW6eZUwDa_PKGaBmXydsi1lasW1p5wzmVJSDc/w305-h320/map-of-central-united-states-jennifer-thermes.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Fifteen Hundred Miles Traveling and Loving It</span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” - Romans 5:8</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Love is a verb. It’s not a word to describe an action, it is an action. God’s love toward us is like that. God “shows” His love toward us, not “showed” His love toward us. He’s always loving us! Why? Because we are His.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeanie and I just got home from a wonderful, ten days of travel. We went to Baton Rouge first and spent great time with her family. We love them so much and the South Louisiana cuisine is SO good- yes, we ate well. Then we travelled northeast to Nashville to be with our son Eric, his wife Jen and their three kiddos. We had a blast at soccer games, playing games and running in the yard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">From Branson, south to Baton Rouge, northeast to Nashville, we figured we travelled around fifteen hundred miles. We went around in a great big circle. And it was worth every single mile because we got to be with people we love. Love does that, it goes, and it loves in the going. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I just read the United Nations report that four thousand people have died across Libya due to the catastrophic flooding. They added that more than nine thousand people are still missing and presumed dead. At some point the numbers overload our brains and the “thousands” do not compute. We understand six teenagers dying in a car wreck and we mourn the loss, but thousands dying is just too much. But the numbers never overwhelm our awesome God. God loves each one of us uniquely. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">As a young teenager, I was at a Young Life Youth meeting my freshman year in high school and my wonderful leader, Tom Wilson, shared with the group, “Did you know that if you’d been the only person alive on planet earth, Jesus still would have died on the cross for your sin? He loves you that much.” What he said pierced my heart. I’d gone to church my whole life but at that moment, I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. Yes, our loving God loves mankind, but more specifically, He loves each person, individually.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">You might ask, “What difference does it make? He loves everyone and He loves me.” Somehow when I’m thrown into the pot with everyone else, it’s different than knowing my loving God desires connection with me. He knows us and loves us with such intimacy. God’s love is a verb and if we’ll give Him room, He will fill us with love, joy, compassion and understanding. When life is hard (and it will be), He will be our “Rock and our Fortress, the place we can run to and be safe.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">May we all rest in the love that God showed but mostly in the love that God is showing. That’s where true peace exists. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-39675143268511617102023-06-19T09:30:00.000-07:002023-06-19T09:30:06.998-07:00Dad<p><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgZOAi91kovdNkXRn4EOZDj2amsedHJ9YfYrlPeHAiJ69GyupJ-xUXc2sgEiQGdoY5bBtlBpQxrN8Qy13JLvcuda6gPdQVl6xsngsHPjaYWNRM63F-O3Scd_GvhhbjI9Nd4kWp0m3Qr661XzG0PiJzCSTp5EpM8riMNW6vYbCx7ppOT_Epkwg-x82YXE/s1664/7C4D72D7-352C-4308-B765-FDBE862B764B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="1452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgZOAi91kovdNkXRn4EOZDj2amsedHJ9YfYrlPeHAiJ69GyupJ-xUXc2sgEiQGdoY5bBtlBpQxrN8Qy13JLvcuda6gPdQVl6xsngsHPjaYWNRM63F-O3Scd_GvhhbjI9Nd4kWp0m3Qr661XzG0PiJzCSTp5EpM8riMNW6vYbCx7ppOT_Epkwg-x82YXE/s320/7C4D72D7-352C-4308-B765-FDBE862B764B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="279" /></a></span></i></div><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />“Honor your father…” –Exodus 20:12</span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This Father’s Day, as I do every Father’s Day, I want to honor the wonderful legacy of my father, Pelham Staples. This year, I’m a day late with this one, but my dad’s legacy is timeless. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">My dad was born April 3, 1919 in Roopville, Georgia on a cotton farm. He was the fourth son of seven kids. After serving in World War II, he married my mom, went to medical school and practiced medicine for his whole career. But his main focus was always his four boys, of which I was the youngest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">My dad died suddenly in 1988. He was my father, my hero and my security. When he died, my world stopped for a while. Even though it was 30 years ago, it seems like yesterday. I still miss him very much. The sting of grief has definitely turned into something sweeter than before, but I know that a part of me is gone and will never return. I also know that I have a heavenly Father that is more than capable of filling that void in my heart left on that cold December day. And I am so thankful for <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">my wonderful family! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’s funny the things we remember about those that we love. When I think of my dad, I remember things he said. He was a man of few words and language meant a lot to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“There are a lot of things worse than dying.” He often spoke of the sadness of lack of love within family, living a life of empty conceit and the importance of living life to fullest. I saw my dad die a lot through his giving spirit and unselfish attitude. He was a giver. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Worrying doesn’t stop the rain- besides the farmers need it.” Seldom did he comment on the rain-instead he rejoiced in who was receiving the blessing. My dad’s agrarian background often showed in his appreciation of nature. We’d be driving along, and he’d comment on “the beautiful crops.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> “Joey, I’d love to decide for you, but I’ll only decide with you.” I went to him for so much counsel. “Should I go to Baylor? What should be my major? What do I do after college? Should I marry this beautiful girl named Jeanie? Should we move to Branson?” With all the questions came that same response. He knew I needed to own my life, but he was always there for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">After he died, as we sat at visitation at the funeral home, an old pickup truck pulled up in front and a well-dressed Mexican family filed out of the truck, 4 girls and the mom and dad. It was Gonzalo, my dad’s helper at our ranch, and his family. They had driven all the way from west Texas to honor my dad. They came over to my mom and the brothers and introduced themselves. Then he pulled up the cuff of his pants to show us his lizard skin boots. “Your father gave me these boots. One day he noticed my boots were old and worn out and right there on the spot he took off his boots and gave them to me. I will never forget Dr. Staples and I come to honor him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">My dad would be the first to say he was far from perfect. But he was a dad that loved. I am so thankful I got to be his son, and that I can live the rest of my life to honor him and my heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Happy Fathers day!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.Lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-32866246790079576162023-06-16T12:56:00.000-07:002023-06-16T12:56:21.193-07:00Staying In My Yard<p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw24kH8Ges9ug5w3DxGq-e_1oBeOEPD1bwDijvS0-Z0TLtlA8iCiGJtdAb4dmUQEHbXiUCw27AHiOZtJT3XsDboV6SWEZdwkp972HmcNeu2m_NqDpVal_PJziWF21_1TY9vAsjRLFKJ6p-bXClX3batjmE268TddJRq01qkACQOUgfFc4hX_o2Sj51/s873/train_dog_not_to_jump.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="873" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw24kH8Ges9ug5w3DxGq-e_1oBeOEPD1bwDijvS0-Z0TLtlA8iCiGJtdAb4dmUQEHbXiUCw27AHiOZtJT3XsDboV6SWEZdwkp972HmcNeu2m_NqDpVal_PJziWF21_1TY9vAsjRLFKJ6p-bXClX3batjmE268TddJRq01qkACQOUgfFc4hX_o2Sj51/s320/train_dog_not_to_jump.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Lord, what shall this man do?…What is that to thee? Follow thou Me” </span></i></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>- John 21:21,22</i></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here is another Oswald Chambers classic from his devotional, <i>“My Utmost from His Highest”</i>dated Nov. 15<sup>th</sup>. It’s titled, <i>“What is That to Thee?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Oswald Chambers lived 1874-1917. Oswald was a P.K., a pastor, a teacher, principal of a Bible training college, a YMCA Chaplain, an author, a husband, and a dad. He died unexpectedly from complications with appendicitis at forty-three years old. Even in his short life, He made such a difference for Christ and his message still lives on. I’ve been learning from him nearly every morning for more than forty years! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He was a giver and a server, so we can learn much from his perspective! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span class="None"><b><u><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My Utmost from His Highest<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://utmost.org/classic/today/"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Hyperlink1" style="background: white;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">November 15</span></span><span class="None"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></a><span class="None"> <i>What Is That to Thee?<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in;"><span style="position: relative; z-index: 251659264;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="height: 14px; left: -7px; position: absolute; top: -72px; width: 464px;"></span></span></span></p><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td height="0" width="0"></td><td width="14"></td><td width="437"></td><td width="13"></td></tr><tr><td height="14"></td><td align="left" valign="top"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></td><td></td><td align="left" valign="top"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="color: #3a3635; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #3a3635; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">“One of our severest lessons comes from the stubborn refusal to see that we must not interfere in other people’s lives. It takes a long time to realize the danger of being an amateur providence, that is, interfering with God’s order for others. You see a certain person suffering, and you say — “He shall not suffer, and I will see that he does not.” You put your hand straight in front of God’s permissive will to prevent it, and God says — “What is that to thee?” If there is stagnation spiritually, never allow it to go on, but get into God’s presence and find out the reason for it. Possibly you will find it is because you have been interfering in the life of another; proposing things you had no right to propose; advising when you had no right to advise. When you do have to give advice to another, God will advise through you with the direct understanding of His Spirit; your part is to be so rightly related to God that His discernment comes through you all the time for the blessing of another soul.</span></p><p><span style="color: #3a3635;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Most of us live on the borders of consciousness — consciously serving, consciously devoted to God. All this is immature, it is not the real life yet. The mature stage is the life of a child which is never conscious; we become so abandoned to God that the consciousness of being used never enters in. When we are consciously being used as broken bread and poured-out wine, there is another stage to be reached, where all consciousness of ourselves and of what God is doing through us is eliminated. A saint is never consciously a saint; a saint is consciously dependent on God.”</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #3a3635;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">Wow! This is such an important reminder that, as servants and teachers and counselors, being used by God, we are NOT “fixers.” Our responsibility is not to always fix the problem, but to have unaltered dependence on God. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">“Depend on the Lord.” Most of us have heard that challenge our whole lives, but the dependency hangs on our willingness to let go and let God have control. Most of us grab responsibility for people and things that are not ours to grab and force the situation to work.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">Dependence means we trust God with the person or situation or thing. We “give it over” time and time again, if need be. In the “letting go” we release to our awesome God the load we’ve been carrying. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">Yes, there are times when God calls us to go into the other person’s “yard” and help or correct or serve. But there are also times when God says to “stay in your own yard.” Yes, that other yard could use some mowing, weed pulling and watering, but that’s not </span></span><span class="None"><u><span style="color: #3a3635;">our</span></u></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"> job.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">We do “interfere” when we just kick into “help-control” mode to fix someone and their circumstance. Let’s all go to our wonderful Lord first and seek His direction. His message might be, “Yes, you’ve discerned correctly, that there is a problem with this person. But no, it’s not your problem to fix, so move on.” </span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">It’s all a part of the Lord’s marching orders. And those “</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="DE" style="color: #3a3635;">orders</span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">” are discerned through prayer and the counsel of our wonderful God.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">May we all be people who are willing to help and serve. And may we all be people who are seeking God’s will as we reach out. If He says “go,” we go. If He says “stay,” we stay. Rest and peace follow when we seek His will and follow it. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">May we rest and flourish in that peace. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span lang="FR" style="color: #3a3635;">By Eric Joseph Staples </span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">©</span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></span><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Body" style="border: medium; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 13.5pt;"><span class="None"><span style="color: #3a3635;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-71385548869361829872023-05-23T13:17:00.001-07:002023-05-23T13:17:52.266-07:00Rest Over Fatigue, Part Two<p><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #051018; font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbrj8waBcxT2jUV7RPRimrFr1clmlStrA89bY3E6OuVQ-4ziZjNVsEOYiU_IKXfE2UxQu1_4MhGpSu2Jk3vLL5tiWZ7iXSWoFBwp_uaUb2W-r1wkMTEhyB6iAAvXtyROFcMVuPcrBYQVD1H3fz8LrECRfuoIsa6oNArIYeoOziNkQls2PKJN8z3Sa/s257/Fatigue.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="257" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbrj8waBcxT2jUV7RPRimrFr1clmlStrA89bY3E6OuVQ-4ziZjNVsEOYiU_IKXfE2UxQu1_4MhGpSu2Jk3vLL5tiWZ7iXSWoFBwp_uaUb2W-r1wkMTEhyB6iAAvXtyROFcMVuPcrBYQVD1H3fz8LrECRfuoIsa6oNArIYeoOziNkQls2PKJN8z3Sa/s1600/Fatigue.jpeg" width="257" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will run and not get tired” –Isa. 40:31</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I wrote this blog almost 15 years ago. Life was crazy then (and life is crazy now). My dad used to always remind me that “The best support for the good ‘ole days is a bad memory- times were hard then and times are hard now.” “Live above the circumstances,” he would say.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Paul said that too, in Philippians 4:11-13.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Of course, “hard” doesn’t mean bad, it just means we have a lot of responsibilities. I’m still learning how to include “rest” in my pace, which makes all the difference. Yes, I’m still learning how to do that one: handle the wonderful responsibilities of family and ministry and keep myself in a position of rest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Enjoy what I was learning then and what I’m learning now… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“I had a crazy weekend. Maybe life is just crazy! Certainly, for anyone who has the privilege of being a parent, it’s even crazier!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The past week had been a great week but really busy and I was tired. I came home Friday night ready to chill, eat dinner and watch the Cardinals game. But when I walked in the garage, I encountered a mess! Jeanie had been to the store and the washing machine liquid soap she’d put in the back seat had fallen over and spilled on the carpet in the back of her Honda. I spent two hours trying to get it out of the carpet. It was hot and I was grouchy. With the help of a shop vac, I finally got all the soap out. And the Cardinals lost. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I slept okay, then got up to cut the grass Saturday morning. Halfway through the process, the mower died. I spent 3 hours working on the mower and never could get it to run. I had the carburetor and other parts on the driveway. Pretty impressive but it made no difference. The mower was toast. I borrowed a neighbors mower and finally finished the yard much later than expected. The Cardinals lost again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sunday, church was wonderful, but then I spent nearly the whole day helping with a project over at Doulos. I enjoyed the time, but never got to my weekend list of projects. The Cardinals lost once again! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” I was worn out coming into the weekend and what should have been minor issues became big issues. I became a coward and a whiner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I was reminded of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19. With God’s help, he defeated 850 prophets of Baal in a huge way. Victorious (and probably wiped out) he used his remaining energy to outrun King Ahab’s chariot 17 miles down the mountain. Elijah would have been a phenomenal cross-country runner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Then, an angry Jezebel threatened him and the fatigued Elijah “was afraid.” Remember, fatigue brings out our worst. Defeated, he ran to Beersheba (I bet he ran really slow), hid under a tree and was depressed. He had relied on God’s protection for three and a half years! But now he was relying on himself. God met him and restored him, but not before he’d spent wasted days in self-pity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">None of us run well when we're tired. Sure, sometimes I can’t control the pace- life is just hard. Sometimes, circumstances are just crazy. But more times than not, I have contributed greatly to the chaos. Too often, I’ve gone too hard and neglected necessary “gaps” in my schedule to rest. We all need times to exercise, read and spend time with Jesus. Then, when the craziness hits, we’re ready to run. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Can God supply supernatural strength for us all the time? Sure, He can, but He probably won’t. Just as Jesus Himself needed time “on the other side of the sea,” so it is with us. We’re limited to finite earthly bodies that need proper rest and nurturing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We owe it to our families and to our Lord to take care of ourselves. We can't control life, but we can take care of ourselves. (Then, if the Cardinals lose, somehow, it’s okay).”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Wow! I am learning today what I was learning then- to seek and grasp rest. We all live the best life with the peace that follows. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me as you’re teaching me, again, how to rest. May we all embrace rest as we follow the Lord’s direction for our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.life101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-78854838651092797522023-05-04T13:11:00.000-07:002023-05-04T13:11:17.961-07:00Reliance<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cDftqJ1O50csZIdkhfigNw90jkXhGaqWkhV3TKVeCXHHcyPk5K18m3-sq_3RrqKKcGg6-XKHVaYNxDqapBtteQmkGNIe1RlvL2y_pQQlkK6QYGr9flC8eaUYR6mjQEWY2LqEPcWkenTBxKXeMlyQBFhDUKoKtOwWV3SfqF7A5w-HBKfPYSQZnCpb/s474/dice.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="474" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cDftqJ1O50csZIdkhfigNw90jkXhGaqWkhV3TKVeCXHHcyPk5K18m3-sq_3RrqKKcGg6-XKHVaYNxDqapBtteQmkGNIe1RlvL2y_pQQlkK6QYGr9flC8eaUYR6mjQEWY2LqEPcWkenTBxKXeMlyQBFhDUKoKtOwWV3SfqF7A5w-HBKfPYSQZnCpb/s320/dice.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“Such is the confidence and steadfast reliance and absolute trust that we have through Christ toward God”- 2 Cor. 3:4</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The word reliance is defined by Webster’s dictionary as</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Dependence on or trust in someone or something.” </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Example:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">"the farmer's reliance on pesticides." </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’ s amazing the things we rely on. For thousands of years, mankind has looked to countless varieties of “devices” to get what they want in order to bring reliance. There are so many “devices”: horoscopes, superstitions, rolling dice, etc., etc. We look to so many empty things to bring us security. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Last years’ MLB playoffs ended a long time ago and a new season is rolling (Go Rangers). In the Cardinals series with the Phillies, they were playing great and were rolling along. They are my National League team but the Rangers are my American League team (I digress). Game #1 was going great. Then the announcer said this, <i>“The Cardinals are 93-0 in their playoff history when leading by 2+ runs heading to the 9th.”</i> I turned to Jeanie and said, “<i>Oh no, jinx time! He shouldn’t have said that?”</i> Sure enough, the Phillies came back and won the next two games, and the Cardinals were eliminated. Was it because of what the announcer said? Not at all, but we do rely on superstition and unfounded beliefs to help us make sense (supposedly) of difficult situations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">David, in the Old Testament, encountered a situation much more intense than a baseball game. First Samuel 30:6 captures the moment: <i>“Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” </i>David had made some costly decisions, but he turned to God and relied on God to be his strength. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Paul, in the New Testament, had traveled all over Europe and Asia, risking his life daily to share the gospel with people. First Corinthians 2:1-5: <i>“And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. </i></span><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God.” </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Paul was highly skilled and talented, but never let his skills and talents replace the power of God through the Holy Spirit using him. God was his reliance, not his skills and talents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Call time-out in your life right now and ask yourself, <i>“What am I relying on these days?”</i> It may not be something bad or evil but is it anything less than our awesome God? He is always faithful. Someone defined faith in a beautiful way, <i>"Faith is reason at rest with God”. </i>I’ve been learning so much about rest these days. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Faith is understanding that we don’t have to have control in situations because we’re relying on God. The “reason” that we long for is in the hands of our wonderful Savior. We’re at our best when we discard control and pride and a selfish demeanor that must understand and control it all. It’s best to rest (and it’s a beautiful rest!). Again, I’m learning how to do that!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Freedom begins when we surrender ourselves and our circumstances to the incarnate and amazing God of it all. We acknowledge that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is worthy of our surrender. We give our lives over to Him. Then, we strive to practically give our daily lives, with all its detail, over to Him, moment by moment, situation by situation. It may take a thousand times today for me to keep giving my “stuff” over to Him, but that’s what true reliance is all about. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May we all rely on the amazing God who is much more than we can imagine, and rest in His sovereignty, peace and grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="http://www.lifeaid101.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-46659140115264153222023-03-30T12:11:00.001-07:002023-03-30T12:11:41.965-07:00Rest, Part Four: Homework<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB4pVf9xutBakiLy9GWNmv6UMZbIVgT4B_7jqIu5Zi9XfGUTc1FQ8XE0YsR_A2WT0s2K2sxu5do0dexI-MA0YVS_VEekq7RCGELsQuGVrFOFKOH5KjP8yU_3Tw6mNDq2ln7raC6juvoQsqpXN-6qrqbpWG75Q5xZ8WYc14yn3UmeGs9pXTM1xgjuF/s474/Rest.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="474" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB4pVf9xutBakiLy9GWNmv6UMZbIVgT4B_7jqIu5Zi9XfGUTc1FQ8XE0YsR_A2WT0s2K2sxu5do0dexI-MA0YVS_VEekq7RCGELsQuGVrFOFKOH5KjP8yU_3Tw6mNDq2ln7raC6juvoQsqpXN-6qrqbpWG75Q5xZ8WYc14yn3UmeGs9pXTM1xgjuF/s320/Rest.jpeg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Rest, Part Four: Homework</span><o:p></o:p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. Watch Andy Griffith: <i>“What’s Your Hurry?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This classic has a great message: <i>“slow down and enjoy life”</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Can watch on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">multiple</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> ways on the internet</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">2. Read <i>"Jesus Calling"</i>: February 16: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">beautifully written!</span></i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">be still. </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Quietness and trust</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> enhance your awareness of My Presence into you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just from sin and self to cease;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just from Jesus simply taking<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Life and <b>rest</b>, and joy and peace”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">3. Listen to Hillary Scott’s Song <i>“Rest” </i>(Lyrics attached)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltWlIgl026A" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltWlIgl026A</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>(but skip the ads!)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 15pt 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5pt;">Hillary Scott <i>“You Can Rest”</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 500px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 3.75pt; width: 30pt;" width="40"></td><td style="padding: 0in;"></td><td style="padding: 0in 3.75pt 0in 0in; width: 30pt;" width="40"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><br /><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">When your weary heart is hurting or you're feeling so alone<br />When you think that you're a burden or nowhere feels like home<br />When everything feels like it's changing and you don't understand why<br />Trying so hard to be strong and brave but so tired you wanna cry<br />Don't forget as you fall asleep to lay it all at the Father's feet<br /><br />You can rest, you can rest<br />In the one who never breaks His promises<br />Close your eyes, talk to Him<br />When you're scared and feel the darkness rolling in<br />In your worry and your pain, just breathe in and out His name<br />Jesus, oh, Jesus<br />And you can rest<br /><br />When you're looking in the mirror and you're struggling to believe<br />Am I really who He says I am, or will God give up on me?<br />When anxiety is yelling and it's drowning out today<br />When it's hard to see tomorrow and you don't know how to pray<br /><br />You can rest, you can rest<br />In the one who never breaks His promises<br />Close your eyes, talk to Him<br />When you're scared and feel the darkness rolling in<br />In your worry and your pain, just breathe in and out His name<br />Jesus, oh, Jesus<br />And you can rest<br /><br />You can rest<br /><br />Don't forget as you fall asleep<br />You are safe at the Father's feet<br /><br />You can rest, you can rest<br />In the one who never breaks His promises<br />Just close your eyes and talk to Him<br />When you're scared and feel the darkness rolling in<br />In your worry and your pain, just breathe in and out His name<br />Jesus, Jesus<br />Oh, Jesus<br />And you can rest<br />You can rest<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">4. Pray for Rest<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lord, I am so thankful for You. You have always been faithful. Whether up or down, your will is best. In this current trial, I do pray for health. But more than that, I pray for You- that I will embrace You in this season of rest. Please calm my heart and quench my anxiety. I trust you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 4:10, <i>“for the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">I’m learning this too…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-90370936954758930722023-03-29T09:24:00.001-07:002023-03-29T09:24:51.826-07:00Rest, Part Three: Change<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3EQxqsRo8BghHF4YKK7XiXmM5Dg8psuHiF-DwPh_p0g7vfgdfTC78XGprAoegCeNkI45U_zfcMGMFoR59VjTarTjqe8TGRlUCBAe8cLjUSmKYy6Ndiy4YYCKS_Rml7UkRKfA331C8uBaTnHVq7yw71JQSSLZiNodrUU4LEgGjb-wlfU_Ve53Tux7/s160/Mex%20village.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="160" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3EQxqsRo8BghHF4YKK7XiXmM5Dg8psuHiF-DwPh_p0g7vfgdfTC78XGprAoegCeNkI45U_zfcMGMFoR59VjTarTjqe8TGRlUCBAe8cLjUSmKYy6Ndiy4YYCKS_Rml7UkRKfA331C8uBaTnHVq7yw71JQSSLZiNodrUU4LEgGjb-wlfU_Ve53Tux7/w400-h265/Mex%20village.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Rest, Part Three: Change<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.” The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had e<span class="textexposedshow">nough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 4.5pt;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Millions – then what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>Q- How do you define a "full and busy" life?</u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u><br /></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Borrowed by Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.parentingyourteen101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u><br /></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-27597948496341579572023-03-27T13:25:00.001-07:002023-03-27T13:25:35.236-07:00Rest, Part 2: Flexibility. The Answers<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">26 L. of the A. 26 letters of the alphabet</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">7 W. of the A.W. 7 wonders of the ancient world</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">1001 A. N. <span> </span>1001 angel number</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">12 S. of the Z. <span> </span>12 signs of the zodiac </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">54 C. in a D. (with the J.) 54 cards in a deck with the jokers </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">9 P. in the S.S. 9 planets in the solar system </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">88 P.K. <span> </span>88 piano keys </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">13 S. on the A.F. 13 stripes on the American flag</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">32 D. at which W.F. 32 degrees at which water freezes </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">18 H. on a G.C. 18 holes on a golf course </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">90 D. of a R.A. 90 degrees of a right angle </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">200 D. for P.G. in M. 200 dollars for passing go in monopoly</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">8 S on a S.S. <span> </span> 8 sides on a stop sign </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">3 B.M. (S.H.T.R.) 3 blind mice, see how they run </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">4 Q. in a G. 4 quarters in a game </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">24 H. in a D. 24 hours in a day </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">1 W. on a U. 1 wheel on a unicycle </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">5 D. in a Z.C. 5 digits in a zip code </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">57 H.V. <span> </span>57 Heinz varieties </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">11 P. on a F.T. 11 players on a football team</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">1000W that a P. is W. 1000 words that a picture </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">13 S. on the C.F. 13 stars on the Confederate flag </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-36365812780668443082023-03-21T12:38:00.000-07:002023-03-21T12:38:14.663-07:00Rest, Part Two: Flexibility<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Any healthy change in life requires a necessary amount of flexibility and creativity. Change is hard! A healthy change requires me to “step back” from the situation and see it differently. Instead of just reacting to the change, it’s best for me to refocus and regroup and see the best. Yep, God has a wonderful plan but am I willing to wait for it</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is not a test to measure your intelligence, your fluency with words, and certainly not your mathematical ability. It will, however, give you some gauge of your flexibility and creativity. I’ll post the right answers in a few weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Instructions: Each equation below contains the initials of the words that will make it correct. Find the missing words. For example: 9 I. in a B.G. would be 9 innings in a baseball game<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">a. 26 L. of the A. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">b. 7 W. of the A.W. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">c. 1001 A. N. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">d. 12 S. of the Z. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">e. 54 C. in a D. (with the J.) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">f. 9 P. in the S.S. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">g. 88 P.K. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">h. 13 S. on the A.F. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">i. 32 D. at which W.F. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">j. 18 H. on a G.C. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">k. 90 D. of a R.A. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">l. 200 D. for P.G. in M. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">m. 8 S. on a S.S. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">n. 3 B.M. (S.H.T.R.) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">o. 4 Q. in a G. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">p. 24 H. in a D. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">q. 1 W. on a U. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">r. 5 D. in a Z.C. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">s. 57 H.V. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">t. 11 P. on a F.T. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">u. 1000 W. that a P. is W. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Extra credit: 13 S. on the C.F. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-12800198663475621842023-02-11T18:10:00.003-08:002023-03-20T07:40:36.600-07:00Rest, Part One: Burden Bearing<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></sup></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwdUasRAHzzCsm1DYFs_LX5EVdkLzxVpeTsS6bTj-GQ42C0i8s-kbGSPbED6f9FkQvQB6nx21bbiDf38Qhwh-RveP_tiasLFg6a9ES0B-9sk9Fh7zKueiCDWyuH3FI5s30vLyJHYpe-qPAX0wDEe0AVKxBd9gG7HtBiKWLTf65Fw4B-9yOE_Ju4bn/s474/Bear%20burdens.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: super;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="474" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwdUasRAHzzCsm1DYFs_LX5EVdkLzxVpeTsS6bTj-GQ42C0i8s-kbGSPbED6f9FkQvQB6nx21bbiDf38Qhwh-RveP_tiasLFg6a9ES0B-9sk9Fh7zKueiCDWyuH3FI5s30vLyJHYpe-qPAX0wDEe0AVKxBd9gG7HtBiKWLTf65Fw4B-9yOE_Ju4bn/s320/Bear%20burdens.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“</i><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. </span></i><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself and is a liar” -</span></i><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gal. 6:2-3</span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our God is SO good!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am in quite a season right now. While battling a bronchial infection plus a sinus infection plus a lot of anxiety, God has brought me into a need for a season of rest. And I’m struggling with embracing the season. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">God is SO good. Even in our stress and anxiety, He is here. After all, we’re all broken people. When Jesus was in the garden, “Distressed to the point of death” (Mark 14:34), His Father God was with Him. Wait a minute, Jesus was distressed? What? Yes. He was perfect but He was a man. When we feel anxious and distressed, God is there. But where do I need to go? Nowhere. Rest. I rest in Him. Him alone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Throughout the day, I take my deep breaths and sighs knowing that He is with me, even in the crisis. Instead of just praying for the crisis to go away, I pray for Him to be there with me in the crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I take my deep breaths and sighs knowing that God is indeed faithful. Although meds help, there are no magic fixes for anxiety and that is okay. Life is hard and our “earth suits” (as speaker Bill Gillam calls our bodies) wear out beginning the day we are born. Our job is to manage these suits by giving them over to Christ, so they work as well as possible. That involves rest and peace and space. I am the one who is responsible for directing my life on that path of peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I set my schedule…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I say “no”…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I say “yes”…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I “let go” of my pride that wants to do everything…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I seek peace…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I embrace the season…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I rest … <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I surrender to Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The choices are mine. But one thing is for sure- I will always pay a price for choosing peace, and it’s worth counting the cost. It means I give up the “fuel” of busyness that strokes my pride. It means I switch from gasoline to wood. Wood seems boring and gasoline flashy, but both keep the fire going. Besides, gas burns quickly and is expensive while wood is steady and lasting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">God is SO good and a part of His goodness is providing rest and peace for us- if we’ll slow down and accept His gift. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, God could send gifts and healing and love directly from on high. An angelic delivery truck could pull up to our front door and drop of everything we need. But, He often chooses to work through our brothers and sisters to provide for us. One thing is for sure: we need each other. We weren’t built to solo. Gen. 2:18 reminds us. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">God said, “It is not good for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” God wasn’t only </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">referring to marriage, though it is amazing. Jeanie has been such a best friend and helper for these forty years and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">has been such an amazing servant to me through this season.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">He was also referring to brothers and sisters in Christ. In the past few weeks, Jeanie and I have had friend after friend provide meals and encouragement and love. But those friends don’t show up if my pride never lets them share their gift. As Galatians 6 warns us, when I think I’m “something,” I don’t need anyone, but I provide for everyone. I’m a liar to myself. The lie? That I don’t need anyone else to be okay. Humility receives <u>and</u> gives. Sometimes it just receives. It’s how the body of Christ was meant to work. Marcus Lamb said, “Be with those who bring out the best in you, not the stress in you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let go of the pride that doesn’t want to be served and let love rule. That’s certainly what I’m learning these days. </span><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It is a major challenge for me to “let go and let God.” I’m getting older but still learning to give it all over to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">May we make decisions towards peace, rest, quietness and life. May our schedules and loads be shared with the people who surround us. May we let go and let God. May we let Him bear the load for us through our brothers’ and sisters’ love to us. May our “fuel” be the simplicity of the strength of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our loving God is SO good!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-27378128663507605602022-12-15T13:36:00.001-08:002022-12-15T13:36:50.597-08:00Holidays With Family: 2022 Version. An Absolutely Beautiful Mess!<p> </p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; color: #345a8a; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; margin: 24pt 0in 0in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihizs-d5MmojB7DKhjJ2jKYj60Eet1SqIcFAtVGaUhsWQAN9HSksaPtXN0kdb_BsrKudHAGLGLk7gFEx_GDvi8xxEAFmJ3d3Y87GaYlwUAOE97Rx7qJGgP-tCA5bAZEqGaFS5XjzlQ7MXhcZx8iP9N0T6qDZtqlxA2nlehUcPRR5p-2KD2AdzYJZ4O/s2976/2022%20Staples%20Family%2001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="2976" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihizs-d5MmojB7DKhjJ2jKYj60Eet1SqIcFAtVGaUhsWQAN9HSksaPtXN0kdb_BsrKudHAGLGLk7gFEx_GDvi8xxEAFmJ3d3Y87GaYlwUAOE97Rx7qJGgP-tCA5bAZEqGaFS5XjzlQ7MXhcZx8iP9N0T6qDZtqlxA2nlehUcPRR5p-2KD2AdzYJZ4O/s320/2022%20Staples%20Family%2001.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Love…does not take into account a wrong suffered” -1 Cor. 13:5<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here we go into Christmas ’22! What an odd time of year! Thanksgiving is awesome, Christmas is the “most wonderful time of the year” and it’s a “jolly” four weeks between the two holidays. Yet, stats expose this month as the most depressive and difficult time of time of the year for most people. But that is certainly not what God desires. His plan is toward peace, contentment and completeness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I think the beautifproblem lies in family. Yes, a myriad of ingredients produce this difficult season: the weather can be cold, the pressure to buy gifts is high, the stress of party after party can bog us down, and we’re reminded of the loved ones we miss. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But Thanksgiving and Christmas are holidays for family. And most families, if not all families, have a grocery list of issues that have not been resolved. One important trend I have discovered in my years of working with families: most families have some form of dysfunction. They have always been like that. Why? Because families are made up of people and all people are wounded, to some degree. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Wounds are medicated and healed when they are brought to the light. Family works when family members submit themselves to love one another. Family works when anger accounts are kept empty by reconciliation and forgiveness. But most family accounts are full.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I love well-written stories about healing in families. “A River Runs Through It” by Norman Maclean is one of my favorites. This quote from the book describes this family dynamic:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The key is “loving without understanding.” We can all do that one. During these holidays, as we’re around family, may we all reach out to love and give and bless. May we do the hard work of reconciliation and forgiveness to keep our accounts empty and our love flourishing. After all, the more our accounts are emptied, the more capacity we have to love. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So, have a holly-jolly Christmas season this year and enjoy your family. Love those who are unlovable. That’s what God did for us when He sent His Son to be born and die for our sin. If we have maintenance work of forgiveness to do, then clean the slates during the holidays. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Family is difficult and messy. But it’s a beautiful mess. So this holiday season, dive in! Get wet! Love, forgive, touch, interact, and love again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Entertain your beautiful mess and enjoy the season. Realize we can love only because God loved us first…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">…as a beautiful mess.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-54235279670059569992022-09-28T11:39:00.003-07:002022-09-28T11:39:59.973-07:00Capturing Things<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pb0jFBrdh_ANsDgGVjKJKVEUp2AmNeMgpGKxjAjF8qyS3FS7oZBNVtGmlc2fFpmxb4AKdnCSQNQetZCBPJkbE683a1XA_3fvdlJuEFk_jvX-pMrA3kv6QSrKE6K38jwJORC1iCYnlzZB-mRLSfTV3Nj2uV4-5BhlTVs-iC71WOjm0g4e6UBAizxD/s474/handcuffs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="474" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pb0jFBrdh_ANsDgGVjKJKVEUp2AmNeMgpGKxjAjF8qyS3FS7oZBNVtGmlc2fFpmxb4AKdnCSQNQetZCBPJkbE683a1XA_3fvdlJuEFk_jvX-pMrA3kv6QSrKE6K38jwJORC1iCYnlzZB-mRLSfTV3Nj2uV4-5BhlTVs-iC71WOjm0g4e6UBAizxD/s320/handcuffs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><o:p></o:p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“…take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” -2 Cor. 10:5<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I remember in fifth grade trying to capture rabbits in the woods near our home in Fort Worth. I asked for a cage trap for my birthday. I filled it with food to attract the rabbits and gave it a few days in the woods behind our house. I even chained it to a tree so it wouldn’t be stolen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Two days later, when I went to check it, the trap was gone. Someone had cut the chain and taken it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s hard to capture things. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thoughts can be even more difficult to capture. As Paul was trying to help the Corinthian church grow in their faith, he challenged them to “capture their thoughts.” There is no sin in the initial thought, but at that intersection of thought and reaction, I make a choice: will I bring the thought before the Lord, that He might lead me in integrity in how to react, or will I just let my flesh react? At that point, if I give it over to Him, He provides direction- if I’ll let Him!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s hard to capture and give it over. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">What an important intersection! For most people, the gap between the thought being triggered and me choosing how I’ll react is a billionth of a second. Our flesh is severely reactionary. The brain chemicals take over and we react so quickly. But, there is a gap. And how I navigate that “gap” makes all the difference! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s hard to see the gap. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The challenge is that when we have a reactive thought (that we recognize in our soul) we choose to throw the hand cuffs on it and “capture” it. And then we bring it before the Lord using the beautiful vehicle called prayer. Then we submit our thought to His obedience and will. But it takes discipline to capture it. Yes, it’s 100% on us but somehow our flesh wants to put it on the other person. “Sometimes you make me so mad,” we might say to a friend. But truth is, no one can make us angry. They can sure press our buttons, but we make the choice as to how we’ll react. We are 100% responsible for our reactions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It's hard to capture our thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, may we be super intentional about out thought life. This side of heaven, managing the collision between our flesh and spirit is part of navigating this life. Paul spent so much of his time writing about all of this to the churches of the New Testament. He knew that if people would bring their baggage to Christ, then the church, made up of those people, would flourish. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">May we be a people who recognize our curious thoughts and intentionally take our captured thoughts to our loving Lord. May our dependance be on Christ alone, as I rest in Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Because it’s easy to rest when I’m captured by Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid101.com<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></i></div><p></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-60324035545895573442022-08-24T08:11:00.000-07:002022-08-24T08:11:58.240-07:00Steve McQueen's Greatest Escape<p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VKmvRJESG4efKhag6Y5oLlH45MUwa2HvHP1aFAmtGDlnkv41daYR38CjJMmSIZS0fLzHLtaRWKW-kE9l6Fgw8W6RoVjhEVs8cu1yR_59rtr4nzXg7Xy1AzqFG-8n5yXDyVRdOkaUOeMiC0b0gZLsPLOCpcQ8XpGw3BEIrdWaNgTvj4IldJ2nIw7U/s592/Steve%20McQueen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VKmvRJESG4efKhag6Y5oLlH45MUwa2HvHP1aFAmtGDlnkv41daYR38CjJMmSIZS0fLzHLtaRWKW-kE9l6Fgw8W6RoVjhEVs8cu1yR_59rtr4nzXg7Xy1AzqFG-8n5yXDyVRdOkaUOeMiC0b0gZLsPLOCpcQ8XpGw3BEIrdWaNgTvj4IldJ2nIw7U/s320/Steve%20McQueen.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br /></b></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">-</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Rom. 10:19-10<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Growing up, I loved watching movie’s that included Steve McQueen. He was just “cool”, to say the least. My favorite was probably “the Great Escape” about some Allied POW’s that escaped from a German prison camp. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John Gann wrote an awesome article about Steve, “Something You May Not Have Known About Steve McQueen”. It brough tears to my eyes at the end. I think you’ll enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Steve McQueen was a Hollywood bad boy and headstrong thrill-seeker, drawn to drugs, women, fast cars and motorcycles. At the height of his stardom in the 1960s and ’70s, Steve McQueen was at the top of his game, yet the “King of Cool” was still searching for something more. That’s the subject of a new documentary, Steve McQueen: American Icon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">With an alcoholic mother and a string of abusive stepfathers, McQueen had always wanted a real dad in his life—someone to look up to. He found a father figure in his flight instructor, Sammy Mason, who answered his countless questions about faith and told him about the perfect Father, God Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Little by little, this lead role in The Great Escape stopped running in the opposite direction of God. Three months after McQueen and his wife started attending Mason’s church in California, McQueen invited the pastor to lunch and asked another round of questions. Could he really be forgiven? What does it look like to follow Jesus Christ? With a slew of fictional movies under his belt, this actor wanted to know the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It was during that lunch that the pastor, Leonard DeWitt, asked McQueen about his own beliefs, and McQueen shared that he had devoted his life to Christ a few weeks back. He had a new purpose and an ever-softening demeanor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Six months later, in late 1979, McQueen was diagnosed with cancer. Although he wanted to live, friends and family could see he was also at peace. If and when he died, he said, he knew where he was going.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">On Nov. 3, 1980, four days before his death, one of McQueen’s wishes came true. He’d wanted to meet evangelist Billy Graham for some time, and on that day, Mr. Graham paid him a visit. The pair prayed together and talked about the afterlife, and McQueen told him how his faith in Christ helped him deal with the cancer. At the end of their meeting, Billy Graham left McQueen his personal Bible, the name “Billy Graham” printed on the front and all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Inside, he wrote the date, along with a message: “To my friend Steve McQueen, may God bless and keep you always.” He signed his name, along with a reference to a Bible verse, Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Billy Graham’s Bible became McQueen’s most valued possession. He died on Nov. 7—Billy Graham’s 62nd birthday—and was found clutching that Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Before his death, McQueen said he wanted to tell more people about God. While he grew weaker physically, he grew stronger spiritually, and wanted others to know where that strength came from.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God began something wonderful in McQueen’s life—a total transformation—and has continued impacting others through his story. Nov. 7 is much more than his death date; it’s the day the King of Cool met the King of kings.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Whatever you’re chasing after in life, nothing compares to God Himself. If He can change Steve McQueen’s life, he can change yours, too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It really is that simple. Confessing my need for Jesus and inviting Him into my heart is so simple because the cross cost God so much- the Son He loves. As Steve McQueen did, talk to your Pastor or good friend about God’s saving grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May we all live in His peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-83961990569079958552022-07-28T06:57:00.000-07:002022-07-28T06:57:43.213-07:00God's Purpose or Mine?<p><i style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Every now and then, I try to get out of the way and let God speak to us through one of my heroes. This morning, I was reading the devotional “My Utmost For His Highest” and again, Oswald Chambers’ devo hit the “nail on the head.” It’s what I needed to hear and I hope it’s an encouragement to you as well…</span></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2aeSJCSVS5FxZZvGcEHXQ9-Pxm2sVKkupBcq2qcqjAo8HtQTIOXHBCksMFni0wrTNjc39dFyGJbMoQodGhvaABY6kw6ixpiCHmMufYYL68Df8ohr17Pn7mxcr08T1UupAqfBShHiBG9jg3WYVXu3dBjvYFEdGAHUWQJJR4WqmjXChcT0VmtEZGer/s770/Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="770" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2aeSJCSVS5FxZZvGcEHXQ9-Pxm2sVKkupBcq2qcqjAo8HtQTIOXHBCksMFni0wrTNjc39dFyGJbMoQodGhvaABY6kw6ixpiCHmMufYYL68Df8ohr17Pn7mxcr08T1UupAqfBShHiBG9jg3WYVXu3dBjvYFEdGAHUWQJJR4WqmjXChcT0VmtEZGer/s320/Boat.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p><div id="AppleMailSignature" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"><div dir="auto" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side… -Mark 6:45</span></i></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power <i>now</i>. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May each of our moments be precious today as we lean on Him and Him alone. Thank you, Jesus, for being our Rock and our Fortress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Written by Oswald Chambers</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Eric Joseph Staples ©</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-91800358012486638022022-07-07T08:50:00.000-07:002022-07-07T08:50:13.377-07:00His Octane<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WGQWS-jH1-Yrrd524yz5owuZawTmPAdOfhhbU_vSWLG13qHbLz3cuPzHH3w0U83aND5sqalQzCjCCR5WSrK0hE8MEi5RVck4E64FTmis_PL5ZIgR7ciqAiSC2ySlBIJtIvAA2cfxlWlkIHzX-p-Vpndr9rE42w_ToDND6hNdOzvj9u0Igg9x5e8r/s277/Octane.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="277" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WGQWS-jH1-Yrrd524yz5owuZawTmPAdOfhhbU_vSWLG13qHbLz3cuPzHH3w0U83aND5sqalQzCjCCR5WSrK0hE8MEi5RVck4E64FTmis_PL5ZIgR7ciqAiSC2ySlBIJtIvAA2cfxlWlkIHzX-p-Vpndr9rE42w_ToDND6hNdOzvj9u0Igg9x5e8r/s1600/Octane.jpeg" width="277" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />“Do not quench the Holy Spirit” -1 Thess. 5:19</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In our amazing relationship with the Lord, some days are awesome and other days seem difficult. If we’re in a relationship with Jesus, we have true life. But if we’re walking well with Jesus, we have abundant life (John 10:10). There is a difference.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It directly affects everything about us: our job, our parenting, and our lives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we fill up our cars with gasoline, we typically pull up to the pump, get out, slide our credit card, then choose the lowest number possible (for the lowest price) and fill her up! Have you ever wondered what that number is? It’s the Octane number for the particular gas you’re choosing. Any ‘ole gas will do, but the higher the number, the higher the octane level in the gasoline.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is Octane? Octane is a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocarbon"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-decoration: none;">hydrocarbon</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> and an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-decoration: none;">alkane</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> with the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_formula"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-decoration: none;">chemical formula</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> CH</span><sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 8pt;">3</span></sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">(CH</span><sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 8pt;">2</span></sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)</span><sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 8pt;">6</span></sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">CH</span><sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 8pt;">3</span></sub><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. Translated: the higher the number, the better the gasoline.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I pulled into a huge truck stop in Springfield recently and did a double take at the gasoline pump. It had the usual octane choices of 87 and 89, but it also had a choice for 110! And it cost $6.49 a gallon. It said next to the pump “for racing only.” I found out the station isn't far from a racetrack. This special gas is reserved for racing cars.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But I thought, “What if I put the racing gas in my SUV? Would it drive at amazing speeds?” Of course, it wouldn’t. I have the wrong kind of engine. Having the right gas is only part of the package. It takes a racing engine too, built to take high-octane gas and convert it to speed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As Christians with a new life in Christ, we have all the necessary equipment to drive really well. We are equipped with the Holy Spirit inside of us who supplies us with the highest octane possible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Instead, it seems, we choose to drive like our tank is full of cheap gas. Even though we‘re empowered by the Holy Spirit with an octane number of ten zillion, we’re limited by our capacity to yield ourselves to His power through us. Through Christ, we have all the potential to be a powerful NASCAR vehicle, but we’re left to decide…do I yield to myself and the Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine that came standard when I was born, or do I submit to Jesus and use the jet engine that is available to me as a child of God?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here’s the deal: having Jesus as my powerful engine doesn't mean I speed. The irony is, it means I slow down and rest. It means that in Christ, I submit to His strength. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It means I enjoy the most coveted and powerful thing of all: contentment and peace. The price has been paid. The tank is full. I can work with joy, I can raise my kids and parent with joy, and I can live my life with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now, sit back and enjoy the drive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-24916165858130172132022-06-19T14:41:00.002-07:002022-06-19T14:41:22.128-07:00My Dad<p><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-O0GLTMURdgg6VgB2nTQC2oG1vG5gZ0G8a92D1uBt74qpT5oz-IWi0SUbUkbu4__CvTXxQpYYsUsLlivfPSWoUbz95k8DH5aSt-xGlx6mQQ3xg8vyEIrAITiLMDVV8qaNhr9LAcngvgDExbePr85ZPScFOQzHVW3PkYyIuAGNOASDCA3IggkJu1o3/s1664/Dad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="1452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-O0GLTMURdgg6VgB2nTQC2oG1vG5gZ0G8a92D1uBt74qpT5oz-IWi0SUbUkbu4__CvTXxQpYYsUsLlivfPSWoUbz95k8DH5aSt-xGlx6mQQ3xg8vyEIrAITiLMDVV8qaNhr9LAcngvgDExbePr85ZPScFOQzHVW3PkYyIuAGNOASDCA3IggkJu1o3/s320/Dad.jpeg" width="279" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br />"Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation” –Joel 1:3</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I sure do miss my Dad today. He would have been One Hundred and Four years old on this Fathers Day. He died in 1988 but he never passed away. He will never pass away. He will always live in my heart, the hearts of my brothers, in the hearts of my kids and in the hearts of their kids. He legacy will go on and on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A legacy of faith. As was true of most of the early Staples’ family, he loved God and was dedicated to the Methodist church. The Methodist church in Roopville, Georgia still stands today. I have copies of his Sunday school notes that he used as he taught class for many, many years. He was far from perfect, but his faith grew more and more as he grew older. His faith mattered and he passed it on.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A legacy of integrity. Honesty mattered to my dad. He put coins in the parking meters and he paid all of his taxes. “I have no problem paying taxes,” he would say, “It’s just what every man should do.” Having a good name made a difference to him and he elevated honesty and truth as he dealt with people. He was the same man in private as he was in public. As his son, I saw him lose patience and get angry frequently, but he knew how to say “I’m sorry” and I watched him settle differences quite often. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A legacy of simplicity. My dad was absolutely at his best with those who had the least. He could mingle with the “high-falutin” physicians, but enjoyed the blue-collared folks the most. My dad kept things uncomplicated. His favorite ice cream was Blue Bell Vanilla. Boring maybe, but it was all he needed. He never forgot his simple Georgia roots. Though, as a physician, he had the choice to be proud, he preferred not to elevate himself above others. He was humble. As a goofy teenager, I was often embarrassed by his faded jeans and suspenders. I sometimes wanted a “cool” dad. But I came to realize that my dad was more than cool: he was awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A legacy of hard work. My dad didn’t mind breaking a sweat while doing a long project. After he retired, I remember trying to keep up with him as he tended to his garden in the back yard. He could work me into the ground. I remember appealing to my dad one Sunday afternoon. I was a freshman in high school and after watching football on TV, I had run out of time to mow the yard. It was 5:00pm and I needed to be at a Young Life event at 5:30. “Dad, I won’t have time to cut the grass. I’ll do it later in the week,” I said. “Well, you should have done it earlier today. I guess you’ll have to miss youth group,” he said. “I can mow it later this week,” I appealed. “Nope, it needs to be today,” he replied. I wasn’t happy about it. After all, I was going to youth group- the Christian thing to do. But he wouldn’t budge. I mowed the yard and learned that keeping a promise trumped any Bible study. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">My dad was an awesome man. I only hope to imitate a little of his character and life. He loved my mother, Mildred, so, so much. And he loved and nurtured his four sons with everything he possessed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am honored to have had Pelham Porter Staples Jr. as my father and I will always be thankful that I had thirty-one years with him. I too am thankful for his legacy branded into the Staples family. Thank you Lord for a my dad and for his powerful, simple life…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">…and for his beautiful, faded jeans and suspenders. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Happy Father’s Day!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-55633877771174085832022-05-31T14:44:00.006-07:002022-05-31T14:44:52.124-07:00So Worth Remembering<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgDW_AmaAxO_O_ObDvAz5j8OKujWgbAoQ1LF9ElyewIEGD8n308YkTZE88vIu-rTIukBdSBhY2cQ9ip_7GJ4vGAb6VD3YAekfV7XE6i5ghSN-9Srs8u0DvIxTHPaQ6JIfePPrtIEFVVcAwl-zXbxhwI2-YfPPB1pFEUTiDI1fpAVHpGRS5XXr0sVc/s284/Memorial%20day.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="284" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgDW_AmaAxO_O_ObDvAz5j8OKujWgbAoQ1LF9ElyewIEGD8n308YkTZE88vIu-rTIukBdSBhY2cQ9ip_7GJ4vGAb6VD3YAekfV7XE6i5ghSN-9Srs8u0DvIxTHPaQ6JIfePPrtIEFVVcAwl-zXbxhwI2-YfPPB1pFEUTiDI1fpAVHpGRS5XXr0sVc/s1600/Memorial%20day.jpeg" width="284" /></a></div><br />“When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick." -Matt. 14:14<p></p><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section" style="background-color: white;"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">Memorial Day honors those wonderful men and women and their families, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States of America. They gave and served and died for the country they loved!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">Did they lay down their lives for a perfect country? Not at all. Our imperfect country has struggled with issues it’s entire existence. Injustice, weighty tariffs to the homeland, segregation by race, money, income, and religion, slavery, finances, and probably fifty other issues have always challenged this “experiment” called America. Abraham Lincoln called war a “test” for this nation to “see if this nation or any nation [dedicated to freedom] could long endure.” And we have “endured” for several hundred years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">The unity of this country has always been challenged. No doubt, a “benevolent dictatorship” is the easiest way to run a country. Let one nice guy run the show! But a true democracy attempts to carry out the dreams and desires of the collective, diverse population. In the case of the United States, we’re attempting to satisfy about 326 million people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">A true democracy makes mistakes, big mistakes. After all, it’s made up of imperfect people. A country (and family and marriage) work best when those mistakes are dated, acknowledged, forgiven, and heeded. None of these men and women, who laid down their lives for our nation, died only for their issues. We all have issues and beliefs that we hold dearly. We all have areas in which we disagree in our wonderful country. We do have wonderful diversity in the United States.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">In the very fabric of America is diversity and differences in nearly every area of finances, religion, community, relationships and least of all, sports. But I can cheer for the Cardinals while you cheer for the Cubs. As someone said, “We can be brothers without being twins.” We don’t have to see it the same but we do need to respect each other’s views.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">So, this Memorial Day season, may we all be people who love and accept those around us. Might we be “curious instead of judgmental.” The truth is,</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="section" style="background-color: white;"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">judging really takes us nowhere, as a country or in relationships. But curiosity has the ability to allow us to love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">Imagine the capacity of Jesus to feel compassion. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">“When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick”, Matt. 14:14. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">He knew what was in the heart of man, yet still bestowed love and compassion towards all. He saw the worst parts of man and knew He would eventually die by the hand of mankind, but he still loved.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">This Memorial Day, might we honor those who died, not by the sacrifice of our lives, but by the sacrifice of our flesh. Might that judgmental, non- loving part of us be set aside and let us choose to love those who surround us. Glance at First Corinthians 13 if you need a reminder of what that love looks like. The best picture of love is Jesus dying on a cross for us, that we might have peace and connection with Him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">Thank you, men and women, who gave their very lives for our country...and for us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples © </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid101.com</span></p><p><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p></div></div></div></div>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-64672649646076057852022-05-14T11:47:00.000-07:002022-05-14T11:47:08.050-07:00Codfish and Trials<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBtkOY_xs7bVdovO_5CqDo0ZBD9CDVaksqMq7SCr8vLEWQfUG96eLVIhJaSXdLo6kQruCJVIcT__Pi6s0Y3CcUfGjitozZQFcragfXpGAnhlai5pG_8wBva0Y7oXG3O0UlX502GnkQBz-grHopUwwHjH8r4KsnODIeObVaa-PoBc163v-W3QOLv88/s305/Codfish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="305" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBtkOY_xs7bVdovO_5CqDo0ZBD9CDVaksqMq7SCr8vLEWQfUG96eLVIhJaSXdLo6kQruCJVIcT__Pi6s0Y3CcUfGjitozZQFcragfXpGAnhlai5pG_8wBva0Y7oXG3O0UlX502GnkQBz-grHopUwwHjH8r4KsnODIeObVaa-PoBc163v-W3QOLv88/s1600/Codfish.jpeg" width="305" /></a></i></div><i><br />“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, </i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” -James 1:1-4<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Difficulties and trials aren’t our favorite parts of life, but much like athletics, we understand the necessity of “workouts,” even though our preference would be a cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper by the pool. Did any of us enjoy running wind-sprints after practice or two-hour workouts on a hot Texas afternoon? We don’t like difficulty and trial, but we understand the necessity of it all. Our coaches pushed us so we would be in shape for the game, just as God pushes so we’ll be at our best for life. Resting in letting God have His way and will makes all the difference!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chuck Swindoll tells a great story about codfish. In the NE United States codfish are a big commercial business. There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the northeast coastline. But the public demand posted a problem to the shippers. At first, they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. So, they experimented with shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, but the cod also still lost its flavor and, in addition, became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Finally, some creative person solved the problem in a most innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank of water along with their natural enemy- the catfish. From the time the cod left the east Coast until it arrived at its westernmost destination, those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank. And, you guessed it, when the cod arrived at the market, they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the texture affected. If anything, it was better than before. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Each one of us is in a tank of particular and inescapable circumstance. It is painful enough to stay in the tank. But in addition to our situation, there are God-appointed “catfish” to bring sufficient tension that keeps us alive, alert, fresh, and growing. It’s all part of God’s project to shape our character so we will be more like His Son. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Understand why the catfish are in your tank. Understand they are part of God’s method of producing character in your life and mine. Understanding doesn’t mean we “like” it, but we don’t have to like it to submit ourselves to it. Hum. That’s where faith trusts and submits to a sovereign God- even when nothing makes sense! That’s the reason we have the narrative called the Bible to remind us that we can have peace and contentment in the midst of difficulty. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be willing to trust God and let Him do His thing in our lives. His plans are good- kind of crazy sometimes, but good. Understanding God’s good purpose doesn’t make the trial any easier. We would all prefer to “have our cake and eat it too.” In other words, we want all the rewards of trial without the difficulty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">But let’s rise up, put on our pads and run on down to the field where practice is beginning. God will give us all the strength we need to play the game. May we call upon Him to give us the strength to battle the catfish in our tank. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">May we let the struggle with that employee or the difficulty with our spouse or the tension with our teenager be a chance for us to display character and integrity. May we let God’s plans have their way in our lives. And may we trust that He really does know what He’s doing…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">…catfish and all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">www.lifeaid101.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note: I try to post to the blog every few weeks. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span> </p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-70971788486942342492022-04-27T09:43:00.001-07:002022-04-27T09:43:34.931-07:00God's Delays<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ogNMiAZZX2WbyJezThZVZZ1WqlLC4nghrslRQz7H4WQ3A_X5eJ6ok64A7VN-mjfDGvK4P2xrlWdoYeMXjGVvMPj2vRvESqh6LAfC8kRO2nwr5PNW7Lh4sLaHhyjQ2lebErlCbvcQItpYE8h7rl4PTN1G_YqPySJgMRwg1UeEov9RCBJgIGGhLPAs/s300/Delay.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="300" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ogNMiAZZX2WbyJezThZVZZ1WqlLC4nghrslRQz7H4WQ3A_X5eJ6ok64A7VN-mjfDGvK4P2xrlWdoYeMXjGVvMPj2vRvESqh6LAfC8kRO2nwr5PNW7Lh4sLaHhyjQ2lebErlCbvcQItpYE8h7rl4PTN1G_YqPySJgMRwg1UeEov9RCBJgIGGhLPAs/s1600/Delay.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />“Yet those who wait for the LORD, will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary” -Isaiah 40:31</span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Waiting has always been a challenge for this youngest child, Joey Staples. The pace of society today hasn’t helped me at all. I expect instant answers and instant solutions. I text someone and expect an answer within 5 minutes. Back in the day, if someone missed the stagecoach, they had to wait a month until it came through again. Today, if the plane is five minutes late, most people go berserk. But the truth is, God is in control. His timing is paramount to our well-being IF we choose to trust Him. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The attached poem by Robert Schuller has always proven true to me:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">God’s Delay is Not God’s Denial</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God always hears and answers prayer,</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Though long may be the trial.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Let patience bloom while God prepares;</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Delay is not denial.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When God would glorify His Name,</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And make His blessing great;</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The one whose heart God's will doth frame</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Must sometimes pray and wait.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But come, the answer surely must,</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For God has never lied.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And faith, which looks at God in trust,</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God never has denied.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So when the weeks turn months, then years,</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And doubt feign would defile,</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beseech the more and that with tears;</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Delay is not denial.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God always hears our prayers, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But He does not always say, "Yes!" </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sometimes He says, "Wait" </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sometimes He says, "No" </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For He has something better for us.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God's delays are not denials, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He has heard your prayer; </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He knows all about your trials, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Knows your every care.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God's delays are not denials, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Help is on the way, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He is watching o'er life's dials, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bringing forth that day. </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God's delays are not denials, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You will find Him true, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Working through the darkest trials, </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is best for you.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God has a good plan for our lives also. </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May we welcome God’s change of plans as good. Look back on the times when God blocked a plan and “caused all things to work together for good.” I’m so glad that Paula and I broke up (by note) in 6</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 8pt;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> grade! I’m glad because God had another person waiting, Jeanie, as a part of His plan. And we’ve been married 41 years! </span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May we all rest and be secure in HIS plan. May we all wait well. Resting in His care and walking at HIS pace makes all the difference. Even when none of it makes sense, we trust in His plan. Whether it’s a “yes,” “wait,” or “no,” He is in control. His ways are always higher…</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">…so, may we rest in the lower as we move to His higher.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By Eric Joseph Staples ©</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.lifeaid101.com</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;"><br /></p>Joseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.com2