tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67728052876956029322024-02-19T08:45:12.465-06:00Beneath a Kansan SkyPaige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-35823665109387080032017-09-24T21:13:00.001-05:002017-09-24T21:13:06.517-05:00Remain FaithfulFor my birthday my mother gave me a devotional book by Paul David Tripp. For the last couple days each devotional begins with maybe you want ___________ from Jesus and then it ends with this phrase, "He will be nothing less than the Sovereign Savior King." Our world is in a pretty uncertain time right now. Who are we kidding, we are always in that state. However we have become more aware of this as our nation has been hit my one natural disaster after another. Impending threats from North Korea, Hurricane after Hurricane devastating all in its path, earthquakes, wild fires out of control and flooding are a few of the things we are facing today. I will be honest, it is scary. I have friends and family in the path of Irma. The storms changed our plans for orientation week for interns. There is a lot of crazy, uncertainty. As I walk through today stressing, thinking and planning for every possible scenario I am reminded once again that this is not my ministry. This is not my earth. This is not my plan. None of this is for my glory or depended upon my knowledge or actions. It is all under the feet of my God. "He will be nothing less than the Sovereign Savior King."<br />
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What a beautiful thing to rest in. It isn't easy to rest in, but it is beautiful and perfect. In our human flesh we want to reason and understand. We want it under our control. However, that is just impossible. It think of the Psalmist who ask "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Who are we to think that we have any authority or power to hold any control in our hands. I have heard people saying that the end of the world is coming.... to be honest it is. It gets closer and closer every day. But we do not know the day or hour of our Lord's return. Whatever the next day, weeks, months, or years hold for us will we gain a day more by worrying about it? Will our desperate attempt to control things change the course of God's will? Where does this leave us? I think there are several responses to this knowledge but my prayer is that my response be one of faithful hope.<br />
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We could deny it. We could hide from all the misery and disaster. We could try and build our own little kingdom or world, hemming in ourselves from the frightfulness outside our walls. We could become hopeless. We could know that the end is coming and just give up. We could sit and wait for it and do nothing more. I have wanted to do both of these. A part of me wants to turn off the T.V. and radio and block out any outside noise. I want to build my little life in peace and quiet and not think about any impending danger. But of course Jesus himself warned us that in this world we would have trouble. It isn't a very biblical response to run from it. I have also wanted to just sit and wait and forget everything else. I mean if the Lord is coming back next week lets just forget it all! Let me grab my coffee, my Bible's and just sit with the skyline in view...waiting anxiously. Then again when Jesus ascended into heaven, telling his disciples he would be back for them they stood their looking to the sky only to be rebuked by an angle. "What on earth are you looking at? Go, get to work!" (my paraphrase, obviously)<br />
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Neither of these are right responses... they are filled with fear or selfishness, honestly. God has been teaching me a lot recently in both regards. I realized that the best response is faithfulness. The Lord is coming back soon. That is a nonnegotiable, non-disputable fact. It is getting closer and closer every day. We are to be ready for it! Which I am. I am saved and right with the Lord. I will continue to fall before him when I sin and confess my sin because he is faithful and just to forgive it. We are to be watching! We aren't supposed to get so caught up living this life that we forget that we are bound for an even greater destination. Have a heavenly aspect of life. Remembering that this life is temporary. We are supposed to GO. God gives us many commissioning speeches throughout Scripture. We are called to be the feet that spread the gospel, those who tell others of his goodness and to bring him glory. We are called to work for him! It is like that story of the owner who gave 3 men differing amounts of talents and went away, telling them he would be back. The ones who invested the talents to bring more back to their master were rewarded. We are like those men. God has given us talents to bring him glory and one day he will return. He won't be satisfied if we bury our talent and anxiously and fearful wait his return! NO! We are called to invest those talents to further his kingdom and to bring him glory. Everything is for his glory! So remain faithful. In the midst of chaos, controversy and imminent doom, remain faithful to your God and King.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"He will be nothing less than the Sovereign Savior King."</span></i></b></div>
<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-48595379293962260662017-09-16T10:19:00.002-05:002017-09-19T09:51:11.533-05:00A voice of Hope<div style="text-align: left;">
As I sat in the midst of a circle of god-fearing women I heard these words... voices of many of my inward struggles.</div>
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<i>"Lonely. Unbalanced. Overwhelmed. Discouraged. Struggling with Obedience. Timid Witness. Trials of Life. Trying to earn God's approval/love. Sick and Unbelieving Family. Workers are Few. Distracted."</i></div>
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Does it not cause tears to form in your eyes and your heart feel suppressed and crushed? It is such a strange phenomenon that to be in the Lord's work can be so painful and such a struggle. Yet, here we are. I am not talking about young believers thrown into a ministry that they have no idea about. I am talking about season women of God, who have served Him their entire lives. On other days you would find us all with a smile on our faces, excited to share with you what the Lord was doing. We would tell you of all the success of the ministry that the Lord had called us to. But here, here was a protected place of sisters who come in their human states: broken, hurt, discouraged.... We are broken vessels who told the Lord that He could use us as he saw fit. That is all we are. We are not strong. We are not mighty. We are not world-changers. We are not super-women. We do not have it all together. <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">We have surrendered. </span></i></b><br />
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Why do I feel the need to write this blog post? There are 2 reasons. The first being for those out there thinking that they can't be the world changers. The ones who think they are stuck in their job, with their kids or whatever it is that you feel holds you back from serving the Lord. The only thing in the way of God using you right where you are is SURRENDER. God can and will use anyone. Did you read that description above?? We don't have it together but God still uses us every day! What a beautiful thing! Surrender to Him. Whatever He asks of you He will accomplish if you allow Him. It is always Him.<br />
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The second reason I wanted to write this blog is for all my sisters in ministry. Ministry isn't easy. We often get discouraged and tired. I hear you. I see you. I mourn with you. I struggle with you. You are not alone. You never have been. I want to remind you of something vitally important. No matter what age you are, what season of life, this is TRUTH.<br />
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<b>GOD CALLED YOU TO THE MINISTRY YOU ARE IN. </b></div>
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We can often doubt that truth right there. Satan tries to tell us that we aren't good enough. We messed up. Our gifts don't allow us to do _________. We don't know how to handle that. Who are you to be doing _________ for the Lord? Let me tell you who you are...</div>
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"Fear not I have <i>redeemed</i> you; I have <i>summoned</i> you by name; you are <b><span style="font-size: large;">MINE</span></b>." (Isaiah 43:1b)</div>
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You are CHOSEN. You are JUSTIFIED <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Cor. 6:11)</span>. You are WASHED <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Cor. 6:11)</span>. You are REDEEMED. You are SUMMONED. You are more than a CONQUEROR <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Rom 8:37)</span>. You are an HEIR with CHRIST <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Rom. 8:17)</span>. You are a NEW CREATION <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 Cor 5:17)</span>. You are ACCEPTED <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Rom 15:7)</span>. You are UNITED with CHRIST <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Cor. 6:17)</span>. You are the TEMPLE of the HOLY SPIRIT <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1Cor. 6:19).</span></div>
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Satan can try all day to make us feel unworthy. Without Christ we are unworthy. But we are IN CHRIST. He has commissioned us and asked us to do what we are doing. And He hasn't left us to do it all alone. He is here with us. Be encouraged and know that in the midst of the loneliness, being unbalanced, being overwhelmed, being discouraged, struggling to be obedient, being timid in our faith, going through the trials of life, fearing the Lord's disapproval, crying for our families who are sick and disbelieving, discouraged because the workers are few, and being distracted, He is here. He knows. He knows our struggles. He knows our hurt and pain. He hasn't left us and He hasn't decided He can't use us. What a beautiful thing about our Lord is that He chooses us in our broken messes. This is His ministry and He will complete it... and He desires to use YOU to do it. Stay strong, and know you are loved. </div>
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<i><b>1 Peter 2:19-25</b></i></div>
Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-59942894878704702822017-07-10T10:15:00.003-05:002017-07-10T10:15:52.851-05:00What Missionaries Need MostLet's get real here for a minute... missions isn't what you think. You might have gone on a short term trip every year in high school; you might support multiple missionaries or have their prayer cards proudly displayed throughout your house, but missions isn't what you think. Missionaries will come to your church and share. You will hear members of the church telling you to pray and support missions. They tell you to go and do mission work in your neighborhood, local church or workplace. It is a constant heartbeat of believers to do, be and connect with missions. I am so thankful for this. I am thankful for my sending church that loves me, supports me and prays for me. I continue to pray that churches all over the world would link arms to bring the gospel to the unreached. As an intern coordinator my heart is to see young men and women trained and sent out for missions. My heart is to see them connected with local churches to accomplish missions. As a part of a pretty large missionary family, I long to see my fellow family members encouraged and strengthened in the Lord. I told the Lord that I would be the one to go overseas, to go to the front lines, to be the one evangelizing and risking my life but, in His perfect plan and faithful direction, He has led me to be a part of encouraging, equipping and sending. I take this mission very seriously. This blog post has been long overdue but now it's time to put hands to the keyboard once again. The question that begs to be asked is, "What do missionaries really need?"<br />
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<b><i>Prayers and Paychecks:</i></b> There are two misconceptions that we must address first. Often, when we talk about missionaries on the field and their immediate needs, we are told to give and pray. But are these really what missionaries need the most? Yes, finances are important. It can be super-frustrating trying to get on the field, waiting for support. We could not do what we do without financial partners! Likewise, prayers are super important. I see the power of prayer work again and again on the field. However, I think we have gotten so used to just saying, "give and pray" that it becomes just another box to check. Then, another month, year or however long goes by before the missionary returns again. In between life goes on. May I suggest a revision? Yes, pray for your missionary. But don't just blindly pray for them. Be informed. There are specific battles, needs and temptations in each missionary's life. Ask them how you can pray for them and tell them that you prayed for them specifically. Maybe your church family has specific requests already. Great! What a welcome sight it would be to get a text or email out of the blue from a church member saying they prayed for a specific need. You may even get a reply to let you know your prayers were answered. That is truly being connected with missions. As for finances... God uses support-raising in missionaries' lives mainly for humility and dependence (not on others but on the Lord). God may have you meet a specific need for a missionary. But I urge you to not just write a check or throw some cash in an offering plate just because you don't know what else to do. Instead, I urge you to ask what the needs are. You may be surprised to find that you can provide specifically what they need. God works in amazing ways through His people! Be aware and be a part. Missionaries are not organizations run like a well-oiled machine. They are people surrendered to the work of the Lord. </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Struggle for Support: </i>We all know what it means when a missionary comes into the congregation, stands up to give a report and ends with saying, "Would you prayfully consider supporting me?" It means pull out our checkbooks, throw something in the offering plate, pick up their prayer card or sign up for their newsletter (which we may or may not read...lets be honest here, I get a LOT of newsletters. It's hard to read them all in their entirety). Granted, they are most likely looking for financial partners to get onto the field at that moment. What I don't think a lot of new missionaries going onto the field know at that moment is how much more they need and desire. Here is where I am going to be super honest, from personal experience and from watching others. There are days that it's rough, and I know that I am not the only missionary that has struggled with this. In fact, I think this is one of the biggest struggles of missionaries, summed up in one word: <b>Loneliness</b>. Whether you go to another country or another state, you leave all you know behind-your church, your friends, your comfort zone. What is worse, missionaries often feel forgotten by those we left behind. Everyone is busy, life goes on. We know they pray and care but their life is going one way and ours goes another. When we go home to give a report we are welcomed. People ask us how things are going and if we enjoy it. They mention they see your posts or newsletter and it looks like things are great. Then it gets a little awkward because you realize that life as gone on without you. You no longer fit into your old life or comfort zone. You feel out of place and are torn between wanting to just go back to your ministry and wanting to go back to the way things were and forgetting this "missionary thing." This is just the tragic reality of life. What do missionaries really need? They need support. But what does that mean? </div>
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<i><b>SUPPORT: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">bear all or part of the weight of; hold up 2. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">give approval, comfort, or encouragement to 3. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">suggest the truth of</span></span></i></blockquote>
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I love these definitions of support. Each one speaks to the needs of a missionary. First, a missionary needs to be held up and helped in bearing the weight. Missions is messy. It is rough. It is heart-breaking. It is frustrating. What makes it even harder, is we have this idea that missions is glorious (which it is) and beautiful and rewarding. We forget that it is like being on the front lines of a battle field. We don't think of the front lines as a pretty place. Missionaries don't want to let on to all the struggles and frustrations they often see. (They honestly don't need to all the time. It isn't healthy and it isn't building the body up.) However, sometimes they need someone who isn't in the situation to cry out to. Not to whine, not to get sympathy, but to pray with them and for them and to point them back to scripture. They need reminded that they are called to this mission and that the calling is worth it. They need reminded of who they are in Christ. They need help bearing the weight. They need held up. Missionaries are people. They are insecure at times. They are keenly aware of their weaknesses. They are often tempted. They struggle with other people, believe it or not. Satan will do anything to tear apart their families, friendships, ministries and testimonies. They don't just need prayers from a distance. They need support bearers. The first goes straight into the second. They need encouragement and approval. Like I said earlier, missionaries can be insecure. You wouldn't believe how many times Satan tries to get us to believe that we shouldn't be where we are, that we have no business trying to do whatever mission God has called us to. When you are alone, facing the weight of ministry and Satan throws that lie at you!! Let me tell you, it is rough to ignore. That is why missionaries need approval. They need to be reminded that God did call them. He fights for them and works in them and through them. No, it isn't them. It is ALL God. But He chose to use them! Which leads us to the third point. Missionaries need to be continually reminded of TRUTH.<br />
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So, what does this look like practically? I can give you some suggestions but the best way is to always ask.<br />
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<b>Respond: </b>This might seem a little ridiculous but it is encouraging. Missionaries are told over and over again to keep in contact and to connect their supporters with the mission. It is a LOT of work to write up newsletters and prayer calendars and to write thank you notes. We love doing it, but it can be discouraging when you never get a response. When other posts get more likes than the mission pages sometimes it can cause a missionary to wonder if anyone really reads their updates. "Am I doing all this in vain?" is a question that runs through a missionaries mind. Missionaries know it isn't truly in vain but it can feel that way. Write a note, like a post, comment or send a message. These little things mean a lot. It means people are invested in the ministry.<br />
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<b>Build a Relationship: </b>Don't forget your missionary! Especially if you were friends before they went onto the field. Tell them what is going on in your life back home. Connect them back to the church! Ask them about their life and the ministry. Just build a normal relationship. This next suggestion may seem outdated in our technologically advanced society, but letters and packages are still fun to receive. If you have a missionary out of the country, you could even send them things you know they miss from home. That takes knowing your missionary.<br />
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<b>Be a Part: </b>If it is possible, go visit them! Be a part of the ministry. Help them out for a week or however long you can. It boosts a missionary's morale when the church that told them they were sending them, investing in them and praying for them actually puts boots on the ground and shakes their hand. It reminds them that they are not alone in the ministry! Any way that you can tell your missionary that you believe in the ministry that they are doing, that it is important and that they are doing something you support and are invested in, that is encouraging.<br />
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<i>I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Are there some things I missed? How can missionaries and supporters be better connected? Are you a missionary? I would love to hear what you think a missionary needs most. </i><br />
<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-10830418779081368922017-01-29T15:34:00.001-06:002017-01-29T16:01:00.362-06:00The Un-Surrendured Will<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In this time in our country there is so much uproar over so many things. With the age of Social Media the debate and turmoil it is upfront and in our faces. There seems to be no way to escape it. I am one who doesn't believe in running from a battle but rather standing to fight. I have had to learn the hard way that it is not I who should be fighting but rather I should be still and allow the Lord to fight on my behalf. As someone once told me, "we are not here to fight the world but to win the world." But again that is slightly off topic of why I felt the need to again put the pen to paper or the fingers to the keyboard.... I might get some flack for this post but I feel like it is important.<br />
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(NOTE: This post has nothing to do with where I stand on the immigration laws but rather the heart of believers and what we should be doing as a church regardless of the immigration laws.)<br />
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It is no secret the the United States is in a huge debate regarding the immigration bans etc... that have been put in place this last week. I have heard and read it all. Believe it or not I love to follow the news. I am well read and aware of the situation going on. As I watched and listened to those pleading for us to open our arms and homes to help those in need (A very christian thing to say) I can't help thinking "why do you not go?"<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"WHY DO YOU NOT GO?"</span></i></b></div>
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I recently reread the biography of my favorite missionary, Hudson Taylor. It again amazes me what those men and women went through to take the gospel. They were willing to do anything, go anywhere, give up any comfort, forsake anything or anyone, for the sake of the gospel of Christ. Yes, we should open our arms and our homes to those in need. However, why must we demand the government to do that for us? Why are we not going? If we are so concerned for them why are we not dropping everything and going to them? Why are we not being the hands and feet of Jesus? It is one thing to stay home and demand justice from our comfy seats near the hearth. It is another thing to give it all up and go. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” -Hudson Taylor</b></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This culture that we have been raised in does not know the meaning of sacrifice. We hear it, we read about, sometimes we long to understand it. But the truth is we don't. We have this mentality that God will never call us to something we don't desire or that which is too difficult or out of our comfort zone. After all, doesn't he give us the desires of our heart? Does he not give us gifts to use for his kingdom? Will he not use my gifts and talents? Of course all of these are truth of scripture but alone they are unbalanced. Over, and over again it tells us in Scripture to expect tribulation and persecution and yet we automatically think that if we run into any trials that we have to stop and back away! Oh how I pray that we can become BOLD WARRIORS for the Lord!! If the Lord called you to the occupation you didn't want to have would you do it? If he called you to go to the one place you didn't want to go, would you pack your bags? If he asked you to give up the one thing you feel like you can't live without, would you give it up? Will you run head-long towards the calling or will you shy away? Will you walk toward it begrudgingly? Will you deny the call because you can't believe he would call you to something you don't want to do? Are you willing to have a life characterized by sacrifice? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.” - Hudson Taylor</span></b></span></blockquote>
What I loved about the example Hudson Taylor set is that not only was he determined but also disciplined. He knew God called him to China. From that moment he began preparing. To know that it was 5-6 months by boat, away from his family, that didn't stop him. The fact that he wouldn't have a lot, that didn't stop him. The fact that no English men were really in inland China, that didn't stop him. The fact that the best way to get into China was being a doctor and that is not the profession he originally wanted, that didn't stop him. He KNEW where God called him and he ran head-long into his mission. He knew God would provide, protect and lead. It leads us to examine our own lives. Are we willing? Is our life characterized by sacrifice? Are we willing to go and be the hands and feet or would we rather sit back and just be a mouthpiece. Shouting into the wind, asking those in government or in authority or just those passing by, telling them of the injustice and need. The great thing about christianity is that we follow the example of Christ and SEE the need and then MEET the need. Are you truly surrendered to the will of Christ for your life? Whether that means leaving your home, your occupation, your comfort, your family....What if it means losing your life for the sake of Christ? I urge you believers, surrender to his will and be willing to GO.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>“The real secret of an unsatisfied life lies too often in an unsurrendered will.” -Hudson Taylor</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-32985496845946083752016-11-01T19:12:00.000-05:002016-11-01T19:12:02.228-05:00Exalted among the NationsHave you ever sat still in the cool of the evening and watched as the sky melted into color upon color? Have you ever sat back and watched heat lightening shatter through the sky? Have you ever stood in the doorway, the breeze blowing across your face as a rain storm came closer and closer to your door?<br />
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Our God is a mighty God. We know this. We talk about it. We preach on it. We hold onto it. We study it. We act upon it. We share it. But do we sit and watch it??<br />
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I was Camp Gilead one weekend. The guy head counselor and I were with some other summer staff enjoying the lake front. Isaac and I were sitting on the square dock out in the middle of the lake. Neither of us were talking. We sat and enjoyed the silence. Some of the younger staff came over blaring music and being loud. I remember Isaac's comment and have often thought of it...he said, "I think there is a certain maturity required to sit silently." I think he is right. I remember being a little girl, spending the night at my grandparents house. Early in the morning hours I would wake up and creep up the stairs. Every time I did so I saw the same thing. Grandma and Grandpa sat on the couches facing the glass doors out to the beautiful back yard. They each had a cup of coffee in their hand. There was little talking, but when they did it was slow and quiet. I loved those early morning hours with my grandparents. How calming and beautiful it was to sit in secure silence.<br />
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I have to say there is very few calm, silent moments in my life these days. Camp ministry or ANY ministry for that matter is not what I would call calm...or silent. I am so thankful for the courageous fury that fuels and propels ministry into loving action. It is necessary and pretty incredible. It show's God's grace and providence that missionaries can last as long as they do in such a state. I have often talked about the chaos of ministry... but that is not what I want to talk about tonight. No, there is another chaos within our own souls. We are busy with righteous fury. Especially these days. Yep, the election has spurred more righteous and unrighteous fury amongst this nation than I have ever seen. We have debated, argued, and counter-argued. We have educated ourselves. We have listened, read, watched and followed. We have participated. We have spoken for or against. We have supported or denied support. It is safe to say we have been active. More active than I have seen people be in an election since I have been following elections. (Which was at a very young age thanks to my grandmother.) But now the election is here. A day we wait for with bated-breath and uneasy anticipation. In these final moments, when we feel like world could come crashing around us, what do we do?<br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-41" id="en-ESV-25396" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“...Martha, Martha, you are <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-25396E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25396E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>anxious and troubled about many things..."</span></i></b></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, how we are like Martha these days. We are ready to get things right. We are preparing for the Lord's arrival. We are on a righteous crusade to bring this nation back to the Word of God. I praise the Lord that so many of his people desire a world that is ruled by the Word of God. But how anxious and troubled we are. We are anxious about results. We are anxious about the state of our homes, our states, our nation. We are troubled by what we see, hear and watch. We are troubled by the evil around us. We are troubled by satan's havoc in the world. Yes, there are so many things to be anxious and troubled about. But I don't want to be a Martha. I don't want to be anxious about tomorrow...my future, the present, my work, my ministry, or my home. I want to "be anxious for nothing." I want to "cast all my cares on Him." I want to have the "peace that passes all understanding." Yes, there may be trouble in this world but "[HE] has overcome the world!" Can I not rest in that? Can I not sit in secure silence, knowing that all may not be right but HE IS GOOD? The second part of this very is convicting and lovely all at the same time. It is like a deep sigh of relief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i><span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-ESV-25397" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"...but one thing is necessary.</span><span class="text Luke-10-42" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> Mary has chosen <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-25397F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25397F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”</span></i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">BUT ONE THING IS NECESSARY! As I was driving from NC back to HQ this last weekend a verse kept running through my head. I was driving through the beautiful national forest. The leaves are changing colors. the sun was rising and the car was silent. It was me and God. And Psalms 46:10 rolled over and over in my head. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." We often hear about being still. We have heard sermon upon sermon on that part of the verse. Have you ever mediated on the second part of the verse?? Nations will exult </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">Him. NATIONS. I love the way the Holman says it, "</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">Stop your fighting--and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth."</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"> Isn't that just so fitting? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is time to sit back and WATCH. Our God is good. Our God is great. He is sovereign. He is mighty. He is in control. Yeah, we have talked about that. We have preached it to each other over the course of the last couple months. But now...NOW is the time for us as believers to sit in secure silence and watch our GOD MOVE. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elisha stood still and watched as God's army defended him from his enemies. Moses and the children of Israel stood still and watched as God stopped the egyptians with fire, as he parted the read sea, as he closed the sea upon the chariots. Daniel stood still and watch God close the mouths of lions. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendnego stood still in the fiery furnace as their God delivered them. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To think that we, as frail human beings, can change the world is crazy. What pride. What arrogance. Our God is the one who moves. He is the one who changes hearts. He is the one who directs kings like a watercourse. He is the one who saves. Yes, he calls us to action on many </span></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">occasions. Sometimes though I think we get so caught up DOING FOR GOD, that we forget that GOD DOES. Sometimes I think He is waiting for us to sit down to be silent and watch. Did you ever meet that kid that wouldn't shut up? They had all the answers and all the questions. They made themselves the center of attention and were determined to be a part of the solution. You just wanted to tell them to shut up and sit down for a minute. Maybe they would learn something. Maybe you would fix the problem they had. Sometimes I think we are that kid. Brings a whole new meaning to Psalms 46:10 for me.... </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know about you but I am ready. I am ready to grow up a little bit and show some maturity. I am ready to sit in secure silence. I may not know it all or understand but I know the one who does. I'm going to sit still in the presence of my King and watch as he works for my good and for his glory.</span></span></div>
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<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-22195617928338895012016-10-16T11:33:00.002-05:002016-10-16T11:33:31.652-05:00He is Worth it AllToday is Sunday. One of my favorite days of the week. I was especially excited about this Sunday. I was going to visit a new church. I had visited once before and I was excited to go again. I was going alone, which for some might not be enjoyable, but for me it is. It was going to be me and God and I was going to enjoy every minute of it. I needed refreshed. I needed to have life put back into perspective. I needed to remember why ministry is important and why I do what I do. I needed to be fed by the Word. Well, I had my idea of how that should go but as the Lord tells us through the prophet Isaiah, <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD." Our God knows exactly what we need and how to get that message across to us. </span></span><div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I got up and put together the perfect outfit. I even called my sister to make sure I chose the perfect shoes. I snuggled on my cat and made a cup of coffee. I grabbed my Bible and headed towards church. As I was driving, I talked with God about my dilemma. I knew I was struggling. Struggling with the same thing I struggle with day in and day out. Some days are better than others. Really it is more like week by week. I was struggling with where he has put me and what he has called me to do. In the world's eyes I </span></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">don't fit. I can hear some of you now trying to reassure me that I do fit but the truth is I </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">don't and I shouldn't. A mid-western girl in her mid 20's should have met the love of her life in the 3rd grade, married right out of high school and had 2-3 kids by now. But that is not where I am at...not even close. I am by no means writing this post to whine about not being married and having a family. I don't really desire that. However, it does effect my life a lot. I don't know if I can explain it. It is honestly, mostly in my head. Needless to say it is a struggle to not desire the Pinterest life and dream about what I would make my life look like if I had the chance. What would my house look like? What would my wardrobe look like? How would people view me? What other titles would I hold? How would people look up to me? All of these things focus on myself and what I want. It has nothing to do with God or what he has in store. Not just for me...this has nothing to do with me but about his glory. I had gotten so caught up in myself this week that I had forgotten why I </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">exists in the first place. It is for his glory, not my own. So I prayed what I knew I should pray. That God would open my eyes to his work and his plan and not my own. That I would be focused on the eternal and not the earthly. At this point, I had driven through the mountains and was on the outskirts of town when I saw a sight that immediately made my heart </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">drop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There she was in a brown tattered and torn uniform. She looked dirty, bent over by weight of who knows what. She carried a tattered black purse in one hand and two plastic bags in the other. I was going 50mph but I could see her. I saw her struggle along the side of the road and I knew. I immediately knew what God was telling me to do and I denied it. I kept driving as the Spirit tugged at my heart and wouldn't let me forget it. I thought, "There is too much traffic." then I prayed, "Lord what can I do?" I heard him loud and clear. "Turn around." </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">But Lord! That isn't safe!" I told him my dad wouldn't approve. I told him it was dangerous. I then told him that I would be late for church and I shouldn't forsake the assembly. I told him that by this time she probably won't be there. But he wouldn't leave me alone. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here I am, a missionary, teaching young men and women how to be a missionary, and I didn't have enough love to immediately stop and help. My excuses?? Did you read </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">them? I realized how stupid they were when I began talking to the Lord about them. Dangerous? Really? That lady was bent over, older, ragged. Honestly, if she did try and over power you Jack, I think you could handle yourself. I mean you have been running, working out. Even if she did somehow over power you... If it was a life or death scenario... WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had just asked God to tune me into his plan and his will. Here it was. And I didn't like it. I turned the car around. As I drove back to where I had seen her, I silently hoped she might be gone. MY HEART! Oh how desperately wicked it is. I was shaking as I pulled over beside her, parked my car and got out to greet her. I gazed into the face of a person. A person created in the image of God. She was beautiful. She was fearfully and wonderfully made. She needs Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, I missed church this morning. I didn't get to give her the whole gospel message. I didn't get to hear her whole life story. I don't even know if I will ever see her again or if I made any impact at all. But that doesn't matter. God knows. It is his plan after all, not mine. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I drove away from where I dropped her off, the smell of her still permeating my car. As I drove down the road my heart broke all over again. Ok, God. I got it. This is your world. This is your plan and it is all for your glory. Help me to continually think not about not my pinterest life, not my latest idea for my apartment but instead about others. Help me see the brokenness. Help me love people the way you love them. Lord here I am, SEND ME! Send me to the broken and hurting and lost. Send me to those who have struggles and problems and help me love them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You know God always has an amazing plan and he is so good at leading you right where he wants you if you surrender. I was thinking this great experience was to send me overseas, to go minister to the homeless, to do something crazy. Well, he may call me to do some of that but as I asked him to send me to the broken, to the ones that struggle, he quietly said, "look at your doorstep." I have 10 young men and women literally come to my doorstep every year. They may not be homeless on the street but they bring with them their insecurities, their struggles, their </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">brokenness. Am I loving them? Am I loving them the way GOD LOVES THEM? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God has sent me. The way he sends us and where he sends us is not always as romantic or exciting as we wish it to be. But he has sent us. He has sent us to the broken, to the dying, to the struggling, to the hurting. It may be someone on the side of the road. It may be an orphan. Or maybe it is the next door neighbor. Maybe it is that kids in Awana. Maybe it is a sibling, a cousin, a grandparent. It may be a number of different scenarios. BUT ARE WE FAITHFUL? Will we listen when the Spirit prompts us? Are we faithful in the little? Are we willing? Are we willing to go anywhere or stay anywhere? Are we willing to talk to anyone, care for anyone, love anyone? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I often come to the place in my life where I say, "Here I am, Send me!" but often when I get the assignment I shrink back.... I should BODLY and FEARLESSLY serve my Lord no matter WHAT THE COST! Have you counted the cost? Have you given it to him? Are you willing to give it all for the cross? Not everyone is called to the jungles of Africa but we are all called to SACRIFICE. What is he asking you to give up? Guess what? <b>HE IS WORTH IT!</b></span></span></div>
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-44191792779432975792016-10-09T19:14:00.003-05:002016-10-16T10:26:25.640-05:00Greater Communion with HimSUMMER IS OVER! I seriously can't believe it. It was a whirlwind of traveling and adventure and service. Right after summer ended we launched right into the intern overseas mission trip. We had one week to debrief the whole summer with 10 interns and then turn around and prepare for our mission trip to Moldova..... SEVEN. WHOLE. DAYS. It was exciting to say the least. There are a lot of hilarious and amazing moments that maybe I'll blog about soon but something else is on my heart....<br />
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Here I am finally back home in the mountains of TN. I was sitting in my office one morning, two bibles lay open on my desk. My computer was open. There was a word document with scriptures and the internet where I was doing word studies. My headphones were plugged into my phone and my dad was on the other line. I love talking to my father; there is something special about it. I think God the Father designed it that way; maybe to show a picture of what it should be like with him. I know not everyone has the amazing relationship that I have with my dad. I'll be honest, I almost lost it. Which makes times like the one I'm describing even more precious. My dad and I aren't just alike in almost every way...I mean I even inherited his big feet...but we have double blood relation. Ok, that is a weird way to put it... but as I have said before, my dad always told me that blood was thicker than water, Christ's blood is thicker than blood, but the strongest bond of all is a double blood brother. You know, when they are your real brother or relative but they are also your brother/sister in Christ. Well, my dad and I are that. That is a pretty unbreakable bond.<br />
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Anyhooooooo... my dad and I are sitting there discussing scripture and somehow get onto the return of Christ. (Probably because its COMING SOON PEOPLE!!) In a moment of revelation I said to him, "There was a time, even a year ago that I dreaded the Lord's return, or I didn't want it to come anytime soon. But now, if he came right now, I honestly would be the happiest person in the world!" My dad's reply?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"It's because you're in greater communion with him." </span></b><br />
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That phrase has been stuck in my head: "greater communion with him." What on earth does it mean to commune with God? I am so glad you asked because I did some research. :p</div>
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"...And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."- 1 John 1:3b</div>
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"God has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Cor. 1:9</div>
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The Greek word for communion is <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "cardo" , "gentiumalt" , "galilee unicode gk" , "galatia sil" , "palatino linotype" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">κοινωνία. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look a little "Greek" to you? lol that was a bad joke....anyways let's use the transliteration shall we?<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The transliteration is: </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">koinónia. When you start looking into this word it gets really cool. This is why I love word studies ya'll! </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">It is used 19 times in the New Testament and</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"> is translated: Participation, Fellowship, Contribution, and Sharing. This word means </span><span style="color: #001320;">fellowship</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">, communion, association, community, and joint participation. It can also mean contact, fellowship, intimacy, in communication. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">When we think of fellowship we often thing of "hanging out" getting to know </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">someone or chilling with someone we know, but it is so much more. To be in fellowship with the Father? This means first and foremost COMMUNICATION. How much are God and I communicating? This summer, compared to last summer? 10x more!! Why? One was because I dived into prayer. Prayer is so powerful. I know you hear that ALL the time as a believer. But if you have ever tasted it...truly tasted the </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">power, the sweetness of prayer...well you know exactly what I am talking about. It literally opens up a whole new world. You are engaging in the spiritual warfare. Your eyes are open to the working and moving of the Holy Spirit. It is incredible! How can you not be closer to the Father when communicating, heavily communicating through prayer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PARTICIPATION. This is an interstesing word to find here isn't it? Fellowship, Intimacy, these things should come naturally right? You should just "FEEL" them if they are right. At least that is what our world tells us. But that is not the biblical model. We must participate. God is waiting; he has invited us to participate in fellowship with him. That is amazing! We have an invitation...what are we going to do? Look, can I be frank? I have been walking with God close to 20 years now. It hasn't been easy. It is not just a "feeling." It goes up and down sometimes and most of all, it TAKES WORK! I have to </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">actively pursue my relationship with Christ. No, I'm not saying my salvation is based on anything I have done. I'm saved by the grace of God. We aren't talking about salvation here...we are talking about fellowshipping with our Savior! He is always ready to listen, he has given us his Word to read and he is working all around us. He has invited us to be a part of it, to participate, to fellowship. I don't always want to. Sometimes, I like doing my own thing. But, if I go off and do my own thing, then I am not in close fellowship with the Father. I may not be doing anything bad, but our relationship is not benefiting from it. We see this concept in imperfect human relationships....why </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">would we assume that it should be different with our Savior? Did he not design relationships to show us, to show the world, himself?</span></div>
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Then we come to these two words: CONTRIBUTION and SHARING. Well obviously, we need to share our recourses and time with the Lord. I mean that is the go to christian answer. That is something that is true. However, I think it goes deeper than that. We are talking about being in communion with God; to be in an intimate relationship with him. Maybe I am crazy and don't know what I am talking about, but I don't think we get into a close relationship with someone by just saying "well, I will spend several hours talking to you and then spend 10% of what I earn on charities you like." I think more realistically, this is talking about being open and vulnerable with God. This sounds funny cause we all know that God knows everything but for some reason we still live like we can hide things from him. That we don't need to tell him things. That we can figure it out on our own. That we don't need to deal with it. All the while, he is begging us to open up to him; to come to him hurting and broken, overwhelmed by our sin. We can go to him. We can talk to him. We can lay it all on the altar. Share with him. Not just your time or talents. Share with him your burdens, your struggles, your sin, your brokenness. Watch him pick up the pieces. Watch him make a masterpiece. Watch him comfort you. Watch him fill all your loneliness and unworthiness with worth and purpose and love and peace. Bring it all before him. Lay it bare at his feet.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">"O come to the altar. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">The Father's arms are open wide. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Forgiveness was bought with t</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">he precious blood of Jesus Christ.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">Oh what a Savior. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Isn't he wonderful? </span><span style="text-align: center;">Sing alleluia, Christ is risen. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Bow down before him f</span><span style="text-align: center;">or he is Lord of all. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Sing alleluia, Christ is risen."</span><span style="text-align: center;"> -Oh Come to the Altar</span></span></span></i></div>
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<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-34739545128346890892016-09-29T13:57:00.000-05:002016-09-29T13:57:12.059-05:00Caught in Chaos <blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>"The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies." -Napoleon Bonaparte</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
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I am a full-time missionary... and there are some confessions I need to make. I don't know about you, but when I was younger and read about or watched missionaries, I thought they were full of FAITH. Well, technically they are.... but there is so much that we often don't see. I thought about how nice and easy it would be to work in an environment where everyone believes the same thing, where your whole focus on God. It would come naturally to read the Word, study and pray. I don't know if I am just a really young and crazy missionary who doesn't know how to do this missionary thing right or what but that wonderful place I just described isn't reality. Missions is messy!<br />
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Now don't go running away covering your ears or gasping in horror. Take a moment and listen. I believe missions is suppose to be a messy business. I know that sounds weird but its true. What is missions?? My pastor used to say "Ministry is People." People, as we all know too well, are a messy business. We are broken, anxious, too confident, not confident enough, and imperfect. As believers, we are called to go into the mess and bring hope. How on earth, in a position on the front lines of spiritual warfare, can we think everything is rainbows and unicorns??? Yeah, ministry is a messy business. But that is actually a rabbit trail.... The main reason for writing this is my own personal journey with the Lord. I have to be honest, I struggle. I know that isn't anything new to those who know me. Spend any amount of time around me and you know I am a mess! Half the time I call my interns by the wrong name, can't find my glasses and have about 50 sticky notes of "to do" lists because at heart I am a 85 year old lady who can't handle technology. Ya, I have problems. I am the first to admit it...normally. But as a missionary, as an intern coordinator, Sunday School teacher, former counselor, I hate to admit one area that I struggle with. That is my personal devotions. I harp on the importance of them all the time. I know how important they are. I love doing them. I love the idea of them. I love teaching about them. But for some odd reason I struggle to be consistent in them!!<br />
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It isn't from lack of desire. I desire to sit with my many Bibles, concordances, maps and various other recourses laid open all over my living room floor. I would love to have a never ending pot of coffee, many highlighters, cute notebooks and good ballpoint pens at my disposal as I search the scriptures. But (yes there is always a "but").... Honestly you could fill it in with many things. But I have a meeting. But this intern needs me. But I have a recruiting trip. But I need to get the schedule out. But I need to work on this fundraiser. But my house needs cleaned. But I need to call that family member I haven't talked to in a while. But I need to catch up with that supporter. There is always something. It never stops. I get so caught up in ministry. The older I get, the more I identify with Martha. Shoot, she was doing some awesome things. Things that needed to be done! Do you know how much work ministry is?? 24/7 I am available for interns. 10 interns in the program and all the interns who have graduated. I need to make sure I know where they are at, at all times. I need to know their spiritual and emotional and physical well-being. Make sure their schedules are put out and everything is outlined clear. Answer questions. Take phone calls. Check Facebook messenger. Grade papers. send out notifications. Schedule classes. Meet with potential interns. Go through applications. Update social media. Work on the website. Take pictures and post them. Call colleges about recruiting trips. Talk to camp directors about rotations. Plan weekend activities. Send birthday cards. Send encouragement cards and care packages. Send out receipts. Write thank you notes. Update supporters. Go to staff meeting. THINGS HAVE TO BE DONE. It is ministry. But in the midst of this I am supposed to set aside time to spend one on one with the Lord????<br />
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The problem is I have been thinking about it all wrong. I have serving the ministry and not my God. It sounds horrible, because it is. But it is something that I struggle with. I have a "here and now" mindset and not an eternal mindset. Does it really make that big of a difference? Absolutely!! When I focus on the earthly, here and now, deadlines must be met rather than my God's law. Things and tasks become the most important rather than people and their spiritual well being. I begin building a legacy, a ministry, a building, a company rather than realizing that I am an alien bound for another place. My soul existence is based upon Christ's imminent return!! Yes, deadlines need met and meetings must happen (I should work diligently as unto the Lord); but how can I not choose the greater thing and sit at the feet of Jesus?<br />
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When I begin to focus on the eternal (I must admit I am learning. There is no way I have mastered this yet!), I begin to see more clearly the spiritual warfare taking place. This summer the Lord taught me a lot about prayer. He began cultivating prayer in my life. Let me tell you, when you pray, you see God. You start seeing him everywhere! It was like my eyes were open to this giant war that was raging all around me. I began to realize that there was no way I could continue being an intern coordinator without consistent prayer. I just couldn't tackle the battle on my own. There is nothing I can do to change the heart or mind of an intern.... however, HE CAN. He can protect them. He can comfort them. He can guide them. He can change them. I can pray. Turns out the Lord is now convicting me of the same thing only with my daily devotions.<br />
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How on earth can I continue in this ministry, in the chaos, without Him! I mean being CLOSE to him. I need to sit at the feet of Jesus. As Martin Luther said,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fcfbfa;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I have so much to do today that I'm going to need to spend three hours in prayer in order to be able to get it all done." I don't know how this makes sense. The math doesn't add up. (not that I am that good at math.) I have more to do than the hours in a day. In my mind I should be maneuvering tasks so they don't take as long, not adding another item to my list that will take MORE time out of my day. Yet </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">somehow, that is the key. It doesn't have to make sense. 1 Corinthians tells me that <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength." </i></span></span><br />
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I can't explain how it makes sense, I just know that it works. There are days that I still struggle. It isn't easy getting up earlier when interns love to hang out and stay up late but its worth it. Somehow it works; and I don't want to go back. I want to keep sitting at my savior's feet. Each day I want to choose what is better. Not my cup of coffee, not a phone call, not an extra 30 min of sleep. Those all might be good but they are pale in comparison to the ONE who is better.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"But one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her."</span></i></b></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">-Luke 10:42</span></i></b></span></blockquote>
<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-3900795152985501132016-07-27T16:15:00.000-05:002016-07-27T16:15:14.741-05:00A Believer's Battle CryI am in a battle.<br />
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Not a battle against flesh and blood, but agains principalities and the dark forces of evil. Summed up... I am in a deep spiritual battle. I know these words are normal in a christian society but don't let them hit you and fall in the box of normality. Let them wash over as a new revelation. Being in a physical world, it is often hard to open our eyes to the spiritual warfare waging around us. But that is what is happening. SO PRAY. For PRAYER is what opens our eyes to see clearly.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamPyGLQunr0tWeuzkMAy25IShyaUGT7MqNo88oarY_AUQ-2lGiFjcd_6upbm9owOygHQWtYZWnf9l0C22zZmZ5fz0iBxsIJQzEuTAcL5R_ewLVsyauYskgrq-j47nbb9dlRBEKEY80cn6/s1600/13627188_269418796752839_2294814157688210932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamPyGLQunr0tWeuzkMAy25IShyaUGT7MqNo88oarY_AUQ-2lGiFjcd_6upbm9owOygHQWtYZWnf9l0C22zZmZ5fz0iBxsIJQzEuTAcL5R_ewLVsyauYskgrq-j47nbb9dlRBEKEY80cn6/s200/13627188_269418796752839_2294814157688210932_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." </b></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>AND ELISHA PRAYED, "OH LORD, OPEN HIS EYES SO HE MAY SEE." </i></div>
</i><i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full or horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." -2 Kings 6:15-17</i></div>
</i></b></span></blockquote>
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When we come to Father and begin engaging in the warfare, we begin to see things differently. I don't know how to accurately explain it and even if I could you wouldn't understand unless you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you. All I know is I am in a huge battle and its becoming more real to me moment by moment.<br />
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These past 2 months I have been on the road. I have been traveling from camp to camp, serving, encouraging, counseling. It is week 8... to say there have been bumps in the road is an understatement. It is hard to explain because a lot of what I have been dealing with is invisible. Nonetheless, it is very real. It is attitudes, character, trials, testing and temptations. As you can imagine, I am tired... more like exhausted. You know those times...those times when you are wore out, to the breaking point. That is where I am at.<br />
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When I am tired, all I want to do is take a break. I want everything to stop. I want to get away. The problem is, I can't. Not because I don't have vacation time, or because there are too many people around or too much to do. (Although most of those things are also correct.) It is because you can't stop in the middle of a battle, unless you want to lose. Everyone knows that.<br />
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When I get to that point in my life, I start slowing down. I begin to drag my feet and my eyelids flutter trying to stay open. My desire is for a break. My prayer becomes, "Lord, please let me rest. I need a break....." It wasn't until I talked to my mom and she reminded me that I can't do it. I can't win the fight alone. Then I remembered that I was in a battle and it won't stop until the Lord returns or He calls me home! That hasn't happened yet. So, I have to keep going! However, I don't have to go at it alone! I need to remember the God who goes before me and the God who stands behind me. I need to remember the God is always stands by my side. This God will fight for me! All I need to do is stand still....<br />
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So my prayer became, "Lord, help me. Don't let me quite. Help me fight. Arm me. Help me put on the belt of truth and the breast plate of righteousness. Fit on my head the helmet of salvation and strap on my feet the shoes fitted with the gospel of peace. Help me wield accurately the sword of the Spirit and help me hold up the shield of faith." In this moment, I felt revived. Because I was no longer fighting alone. Yes, I am still tired. But my God is fighting before me. He takes the blows. All I need to do is stand still...armed. ready. prepared.<br />
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For I am in a battle.<br />
Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-85860112330740260412016-06-06T15:48:00.000-05:002016-06-06T15:48:25.451-05:00Summer Camp- The Beginnings<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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June 1<sup>st</sup> recently came around and besides all the
happy anniversary remarks to my cousin on facebook, the birthday reminders,
graduation pictures and engagement photos, I was reminded of a very pivotal
moment in my life that started on June 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2012. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I had just arrived home from a semester at Bible College. I
had just said goodbye to my friend Steven, who went to be with the
Lord a year later, my best friend had just told me she was engaged and my cousin was getting married! It was a crazy year. My
cousin, my best friend and I didn’t know it then, but my childhood friend,
all would be married that year. They all now have adorable little kids who I
love to pieces but that is for another story for another day. The very first of
June was my cousins wedding and it was magical. I always waited for that day.
We talked and dreamed about it as girls and then I got to watch it unfold
before my eyes. It was perfection. The next morning, already wrecked with
emotion, I found myself sitting on a plane headed for Florida, the “Sunshine
State.” Late that evening, Mr. and Mrs. Pritt picked me up from the airport and
we ran through a McDonalds drive through. It was dark so I couldn’t see a lot
of the state but I did see big poles shaped into a Mickey head as we passed
nearby Disney. That night I settled in their guest room on the lakefront of
Camp Gilead. The next morning, I woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the lake
and I sat on the covered porch and did my Bible Study. It was amazing. I was so
blessed to be there. Mr. Pritt joined me and pointed out a swimming creature in
the lake. It went from beautiful to terrifying as that afternoon that “swimming
creature” was an 8ft gator they pulled from the lake! And then they had the
audacity to tell me I would be swimming in there all summer and do life-guard
training that weekend???? UHHH???? SAY WHAAAATTT?????? (really it ended up
being fine, despite my Kansan freak out moment. But I'll explain that later on.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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That afternoon Mrs. Pritt showed me to Cabin 5. I walked in and saw pink letters on every bed. I found mine at the back of the cabin and opened it up to read a letter from none other than a Jamie Simmons. Little did I know the adventures that laid ahead of us. In fact, I barley saw her that Summer.... I didn't really know who she was until that Fall. But again, that I'll explain that later. I soon met Mama D or D'Anna, the girl head counselor that year. I love that girl to pieces. She did a fabulous job. Training week was incredible! There became a bond between us counselors like nothing else. It is a neat phenomenon, when you go to a new place where you no absolutely no one and yet suddenly they are your best friends, your family.<br />
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There are so many memories from that year of camp I could hardly begin to count them all. I do vividly remember practice witnessing with Caleb Jones (we were super hard on each other), and being attacked by Myles with a bucket of slime (that was exciting....) I also remember being asked by Lauren if there were people in Kansas.... KANSAS CITY!!! (only Camp Gilead people will get that....) I wore a different wig for every Wacky Wednesday and collected the beginnings of my I <3 Camp shirts. And yes, I swam in a Floridian Lake. In fact, I passed my waterfront life-guard training successfully! Over the course of the next three years I would swim across the lake and back both width and length. And I never once encountered an alligator. </div>
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I am so thankful for where God has brought me. The ability to be able to be used to further His kingdom and be a part of raising up the next generation of leaders blows my mind daily! This year I will be a part of 8 weeks of camp at 8 different CBM Camps in 5 different States. Camp Gilead wasn't the first camp I worked at but it was monumental. God used that Camp to train me, prepare me, and lead me to where I am today. <span id="goog_1181213726"></span><span id="goog_1181213727"></span><br />
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-28128489661072005102016-05-18T14:36:00.002-05:002016-05-18T14:37:28.094-05:00In View of God's MercyHome. I love the sound of that word. It is amazing what emotions and feelings it can evoke. HOME means I am finally done traveling. HOME means warm and comfy and familiar. HOME means safety and security. HOME means its time to rest and refresh. HOME is just a really good place to be.<br />
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Home is a place but yet its not exactly what we think of in terms of places. You see, over the last year, home has grown and changed. I believe it is because God is working in my heart and life. He wants my home to change from the two-story white house with a red door at the end of the cul-de-sac in Derby Kansas, to a heavenly, eternal place: HIS PRESENCE. What has me pondering home once again? I guess its because I slept in my childhood bed last night, woke up and came down the familiar stairs to the kitchen. I used the old familiar coffee pot and sat down at the good old dining room table next to the french doors that give a magnificent view of the backyard I played in for so many years. Yes, its because I am HOME.<br />
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For any of you who have traveled, who have moved out of the house or out of the state and returned, you know what I am about to explain. No matter how familiar and comfortable home is when you return, the moment you walk out the door and engage in your once life.....well, you realize it's not the same. For some odd reason I thought life would stand still when I left; and when I returned, I expected everyone and everything to be just the way I left them. Honestly, that is pretty selfish and prideful of me. But, it is what I like to think. If your anything like me, the first time it happened I kind of went into shock! lol<br />
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No, people don't stay the same. Cities don't stay the same. Roads, building and businesses don't stay the same. But, our GOD does stay the same. It has gotten easier every time that I come home. I realize that things don't stay the same. In fact, I am usually returning because someone is getting married, graduating, or a newborn has entered the family. For someone as....nostalgic as me, (I guess I really am a little Anne as mom always said) it really is hard to see all the changes and realize you have missed out on so much. It just causes me to ponder and realize some truths from Scripture that God has spoken over me time and time again as I have ventured out into ministry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx0Uwbl_4mW-sdYTrDExM0Sdh0oWxqNC0NknkVIwoojT9bbs254t334HKSbyGw9byZo13GZI9rzHluStl0nwlWlPvsjsusLAW6oHIp5zdM4XZzXPol8sVxY-OzipqfA3CRC3mBvyoGkDv/s1600/IMG_1979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx0Uwbl_4mW-sdYTrDExM0Sdh0oWxqNC0NknkVIwoojT9bbs254t334HKSbyGw9byZo13GZI9rzHluStl0nwlWlPvsjsusLAW6oHIp5zdM4XZzXPol8sVxY-OzipqfA3CRC3mBvyoGkDv/s320/IMG_1979.jpg" width="240" /></a>The first is somewhat of a recurring theme lately, even in my blogs. <b style="font-style: italic;">This world is not my home. </b>Good grief, this phrase has rolled around over and over in my head causing havoc. If this world is not my home, than EVERYTHING changes. If this world is not my home, politics are just politics. If this world is not my home, there is no one place here that I can cling to. If this world is not my home, someone and something changes it should not phase me. If this world is not my home, I should never hesitate to move, or change positions or places. If this world is not my home, than everything I hold to for security, everything I depend on disintegrates. Does this mean I go through life hard and cold, not bonding with anyone, not caring about anything. ABSOLUTELY NOT! It rather means, I go through this world in wonder. It's honestly like a round the world trip with a cause or purpose. I am of course on a mission from my heavenly king. The king of my country has summoned me and commanded me to go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all His commands. I AM HIS. I AM FROM HIS KINGDOM. I SHALL RETURN WHEN HE COMES FOR ME. But for now, I am here. Yes, I am here on a mission but I am prone to wander.... How I pray that the Lord would continue to convict me and bring me back to His side.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>Prone to leave the God I love</b></span></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seal it for Thy courts above" </b></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>-Come Thou Fount</b></span></span></i></span></div>
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The second truth is found in 1 Kings 19. I love this passage! The call of Elisha is so powerful.... The moment Elijah's cloak covered Elisha, he KNEW! He knew he was not just<i> covered</i> he was <i>called</i>. He RAN after Elijah. Elijah asked him, <i>"What have I done to you?"</i> Elisha knew all too well. What a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us. He COVERED US. No, he did not force us to come follow him but when we recognize his covering, accept it and KNOW his MERCY, as Romans says, how can we not RUN after Him. <i>"Therefore, I URGE you, brothers, <b>IN VIEW OF GOD'S MERCY</b>, offer your bodies as a living sacrifices...."</i> All I have I now count as rubbish. Elisha then went back and burned his plow, killed the oxen. He gave up his means of living. He gave up is possessions. He gave up his status. He gave up is livelihood. He gave up his family heritage. He gave up EVERYTHING. <i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and ch</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">ildren, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple." -Luke 14:26</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">It's a difficult thing...sometimes I'm not sure I understand it. But as each year goes by, I realize more and more that I no longer want what I used to want. I no longer want that little white house on a piece of land in the middle of no where. I no longer want a piece of land to pass down from generation to generation. I no longer want that legacy, that homestead. Does it sound nice when I sit down and think about it? Yes, sometimes.... Yet, I know something better. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I want Him above all else. There is something greater in store. This is just the beginning. There is so much more. It </span>isn't easy keeping my focus heaven-bound. But, is is necessary and worth it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">This world is not my home I'm just a-passin' through</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue</span></i></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The angels beckon me from heaven's open door</span></span></i></b></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></i></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I can't feel at home in this world anymore</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-24257930574811988842016-05-10T20:19:00.000-05:002016-05-10T20:19:01.060-05:00No One Cares <div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><i>"Our job is not to fight the world but to win the world."- Pat Marlow</i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;">Have you ever felt paralyzed? Have you felt forced to silence, because those around you honestly don't care what you have to say. So, why should we say anything at all? "Keep silent, you don't want to offend anyone," our society tells us. We all know that it is getting ridiculous and yet it this single conviction spreads pandemonium among us day in and day out. It's not girls who run the world, it is the belief that disagreement means disrespect. The minority has become the majority. Follow me here... listen to what I have to say and take it with a grain of salt. Remember that my blog posts are not the Word of God but the opinions of someone seeking Christ. Take it, examine it, test it against the scriptures. If the Lord uses it, may He be praised. If you find something you believe untrue than throw it out. I am not putting myself up to be God or anything near him. I have studied His Word, I desire to be in His near presence, and I pray that I am like the men of Issachar, who knew the times and knew how to respond. I believe there is a time for everything and season for everything under heaven. There is a time to be silent... and a time to speak. I believe it is now time for me to speak. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;">The real church is starting to go underground. But guess what, that isn't a bad thing. Every time believers have to go underground due to persecution, the church grows. I am not a pessimist. I believe revival is coming. I hear it on the wind. Yes, there is so much uncertainty in this world but MY GOD is MY CERTAINTY. He will never leave me or forsake me and He is coming back for me! He is pruning. He is weeding. Yes, there are so many fakes. Yes, it seems like there are so many doing it wrong, giving us a bad name. But if you focus on Him you begin to see Him at work all around us! GUESS WHAT?!?! OUR GOD IS ON THE MOVE!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>“They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps he has already landed,”</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i> -The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Believe it or not that really isn't why I am writing this post. Really, I just want to set the stage. You see, I have been silent on the political front for too long. I have been praying that God would give me wisdom and discernment on how to say what I feel like needs spoken. First, I am so thankful that so many people care deeply about our country. I love this country and am proud to be an American. Yet, God has been laying upon me this past year that I am first and foremost a child of God. Y'all this world is NOT my home! My home is eternal and heavenly. Guess what else?? America, no matter how great, is NOT God's chosen nation. That would be Israel. Guess who came up with the idea of kings and presidents....that was a worldly, man-made philosophy. Or have you forgotten when the children of Israel asked for a king? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b><i> "...Now appoint a king for us to judge us <u><span style="font-size: large;">like all the nations</span></u>."</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">They wanted a king like OTHER NATIONS. When Samuel, utterly distressed and angry about the situation, went to the Lord, He told him that Israel had rejected God as </span><span style="color: #001320;">their</span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> king. And here we are sitting around stressed out, arguing, battling each other over the next United States President. Yes, I know what you are going to say because I said myself for so many years. "We need and want people in leadership who believe what we believe so we don't have all this SIN filled laws. We don't want legislation that is corrupt." Well, neither do I. But this is the world.... Let the world run itself into the ground. It is eventually going to happen. We can't expect the world to act like us, to legislate like us, to live like us. We are called to be different, not to force everyone else to live like us whether they like it or not. </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">WHAT???? </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know, I'm talking crazy. I warned you in the beginning. Really it doesn't come down to policies, it doesn't come down to non-gender bathrooms, abortion activists or even gay marriage legislation. The fight we are fighting Paul warned us about in Ephesians 6. It is against principalities and the dark, spiritual forces in this world. It is a battle for the soul; a battle for the everlasting and the eternal not this country or its policies or legislation. Hello people! Our focus is all wrong here and Satan is continuing to have a hay day with us in this regard! His tricks are nothing new. From the beginning of time he has been dealing in half truths. Yes, life is precious. Yes, marriage is between one man and one woman. Yes, CHURCH leaders should be faithful to their wives and have control of their family. But this is a lost world we are talking about, not the church. In God's kingdom all these things should be held to and taught. They should be taught in every instance of our lives (Deuteronomy 6). God's kingdom is HIS people. In fact, in scripture it tells us that this world is under the control of Satan. This is his realm. And yet we are in shock because his realm refuses to abide by the law of God. They are not under that law! They are under the former law! They are slaves to sin. Something we have been freed from. Lets bring the fight to where it belongs! Lets grit our teeth, and out on our war paint. Forget about Trump and Hillary, Bernie and Cruze. Let us be overwhelmingly burdened with the souls of the lost. Who cares if they legalized gay marriage? Keep living out a godly marriage and teaching children the truth. Who cares about the bathroom debacle? Keep evangelizing </span></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">every chance you have. Who cares if Trump is the worst republican candidate and the GOP is gone forever? Keep ministering in your local body. Who cares if welfare is in shambles? Keep meeting the needs of those around you. BE THE CHURCH! Stop looking to fix the spiritual issues of this nation through politics. It isn't going to happen. So yes. I will vote in November. But I am voting in a president not a pastor, for a country I am presently living in not for my home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>IN THIS MOMENT, AND EVERY OTHER MOMENT THROUGHOUT MY LIFE I WILL REMEMBER THAT THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME, I AM JUST PASSING THROUGH AND I AM IN A BATTLE, A BATTLE AGAINST THE DARK, SPIRITUAL FORCES IN THIS WORLD. WITH EVERY BREATH I WILL BATTLE FOR THOSE STILL LOST, FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL ENSLAVED. I WILL DO IT TO MY DEATH, WITH CONFIDENCE, BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY WON THE VICTORY.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">John 16:33</span></i></b></span></div>
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-35856682125810854872016-04-05T14:17:00.000-05:002016-04-05T14:17:59.175-05:00Irrational Faith Logic. According to the dictionary, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>R<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">easoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">a system or set of principles underlying the arrangements of elements in a computer or electronic device so as to perform a specified task.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Logic is needed. Something used to determine one's next steps, or to deduce a solution to a problem. There is logic in science, math, in the </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">business and in ones own home. It is safe to say that we would be lost without it. Scripture is full of logic.... and yet Scripture is also full of Irrational Faith. Don't get me wrong. Logic is good and needed. However, if we only lived by that which we can comprehend we wouldn't be living. I know I sound like a silly school girl running on and on about </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">feelings, emotions, heart....</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> actually this is nothing of the sort. It is something a little different. As I have walked with God over these past 18 years, I have noticed that somethings He does just isn't logical....not to my finite mind anyways. If we only view the world through the eyes of logic we miss the wonder. Let me just put it this way.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>If we were all so logical, Peter would have never stepped out of the boat.</i></span></b></span></span></blockquote>
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<i>"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." -Matthew 14:25-28</i><br />
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I don't care who you are, walking on water just isn't logical. It's not reasonable. It's not normal. It doesn't follow any scientific rules. Yet, He did it! Our God created logic. Don't put Him in a box. Wonder at his marvelous works! Stand in awe of his mighty power! And step out of that boat! There are many times in ministry that things aren't logical. However, when God is working, you step out of the boat. Because where God is at work, that is where you want to be. And sometimes it just isn't logical. It wasn't logical for me to leave a good paying job, where I ministered to my coworkers, was moving up the preverbal ladder and enjoyed it! But guess what? It doesn't matter cause when God says "come" you GO!<br />
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Sure, to us seasoned followers of Christ it makes more sense. But logical? No, it can't be logical. Why? Because we can't reason it all out. We, in our finite minds can't understand or hash out all the reasoning of an infinite God.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see."</b></span></span> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">-Martin Luther</b></span></blockquote>
Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Isaiah, Peter, Paul...each had irrational faith. Faith in something they couldn't fully comprehend or see but yet they believed because they knew the one who promised is faithful. Hebrews 11, the hall of faith, tells us of many of these men's journey of faith. <i>"By FAITH Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.... By FAITH Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went...By FAITH Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice....By FAITH Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born....By FAITH Moses...chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin....By FAITH the people passed through the Red Sea on dry land....By FAITH the walls of Jericho fell...." </i><br />
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As I pointed out in my last post, our God is reason, and truth. I am by no means negating the necessity of logic. However, our God is so much more. Just like He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful all at the same time, He is also created order and logic as well as irrational faith, generosity, and love. It doesn't always make sense in this world but I don't care. Because in those moments I again stand in AWE of my amazing Savior. Wonder at His marvelous work. There is a time to study and discover Him and then there is a time to sit in awe and wonder at His feet or to jump out of the boat and walk on water. I guarantee you Peter didn't take the time to calculate the probability of him staying afloat. No, he jumped in. He ran to his Lord. Why? Because his Lord had beckoned him.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on water and came toward Jesus.</span></b><br />
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-53993604301336116822016-04-02T19:03:00.002-05:002016-04-02T19:03:34.760-05:00A Word about the Word<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<b><i>James 3:1 </i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."</i></b></div>
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Be prepared my readers for I am about to go on a tangent. Why? For some reason this topic keeps coming up in my life. I tend to see it everywhere; in the events around me, in my scripture reading. It has to do with <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Word</i>. Not any word. Not the words we speak day in and day out, not these words that your reading on your screen. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Word</i>…<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>"In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him not anything was made that was made." </b></span></blockquote>
Logos. A greek word many of us churchy kids grew up hearing. Reason. Jesus. He was there in the beginning. Yes. But, Oh my friend how there is so much more! Logos: a word, a statement, speech… a <i><b>divine utterance</b></i>. In the beginning was a divine utterance. There was reason. (Let us think about that for a minute. Can we not appreciate REASON in our world today? A world where reason often seems lost.) There was more; there was truth. Remember the account of the garden? God made everything and He made it VERY GOOD. It is hard to imagine as we sit in our broken, fallen world. Oh how I long to see my saviors face and watch as he creates the new heaven and new earth….it will be perfect, just like Him. What a precious thing that is given to us. John 1:14 says that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…."He was/is the divine utterance, He is truth, He is reason.<br />
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Not only did God give us his son in the flesh to come, live, die and rise again, but He gave us His Word in book form. The Bible. King David, many years before Christ was born, told us how precious the Word of God was. He said it was a lamp unto our feet. He said that we should meditate on it, and memorize it. If we do it will keep us from sin and we will bear fruit. Hebrews tells us that His word is sharper than any two edged sword. It cuts through our thoughts and motives. He tells us that His Word is food, a map, and a sword. He tells us that it is hope and a refuge. It is truth.<br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="crossverse" style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Proverbs 30:6</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.</span></i></b></div>
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I am a firstborn…of 6 children. I have a lion personality. An ISTP if that means anything to you. My spiritual gifts are teacher/exhorter and my love language is words of affirmation. It is safe to assume I like to talk and I like telling people what to do. I've pretty much made a living off of it. It is a passion of mine to see young girls taught scripture and equipped to teach others. However, teaching is serious business. In proverbs it talks about the "Fear of the Lord." I know what that is. I have super loving and awesome parents. My dad was my hero. He would take me on dates. He would write me postcards when he was traveling a lot. I never doubted my fathers love for me. However, when I back talked to my mom and I suddenly saw my dad turn towards me and I <i>knew</i> what was coming... that is holy fear right there. The same is true with my heavenly father. I never doubt His love for me. However, when I stand before a group of girls or children ready to teach, that holy fear is there. I pray I never lose it. I believe we should be sober-minded when we teach. Why? James 3:1.<br />
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These are not opinions or frivolous words being thrown around. They are not a Halmark card greeting, they are not a valedictorian speech or even the State of the Union Address. Ya, some of those are important and incredible but this…this is so much more. This is Logos. <i style="font-weight: bold;">THE DIVINE UTTERANCE OF GOD! </i><br />
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So, although my motto is still <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season…" I pray that every teacher stands before the Lord sober-minded. Peter tells to be sober-minded because our enemy is prowling around seeking someone to devour. Don't let it be you or those you are teaching. How can we as humans... failing, sinning, blubbering humans, stand before anyone and preach the Word? KNOW THE WORD. He did not tell us to hide our light under a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">bushel. He tells us that He will be with us. He has given us everything we need to succeed. He dwells within us. I'm not saying we should give up or that we shouldn't have this many teachers. What I am saying is let us take our job seriously. The Lord has allowed us to be apart of His great plan and kingdom. So STUDY to show yourself approved. MEDITATE so that you may not sin against Him. And above all remember….</span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2 Peter 1:20 </span></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.</b></i> </div>
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Let us be STUDENTS of the Word! Don't take things at face value and don't expect anyone else to. Do your research, study, prepare, dive into the Word. There is nothing better, nothing more rewarding the getting to KNOW your Savior. :) Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-22135136505595362972016-03-14T20:55:00.000-05:002016-03-14T20:55:09.949-05:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok so this post is going to be a little sappy… but I can't help it. I was doing some picture inventory tonight and it just brought my attention to something I dearly love: MY FAMILY.<br />
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I have often quoted something my dad told me on my blog but it is so appropriate. "Blood is thicker than water. But, Christ's blood is even thicker, that is why sometimes those who are a part of God's family are tighter to us than our blood family. The STRONGEST bond however, is blood and Christ blood." This is why my family is so tight. We are double blood brothers ^^<br />
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I seriously love these people! Why???? Well take a look….<br />
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These kids make me laugh! Singing, Dancing, Being Silly is the best thing to do with Family. </div>
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My Aunt is AMAZING!!! Seriously, she is a Doula and a Midwife and she is awesome at it!</div>
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These guys right here? They are the best! Always have my back and always make me laugh. </div>
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This guy has a huge heart for the Lord and for those who are lost. In fact, this was one time he took me downtown to go street witnessing! </div>
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Uncle Chad and Kerri….Just look at them. How could you not love them?? All that sass in one picture! ^^</div>
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What Dads do for their little girls birthdays….</div>
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There are some days that aren't as good as others…but we aren't going anywhere cause we are FAMILY! <3</div>
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Teaching younger cousins is a huge deal…like how to fix your hair before a picture :p</div>
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We love each other!</div>
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Great- Grandpa and babies….doesn't your heart just melt?!?</div>
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Late nights and early morning…it doesn't matter, we are there for each other.</div>
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Sister love = A bond like none other</div>
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Fishing trips is just one of many ways we bond.</div>
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Late night Campfires!!</div>
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Discover. Pursue. Question. Learn</div>
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Take every opportunity to teach, love, and invest in each other.</div>
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What a servant! It is wonderful to have family who knows how to do pretty much everything!</div>
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BE SILLY and BE REAL!</div>
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Slow down cause they won't be young for long and milestones happen every day.</div>
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I'm so thankful my family, all of them, are hard workers!</div>
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Babies and Funny faces…I hope they know I love them even when I am not there.</div>
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<3 A man who has been a huge example to us ALL</div>
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GROUP HUGS</div>
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They have always been there for me; supporting me, caring for and loving me. </div>
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Sometimes you just need to be crazy and enjoy being with each other.</div>
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Cat-fishing is a bonding experience!</div>
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Old and Young cherishing moments together.</div>
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Take the opportunity to do something different and exciting that you may never get to do again! Like a Campout!</div>
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Family members from both sides of the family united in Christ and our love for Him and each other!</div>
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My brothers and their heart for God just melts me! Every opportunity taken to witness and care for others!</div>
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Honestly, this isn't even the half of it. And these pictures probably won't mean as much to you as they do to me. One thing I see is I have been extremely blessed by God!! I know, my family dynamic is pretty extraordinary and rare, but look around! God has abundantly blessed you too! We have a lot of faults, we don't always get along and trust me, holidays are hectic! But what keeps us going? What causes us to stay close, and endure anything that comes at us? (and things have come at us) It can all be summed up in one word: CHRIST. Ya'll we serve a mighty big God. He can bring RESTORATION. He brings UNITY. He brings LOVE. He brings FORGIVENESS and MERCY. It is Him in us and working through us. It is nothing on our own. It is not by our power, or because of our family name or where we live. No, it is ALL God. These are my double blood brothers. Yes, Satan tries hard to split us apart but he can't cause "greater is He that is in [us] than he that is in the world." :) </div>
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<b>FAMILY MOMENTS!!</b></div>
Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-70596000879863423582016-02-28T17:36:00.000-06:002016-02-28T17:36:32.474-06:00This is not my Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been convicted to write this post again and again over the last couple months but for some reason have never been able to make myself sit down and write it…. But thats all changing today. So, here it goes….<br />
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I always knew I grew up in a legendary family. Come on, I'm a DAVIS. That word means a lot in Derby, Kansas (and now I have some of you rolling your eyes.) Seriously, everyone seems to know one of my family members. I've always been proud of my heritage. Not only have I looked upon my heritage with the utmost esteem and awe, I have also looked forward to leaving my own legacy. I wanted to be the Jim Elliot, Amy Carmichael, or Hudson Taylor. I wanted to be the Rosa Parks, Martin Luther, or Martin King Jr. I wanted to leave the earth and people be in awe. To leave a mark so big, no one could miss it!<br />
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I haven't ever worried about death. As a believer, obviously I don't really need to. However, I haven't really been looking forward to it, or the Lord's return either. When I did think about it, I didn't want to leave….not yet. I have so much I need to do. I want to keep serving, keep building, keep living. All of this was wrapped up in a godly, christian servanthood package. Be the best servant, the greatest missionary, the Sunday school teacher that motivates the next greatest missionary. There is so much that takes time to build and it needs building and I need to do in the little time that I have….build a house, start a mission, organize this, sustain that….LIFE.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">LIFE the existence of an individual</span></b></blockquote>
Life has a funny way of absorbing us, pulling us in, and tying us down. We find ourselves suddenly content, no more than content, we find ourselves obsessed with LIFE…with existence on this earth. We would sell everything to save it. <i>But this world is not my home. </i><br />
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When I was a little girl my dad had an old red jeep. During the summer the top and sides would come off, me and the boys would pile in and dad would take us for a "jeep ride" down some old dirt roads. Whenever we went out on these grand adventures dad and us kids would sing a song that affectionately became known as the jeep song:<br />
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<i><b>"I'm gonna sing, sing, sing<br />I'm gonna shout, shout, shout<br />I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna shout, Praise the Lord!<br />Heaven's gates are open wide<br /> I'm gonna sit at Jesus' side<br /> I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna shout, Praise the Lord!"</b></i></blockquote>
You know what is often sung with this song? <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home." </i>Something that is captured in these old songs that I fear we often miss is the the desire for Christ's return. I am often so busy building my kingdom here on the earth, that forget I should be looking for Him! Remember the man in Luke 12? The one who was doing well on this earth, so well that he began to build more. More barns and fields to hold his crops. I always thought this man was being smart. But in verse 20 the Lord says to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you…"<br />
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I don't want to be him. I want to Anna and Simeon…. what a beautiful picture they paint. They sought the Lord; they were near His house and His work. They searched His words to know the meaning and when they saw His promises they held onto them…no more than that, they anticipated them! If only to wait is such expectation as Simeon, that when the trump sounds and shout of the archangel is heard, I may gaze upon my Lord's face and say, "…for my eyes have seen your Salvation…."<br />
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It is a constant, every day battle, to keep my focus Heaven-Bound. When I begin to realize, truly realize the brevity of this life it amazes me. More than that, the thought that death is only the beginning for a believe. My favorite verse in Amazing Grace: <b style="font-style: italic;">"When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise then when we've first begun." </b><br />
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I don't know about you, but I don't want to be caught up in ministry, in preparing meals, in providing for others, in teaching and training. I want to be caught up in my God. So much so that I can't see anything but Him, and I long….truly LONG for His return. So, stop. Stop worrying and being caught up in raising a family, paying off the mortgage, finishing that degree, moving up the ladder at work, serving the church…. instead be caught up in your Savior. Wait for Him….Long for Him, as Anna and Simeon did at the temple. Why? Because….<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>This world is not our Home...</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>...We are just passing through</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-24039160939665104372016-02-22T17:49:00.003-06:002016-02-22T17:49:53.085-06:00No Rest for the Wicked<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">"There is no rest for the Wicked, and the Righteous don't need none."</span></b></i></div>
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I know it is kind of a regular conversation in the christian community, but it so often needs addressed in my life! The account of Mary and Martha…. and yes, we all feel like Martha and know we should be a Mary. We hear the story, get convicted, vow to change, do a solid week of devotions and then get caught up in the daily chaos of life…AGAIN. I know, I'm not writing anything new….<br />
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"Be still and know I AM GOD…." over and over again we here about REST. We hear about WAITING. We hear about BEING STILL. I am not one for sitting still!! Can we review the pieces of my childhood that I have outlined in previous posts??? Let's be honest, if you didn't speak up first, wake up the earliest or run the fastest in my family there wouldn't be anything left! You know the phrase, "<i>the early bird gets the worm?</i>" Ya, that is pretty accurate when you grow up with three brothers! Not to mention, its just not in my nature to sit around. My brother Hunter is opposite of me and I have learned so much from him. He is a more relaxed, laid-back kinda guy. So often when we were younger he would go with the flow while I sat on pins and needles! He would often say, "let's just see what happens…." Inside I would scream and say, "NOOOOO!!! WE NEED A PLAN!" (Ok, so sometimes it was verbal.) Needless to say, in my perspective, if you have a vision, or a goal then PURSUE IT! If there is a purpose then let us ACCOMPLISH IT! It is going to be messy, we don't have to know all the answers but LET'S DO IT! I'm one for ACTION. So, sitting….ya, that's not really my thing. Then again, the older I get in my faith the more I realize it is never suppose to be my thing. It is always GOD's thing. It is so much better when it is His.<br />
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But let's get real for a minute… cause the truth is, things need to get done. Deadlines need met, jobs need preformed, dreams need chasing, visions need action, and people need taught to, preached to, counseled and loved. There is a lot that needs done in this world! We can't just sit by and wait for something miraculous….We only have one life on this earth. So many days, so many hours, so many minutes…. We need an urgency. We need a call to action. Ok, I know, it seems like I just wrote the opposite of the first paragraph. The truth is we need both!! Believe it or not, both are found in Scripture. How do we reconcile the Martha/Mary Syndrome??<br />
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I think we need look at it from a Heavenly Perspective. Our God is complete. What do I mean by that? Well, just what I said….He lacks nothing. Every part of His character is completely perfect in every way. How do we reconcile Justice and Mercy? How do we reconcile Judgement and Love? The answer is HIM. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He has perfect judgement and perfect love, all at the same time! He is also knows how to balance perfect rest and perfect action. And just as our judgment and love come from the overflow of Himself in us, so should our rest and our actions.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">"God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">are restless till they find their rest in you."</span></b> </span></blockquote>
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<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">- Augustine</span></span></b></blockquote>
It is through him that we have perfect rest. He tells us to come to Him because his burden is easy and his yoke is light. When our mind is stayed on him, he gives us perfect peace….peace that passes all understanding! We cannot accomplish true rest without him. After all, he ordained it! On the seventh day of creation, God Almighty rested.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px;">"Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big."</span></span> </b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span class="bqQuoteLink" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Theodore Roosevelt</span></b></span></blockquote>
It is also through him that we can accomplish anything. How prideful is it to sit here and think that the kingdom of God is mastered through my own hands?! The truth is he calls us to action, through the power and working of the Holy Spirit. Some of my favorite verses are Romans 12:1-2 which says, <i>"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…." </i>What I love about these verses is it depicts a picture. Throughout Scripture we are given commands to obey. As a believer, we are called to action. However, as Romans and other passages tell us, God did not call us to holiness and then leave us to figure it out on our own! He literally says, "Hey Jacque, I am calling you to be holy just like me. But, I know you can't do it on your own so give me your life, let me indwell you, let me work in and through you." As Eric Ludy put it in his video <i>The Gospel</i>, "God, is really good at being God." Isn't that the truth! When you show love, it's HIS LOVE shown through you. When you share the gospel, it's HIS WORDS spoken through you. When you courageously stand for his name, it's HIS COURAGE swelling up within you. IT IS ALL HIM!<br />
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So what is the secret to actively resting in chaos? I AM.<br />
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<i>"I am the vine; you are the branches….If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is for my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my disciples….You did not choose me, but I choose you and appointed you to go bear fruit…." taken from John 15</i></div>
<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-10312505924774095052016-02-11T12:53:00.000-06:002016-02-11T12:53:43.378-06:00Here, There, and Everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I have started a new chapter in my life. I now live in the hills of Tennessee. Wahoo! It took a while for me to get here…. I am so thankful the Lord will finish the good work He starts in us because it seems to take me a while to get His meaning. My guidance counselor in college told me something profound once that I will never forget. In fact, we only met once. I was only there for one semester…no I did not get kicked out of college….really people. As we sat in his office talking about where the Lord was leading me, (at that point in my life I was so confused! I had gone into ministry, come out angry and hurt and confused, started healing at home and then went to school loving it and hating it because I just wanted to be back in ministry…like I said, I was really confused) anyways…. as we sat in his office talking about where the Lord was leading me, he said, "I have found that the Lord often works in my life in a similar manner." I thought that was odd but now I totally get it! I mean I can tell you exactly how God tends to work in my life. He gives me a desire, or a vision and I get so excited! In my excited and "Lion" like personality, I rush head-long into the project. "Let's do this!" Seriously, there is not time to waste. So, off I run for the open door…..only to run head first into a door. And let me tell you, IT HURTS. So, after yelling at myself, grasping my forehead and possibly cursing under my breath, I finally realize the door is shut. I usually get upset for a while, but eventually I submit. There I am on my knees, telling the Lord I am finally ready and willing to go through any door he opens and tells me to go through, I am even willing to just sit in the hall if that is what He wants……and that stupid door opens.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 26px;">"Repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">-C. S. Lewis</span></div>
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You would think by now I would get it. I would understand. But, nope. For some reason, I struggle to remember my lesson. Then again, I feel like it is like in the "Silver Chair" when Aslan tells Jill that his signs seem clear up on the mountain but they will not always look the way she expected them to look in the real world. And if you know the story they didn't. In fact, it was so difficult for her to find them that she missed three of them! Here on earth it can be hard to understand what is clear and easy to grasp on the mountain top. That is one reason I wanted to go into camping ministry. Camp fosters an environment that allows you to "Be still and know that He is God." I didn't really grow up in camp. My first memory of camp was a family camp that my church went on. For some reason my parents couldn't go but I was able to go late with my Nana. All I really remember is that I came late so I had the top bunk with no rails and the ceiling was slanted. (That is a super amazing situation.) In the middle of the night I ended up rolling off the bed and Mrs. Allen had to come to my rescue. Not really a restful experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXKoKVUPQylY9jvS6a769xMMIHkzFlrAp64X96iVNu7j5FS19LTFQwD1w5wpcRsj2VIQmibgbE9SEuDNzE6VerJKX6_ksJyUDSOZR5f1RD0mxCrD3Mtvlyx4S0O-iEnRT0OaNYrYzGGYL/s1600/pooh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXKoKVUPQylY9jvS6a769xMMIHkzFlrAp64X96iVNu7j5FS19LTFQwD1w5wpcRsj2VIQmibgbE9SEuDNzE6VerJKX6_ksJyUDSOZR5f1RD0mxCrD3Mtvlyx4S0O-iEnRT0OaNYrYzGGYL/s320/pooh.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I was 9 years old my family drug me and all our belongings out into the middle of nowhere. I was so upset about moving. There I laid in a half empty room, on a large new bed that didn't feel like mine. staring up a new ceiling and a bare window next to me that looked out onto an empty and dark field. Hello, Grenola Kansas. There I sat and cried. Little did I know God would use that place to shape and mold me. What an unexpected mile stone in my Christian walk. I was far from my friends and family. We not only moved houses but had to move churches. My best friend and cousin was "too old" for me and I suddenly found myself very alone. It is in our aloneness that God can become our everything. So, at the age of 10, I found myself in the middle of 240 acres of land in no man land of Kansas. There God became so real to me. I love how personal God is. He connects to each of us just the way that fits us. I could hear his voice on the wind. I could feel his embrace in the warm summer breeze. It was like He was there with me. He became not just Yahweh, the Creator of the Universe, but Adoni. He became El-Roi, the God who saw me. He became Shiloh, my peacemaker. He became Jehovah Rahpa, my healing. He became everything to me. My best friend, my brother, my father, my beloved. Let me tell you right now there is nothing greater than our God! And there is no relationship so fulfilling, so amazing, so satisfying as the one we can have with our Savior.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 26px;">"The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed will the ultimate Word from God."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;">-<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Jim Elliot</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2KIABMUxvEz0IaCrgJZlYtmdsj6x6KfgiheT3ULCQ2WPdLP4mmX3WLnwekWWEqiWgnv6kGT6ndHTXiivxNvnY2UXkyxZrS71Rw2LkjwapcZaf19wn4v_cqQcRly4joQ8Xgfs-pH-7sRk/s1600/interns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2KIABMUxvEz0IaCrgJZlYtmdsj6x6KfgiheT3ULCQ2WPdLP4mmX3WLnwekWWEqiWgnv6kGT6ndHTXiivxNvnY2UXkyxZrS71Rw2LkjwapcZaf19wn4v_cqQcRly4joQ8Xgfs-pH-7sRk/s320/interns.jpg" width="320" /></a>Anyhoooo……. I'm really glad God planted that desire of ministry in my life. Little did I know the impact of being able to get away and be still. Even to this day, when I need to get away from life's toils or search through some decisions I like to sneak away to that piece of property and sit. As the little girl who, on family vacation to the Flinstone Park, ran from exhibit to exhibit as fast as her legs could take her, its amazing that He has taught me to sit still! I wouldn't say that I have mastered it yet….baby steps, baby steps. So, what adventure has He brought me into now? Well, I'm not sitting very still that is for sure. But at least I am staying out of trouble. ;) I'm really excited that God has brought me to Tennessee and into the CBM (Children's Bible Ministries) family. Here I am serving the Lord as Intern Coordinator….glorified name for management and delegation of interns extraordinaire. lol<br />
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I LOVE IT! I get to minister to and with a great group of interns. I manage schedules, and media, and blogs…. I get to go recruiting at colleges and visit the interns on rotations. It is actually a lot of fun and a lot of work. It may have taken a while for me to get here. I haven't always listened to God the way I should and there have been times of heartache, trails and pain but through it all He has never left me. He has never forsaken me. He is continuing the work that He began in my life. I AM EXACTLY WHERE I AM SUPPOSE TO BE!<br />
<br />Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-14134153238149842072015-11-08T11:41:00.001-06:002015-11-12T10:19:43.761-06:00This is just not my day<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAMv11wHq89yHRhLJyfj7GdToLpfvF_Vq66S44Ubyl4DwvqEUETeeWRC45lgEujb4h8xDRwvKNkEzEg1MmXPemBocqp1U4BL7nwotM_l5mlb-Y_mQnRDBft7i2nSsUJrlNvNYqVpPPkEA/s640/blogger-image-894146472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAMv11wHq89yHRhLJyfj7GdToLpfvF_Vq66S44Ubyl4DwvqEUETeeWRC45lgEujb4h8xDRwvKNkEzEg1MmXPemBocqp1U4BL7nwotM_l5mlb-Y_mQnRDBft7i2nSsUJrlNvNYqVpPPkEA/s640/blogger-image-894146472.jpg"></a></div><br></div>You ever have one of those days you just wish you could stop, roll back the clock and start all over again? I've had many, and today was one of them. I woke up later than usual. I my must have been tired. I still had plenty of time tho. I tried to fix my hair. I just got it cut and it's adorable but I want to make it look the way the hairdresser styled it (an impossible task I'm positive! It never works so I don't know why I always try) So at least 30 minutes were allotted to try and curl my hair which only mad my hair a crimped, and hairspray full mess. With two strands that just wouldn't curl no matter what I did! Forget this. I still have time to take a shower and fix this. Yes, showers make everything better. Only to get a phone call that mom forgot her purse and I need to drop it off on my way. Snap. I'm already late...... Just hurry. Ok. I feel much better until I look at the clock and I should be leaving in like 4 minutes. I try on my first outfit and I feel hideous. Go to the old classic...I wore that last week. What will people think see me wear the same thing over and over? That's dirty, that's doesn't match. I have no idea what to do. My faces breaking out. I haven't even begin to put makeup on, I don't know what to wear, it's winter and my skin feels so dry. Grrrr.....I literally stand there staring at the pile of clothes on my bed. Ok, ok calm down and just do what needs done. Find an outfit and head to church. You're going to be late. Grab mom's purse and head out the door. Take a deep breathe. Things will be better...maybe. Good grief this is just not my day.<div><br></div><div>The moment those words came out of my mouth I knew it was wrong. Of course it wasn't my day! It wasn't suppose to be my day. And I'm not just saying that cause it's Sunday. No, everyday is the day the Lord has made. It is his. It is his to do with as he pleases. It doesn't matter what I look like, or how I feel. This day isn't about me, it's about Him. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1qBhqVeI9woc3FCQSwBt_6M21RUQlxONsMUDhv_hagwIdh4-vpZ3bOPuFngxclXXnWLPxbiMdmcSPMEvsqEOX2amfDs49bXtKUvR8Cb25LzfMQjHicPMIMB8MmroXo-g75Rrq3r4CnRV/s640/blogger-image--1361070657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1qBhqVeI9woc3FCQSwBt_6M21RUQlxONsMUDhv_hagwIdh4-vpZ3bOPuFngxclXXnWLPxbiMdmcSPMEvsqEOX2amfDs49bXtKUvR8Cb25LzfMQjHicPMIMB8MmroXo-g75Rrq3r4CnRV/s640/blogger-image--1361070657.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>As I stood in my room, trying desperately to decided what to wear, I was reminded of a parable in Matthew. The King's son was getting married! The King in his delight invited all the nob<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">les to attend! However, they each had an excuse for why they couldn't come. Because the nobles refused the king sent his servants out into the streets and invited all they could find. He even provided wedding clothes for each of them! The day of the wedding arrived! As the king walked around he noticed one of the guests didn't have wedding clothes on. He went to him and said, </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless."</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPad-zalFkREGkHrb7PMjIM0vIItHdxdV_d4ySnSZwAYJ8gtkeDzyOhcQTLQJ4S04P07Ymu5HJaPUHW_QhryoDpsc2VwkAvDpQ0NZbe3gNuOPktUDfXh1n16hFcKJJKqruJpkXjZAx7Nk/s640/blogger-image--310161642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPad-zalFkREGkHrb7PMjIM0vIItHdxdV_d4ySnSZwAYJ8gtkeDzyOhcQTLQJ4S04P07Ymu5HJaPUHW_QhryoDpsc2VwkAvDpQ0NZbe3gNuOPktUDfXh1n16hFcKJJKqruJpkXjZAx7Nk/s640/blogger-image--310161642.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>When I was younger there were Sunday mornings I would dress really nice for church, pick out the perfect shoes, put my makeup on and curl my hair. I would then go to my parents room where there was full length mirror and examine myself, turn to my dad and ask him how I looked. His reply was always similar. "Well you look nice but as I always told you it doesn't matter how you look on he outside if your ugly on the inside." My dad lovingly reminded me that my character mattered more than my appearance. It's true! It doesn't matter how I walk into church or anywhere, God knows and sees me. But am I walking before him with a pure heart? Am I wearing the wedding clothes he has provided through his son? Am I exhibiting the fruit of the spirit? </div><div><br></div><div>For today is not my day. This is the day the Lord has made so I will rejoice and be glad in it!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-16598899576676109202015-11-07T15:48:00.000-06:002015-11-07T15:48:49.830-06:00Taste and See<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I realized that this year was my 18th second birthday! I feel like we should celebrate second birthdays more than we do. The moment that I think about how God and I have been walking together for 18years!!! That's just blows my mind! And it makes me think through all those special moments we have shared together. I have tasted and seen the Lord; and my friend, HE IS GOOD. It doesn't mean I have arrived, that I have completely comprehended him. Nothing could be farther from the truth. No, it just causes me to long for him more.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When I was younger we did family devotions in the morning. As most kids, there were mornings it was hard to sit still and listen to a proverb being read. I remember dad talking about Matthew 5 and how we needed to "hunger" after God. He explained it by comparing it to the way the boys loved cereal. He said, "Just like you always want another bowl of cereal you should want more of God's word!" Often after that, dad would hear one of us kids say, "give us another bowl dad." When he had finished reading for that day.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think the more you know Jesus, I mean really KNOW him, the more you want to know him. It's like a potato chip. I know, that's a weird analogy! But think about it!! "You can't have just one." And let's be honest, one moment, one day, one year with the Lord? No way!! Once you have tasted what it's like to be intimately known and know the Lord how can you ever be satisfied until you are in glory with Him FOREVER? I've had a taste of what's it's like to live with the Lord...and let me tell you, it is worth every moment.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The more you know him the less you stress. I know it's kinda weird.... However, one of my coworkers and I were talking the other day about how the older we get in our faith the less we seem to worry or stress over situations. I've thought about that often since then. I honestly think it's because we have seen the Lord work. The world doesn't understand but after walking with God, we have evidence that he works, he heals, he comforts, he provides. God is in </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">control. Relax people! God's got this! Sure, we aren't perfect. There are times we still stress, worry, panic, try and take things into our own control and completely mess it up. But when that terminal illness appears, when love of your life turns out not to be the love of your life, when finances are tight, when life falls apart, we still stand. That's one of the coolest thing about being believer is how everything around us can be a huge battlefield rife with death, pain and scars. Yet, we stand, unharmed. The difference between those who have been walking with him longer is that they have a fiercer battle faces. You know that scene in the movies where the battle is raging in slow motion all around the hero and the hero just stands and calmly walks through it all. The new believer looks a little timid, astonished at the fact that they are unharmed. The older Christian has been through this before. They grit their teeth, pick up the sword and make the most of the moment. Guys, I have seen the Lord work and it's incredible, indescribable, absolutely amazing! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;"><b>I have tasted and seen the Lord and HE IS GOOD!</b></span></div>
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-91436774247035377802015-10-29T22:41:00.000-05:002015-10-30T10:17:30.098-05:00An ImageI have recently gotten back onto social media. Social media is such an amazing tool. Being able to connect with people and share with people in an amazing way. However, I have been struggling with something….I just feel like my social media life can be so fake. Now, I'm not here to rant and rave about how people are "fake" on social media. In fact, I honestly wasn't thinking about others as much as myself. I can be having the worst day, struggling spiritually, having a bad attitude or maybe going through a crisis and yet on Facebook…..<br>
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<i>"I just love the smell of coffee in the morning! #blessed #coffeeadict #thisishowigetthroughtheday" </i></blockquote>
Although, I am not one to vent all my frustrations on social media walls! In fact, I love staying positive and thankful, helping people have a different perspective on their circumstances. Goodness, that's why I started blogging in the first place! How do I fix this conundrum?!? How do I be real and not spilling my emotional guts online.<div><br>
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As I was pondering this dilemma, I wondered what is was that caused me to feel "fake." It's like I make this <i>IMAGE</i> of myself…..<i>IMAGE</i>…. I'm good at creating a good image. Let's be honest….why do you think I was an A+ student in high school? I could figure out what my teacher expected or wanted and I began to create an image….be who they wanted with a little JP twist. I mean after all I'm still an outspoken, headstrong first born….I have an image to uphold people!! Snap. It slipped out again….<br>
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<b>IMAGE</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">- A</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> representation of the external form of.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> From the UrbanDicionary-</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c353c; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">The overall outlook of a place, person, or thing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c353c;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><b><i>likeness. similarity. appearance. </i></b></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><b><i>portrayal. shape. REPRESENTATION</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Exodus 20:4 "Do not make an [image] for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth." </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c353c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">As I began to think about the word </span><i style="line-height: 22px;">IMAGE</i><span style="line-height: 22px;">, I thought of the Israelites in the desert. Today we are not faced with many golden calfs that are pronounced to be the delivers of a great nations. No, our "graven images" are a whole lot different. But, come on, we live in the world of technology!! They have to be 10x cooler. Ya, they involve clever quotes and catch phrases, hashtags, </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">selfies, and yep, you guessed it…FILTERS. All of it adds up to an </span><i style="line-height: 22px;">IMAGE</i><span style="line-height: 22px;">. An </span><i style="line-height: 22px;">IMAGE </i><span style="line-height: 22px;">I am creating to cause you to fall in worship of me….to bring myself glory. </span></span></div>
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<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hebrews 1:3 "</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">And He is the radiance of <b>His glory</b> and the <b>exact representation</b> of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high"</span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #23221f; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">The older I get the more apparent it becomes that life is NOT about me. It does not revolve around me, it will keep going without me, it is not </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">dependent</span></span><span style="color: #23221f; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> upon me. No, this world was created by God and held together by </span></span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">His mighty hand. Everything in it, including me, was created for HIS GLORY….not mine.</span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Psalms 115:1 "Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth."</i></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br></i></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Social media is just a new package to an old problem. instead of sticks and stones its cameras and filters and clever quotes. Instead of animal portraits its selflies. God created each of these as tools to be used to bring us good and him glory and yet as Romans clearly tells us,<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> "</i></span></span></span></span><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Claiming to be wise, they became fools </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for </span></span><b style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">images</b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles</span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">…</span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">.</span></span></span></i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and <b>served something created instead of the Creator,</b> who is praised forever. Amen.</i></span></span><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">" </span></span></span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br></span></span></span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nqiGzl68HWD1QYaxHGSaSLSXY6qUvwLmoJorZk8iyQNPMlfBGNuXp_6mSpCEO8b4qxh2IGBkodOxVLA8EByhIY26J5FpVt_qSubgGl6DHwMz-0YWZgC1YK-zqQbw2gyjbnJnc57d4kxk/s640/blogger-image-124190281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nqiGzl68HWD1QYaxHGSaSLSXY6qUvwLmoJorZk8iyQNPMlfBGNuXp_6mSpCEO8b4qxh2IGBkodOxVLA8EByhIY26J5FpVt_qSubgGl6DHwMz-0YWZgC1YK-zqQbw2gyjbnJnc57d4kxk/s640/blogger-image-124190281.jpg"></a></div></div><br></i></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #23221f; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Although I am so thankful for the tool of social media I must recognize I am </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">susceptible</span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> to breaking the 2nd </span></span><span style="line-height: 21px;">commandment</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">. I never realized idolatry was such an issue in my life. Sure, pride, selfishness, laziness.... I get those. But idolatry?!? However, here I am carefully carving myself a graven image in the form of filters and hashtags. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">The sad thing is it's a image that can't hear, can't see, can't meet your deepest needs. It's an image on the screen. How I long to serve a living God!</span></span></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><i><br></i></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">He is the image of the invisible God...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Be imitators of God</span></div>
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</div>Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-57502132120574181372015-08-29T14:50:00.000-05:002015-09-01T13:57:45.800-05:00Spirit Led or Coffee Fed I have been told that the first step in resolving a problem is to admit that you have a problem. I HAVE A PROBLEM!! I might need professional help. Is there a Coffee Anonymous?! I might need to check into the program if it exists. I honestly didn't think my coffee drinking was that big of a problem until recently….You know I used to hate coffee. Oh, Ms. Marilyn what have you done to me?! Good Ol' Ms. Marilyn! She's been in the ministry for over 50yrs. I met her my first year as a camp counselor. The spunky, drive a golf-cart crazy and would probably run over you, super particular about folding towels, Ms. Marilyn. I want to be her when I grow up. Anyways, it was Ms. Marilyn's coffee that began my journey to becoming an addict.... Ok maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit. Nontheless, that summer was very memorable. A milestone in my life. It was that summer that God began to develop a love and longing for ministry in my life; especially camp ministry. It was also the summer I began to like country music and coffee. And as I say, you can't go wrong with the three C's: Camp, Coffee and Country music! Ok I'm getting really off topic....<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyRgEBj6V7BQrRHRPbPpqLRH8EGt5WLToTBSdf6tOZkyOEdPqpLCT8_NrW2s77MdgAJHJZDQDQ_hUkc6YJ8nIthdZhA23ZmHUUqkPD9lhFO7NcrCTNJH0tufljVoaYZl7QMiEczJ6KlPd/s640/blogger-image--1639548428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyRgEBj6V7BQrRHRPbPpqLRH8EGt5WLToTBSdf6tOZkyOEdPqpLCT8_NrW2s77MdgAJHJZDQDQ_hUkc6YJ8nIthdZhA23ZmHUUqkPD9lhFO7NcrCTNJH0tufljVoaYZl7QMiEczJ6KlPd/s640/blogger-image--1639548428.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div>Coffee, the elixir of life. There is nothing like waking up to a the smell of fresh brew of coffee. The mornings my little brother would peek through my door and come in bearing a warm cup of joe, those were the best! Walking through the cafeteria door earlier in the morning, getting ready for the breakfast rush, was all worth it when I saw Bob's coffee pot full of steaming coffee. </div><div><br></div><div>Yep, coffee has become a idle in my life. And I thinks about time to do something about it. Not that I think coffee is sinful or that I will never drink another cup.... Actually I'm drinking some right now.... But maybe I should make sure it's not taking over my life. </div><div><br></div><div><p id="qt_592245" class="qt-fnt-ml" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>I can't imagine a day without coffee. I can't imagine! -Howard Schultz</b></span></p></div><div>What has caused me to think this way? To realize I have a problem. Well.... When your coworker makes the comment, "Have you seen yourself before you've had your coffee in the morning? 'Cause I have." Makes me wonder if God is the one changing and controlling my attitude or am I allowing coffee to do that? </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zOTLhMEYUI7bSrUs6PvPw9eSby4k-rimb1_EQjMyA0wJ6snt1x-0mLhk2gp7VVxKeshSLcSabcClaSfqIzO8jO4YqVj_WUrEXv2TTyqS-ezIb-oiYBEz3eejp7WvXk1NKyBkshCnGAv0/s640/blogger-image--1810584770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zOTLhMEYUI7bSrUs6PvPw9eSby4k-rimb1_EQjMyA0wJ6snt1x-0mLhk2gp7VVxKeshSLcSabcClaSfqIzO8jO4YqVj_WUrEXv2TTyqS-ezIb-oiYBEz3eejp7WvXk1NKyBkshCnGAv0/s640/blogger-image--1810584770.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Maybe I should also consider wearing more makeup to work..... I mean I work with plumbers so I really didn't think too much of it until one morning I came in, clocked in, drug myself to the coffee pot and heard "Woah! Looks like we have Mr. Hyde this morning instead of Dr. Jekyll. Drink that coffee girl! We need Dr. Jekyll!" I mean I hadn't got a lot of sleep the night before but I didn't think I looked that bad!! </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>I like coffee because it gives me the illusion that I might be awake. -Lewis Black</b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br></span></span></div><div>Ya'll when your coworkers, who are plumbers, start commenting on your dependence upon coffee something is wrong. So again, I think I need a coffee annoymous.... maybe I should start one. I still love coffee. Fact is I'll wake up tomorrow (Lord willing) and as I walk into the breakdown, will go straight to the coffee pot and pour myself a cup of coffee. However, I do need to be more attentive to my attitude and making sure it's being controlled by the spirit rather than coffee or anything else.</div>Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-26092337545313706982015-08-24T20:56:00.000-05:002015-08-24T20:56:08.079-05:00A Broken Vessel<span style="font-family: inherit;">"I AM NOT OK." Four little words whispered to myself in a moment all to myself. A phrase that is followed by buckets of tears. As I have briefly mentioned before, I hate vulnerability. It feels like weakness, like a problem, like ungratefulness. To be vulnerable means I didn't have enough strength. I didn't rely on the Lord enough. I am being negative and ungrateful. A couple months ago my sister and I took the emotion quiz. I thought it odd that I turned out to be joy. But now I see it. Maybe that's why the movie hit so close to home for me. I am Joy. I must make things work. I fix problems, I find the silver lining. In the midst of this crazy world there is a reason to be happy, and happy we must be. We can do this! Find the positive. Keep going. Be Happy. So, I give myself my pep talk day in, day out. "I am fine. God's got this. He's in control. I am fine. I am fine. I am fine." But, the truth is I'm not. I'm falling apart. I'm battered, I'm bruised, I'm BROKEN… I am so broken…..</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“I see the fragmented beauty of grace in their lives despite continued struggles. Beautiful mosaics formed by broken pieces.” </i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Honest to goodness, I hate it! I hate falling apart. I hate not having it together and I hate being broken. I keep trying to fix it, to hold it together but I'm failing miserably. So, here I sit, completely vulnerable. My broken pieces lying all around me…. I am not ok any longer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;"><i>"You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Ps-51-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">You are not pleased with a burnt offering. </span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="text Ps-51-17" id="en-HCSB-14709" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. </span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Ps-51-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart." -Psalms 52:16-17</span></i></span></b></span></blockquote>
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So I cry… a lot. I hurt, and I wish I could make it all work. I wish I could fix it. To erase the brokenness and put my life in a nice little box with a ribbon and bow. That my life would somehow be perfect. Then I realize it's too late…. So I cry some more.<br />
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I pray that God will hold me. That God will fix it. That somehow out of the mess I made he will still use me…. And in the midst of pondering how great my God is I realize just how broken I really am…. so I cry even more. Oh how I've messed it up! How I have ruined everything! What on earth am I suppose to do now…. All I can think is "I'm broken. I'm so broken." What kind of vessel is a broken one??<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” </span></span></i></b></div>
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It was the broken vessel which Gideon was commanded to use. It was the broken vessel that made the Midinites realize they were surrounded by the Lord. It was the broken vessel that God used to give the Israelites the victory. Through the broken vessel, the light shone. Oh Lord, please shine through this broken vessel. Use every hurt, and every bruise. I pray every broken piece that has fallen to the ground will let your light shine even greater. <b>Oh Lord, use this broken vessel. Route the enemy, rally the army and bring victory. </b><br />
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-47577616585875830922015-08-23T15:50:00.000-05:002015-08-23T15:50:11.014-05:00A Love Story<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"He's my darling.... 50yrs. We've been together 50 years September 3rd."</span></b><br />
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My electronic trance was interrupted by the sweet little old voice next to me. I couldn't help but smile as she nodded towards her husband hobbling toward us. I congratulated her on her 50th anniversary. But I was not to go back to my phone screen... "The secret is forgiveness." Again I smiled as I listen to the weathered voice give me advice for a long and happy marraige. "Forgive all the time, everything. For everyone."<br />
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"Not an easy thing to do" I replied. "No it's not always easy. But you get so...blessed when you do." She smiled at me with her brightly painted lips. "We've been through some hard times." She glanced at her beloved sitting next to her. "The thing that got us through was the Royals." She chuckled. " no matter the struggle, the health issues, we could sit down, forget all of them and watch the game. We would always end up smiling." The couple looked at eachother with love in their eyes. I couldn't help but smile and chuckle to myself. How often do you get randomly caught up in a conversation like this waiting on your papa's eye appointment to end?</div>
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Of course you know what I had to ask next, "So, how did you meet?" She gladly told me the short tale. "Well he was in the service and I was in the service and we were at the bar and he asked me to dance. Everyone moved out of the way and watched us. Me in my high heels. We danced the boogie woogie." She giggled and nugged her hubby. "You two must have been some dancers." I responded. "Oh yes. We love to dance!" The next few minutes were spent talking about various things that had been occurring in their life. She doted on her husband. Telling him he was handsome and that he had a handsome heart. To which he replied, "They don't take pictures of hearts." lol </div>
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She said he was a hard worker and he was really smart. The thing I noticed most is the admiration and love in her eyes. To her, he was everything. He was the most handsome, the smartest, the sweetest, the most hard working man alive and above all he was hers. Now that's a love story if I ever saw one! ☺️❤️</div>
Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772805287695602932.post-23244536734029268962015-08-19T22:08:00.001-05:002015-08-19T22:08:25.926-05:00Jesus Holds Me<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh how I love rainy, dreary days. Sometimes it feels like God decides to cry with us. That is one thing I love about weather and especially the bi-polar weather of Kansas. I feel like it's a way God speaks to us, let us know he is here with us...Emmanuel. How strange it is that a simply rainstorm can make us feel like God is mourning with us. Funny how a slight warm breeze can feel like he is embracing me, or the sun peeking through the clouds can begin to brighten the day. The endless clouds rolling on the blue Kansan sky shows his infinity, creativity, and consistency. Yes, I love how just through the weather he reminds me he is here, he is with me. He is Emmanuel- God with us. He is El Roi- The God who sees me. He is my God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So often in this world we forget that he is here among us. Here to walk with us, to help us, to hold us. Scripture often talks about the faith of a child. There is something special about it. Not fearing the future, not worrying about the past but just resting in the knowledge that God's got this. How easy it was to believe that back before the cares of this world began to choke me. What a vivid picture is given in Matthew. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>"Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-23562U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23562U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>and the seduction of wealth<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-23562V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23562V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." -Matthew 13:22</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Isn't that how life is? The older we get the more cares and worries begin to choke us making us unfruitful. When all the while he is right here, ready to put all the pieces back together. I never realized how much I long to be held, to have someone hold all my falling pieces together. How easy it is to seek that from those around me only to be brutally disappointed to find they, in their humanness can't. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">When I was a little girl it was so much easier to remember my first love. Easier to trust his plan. Easier to rest in his arms. Why is it that the older we get the cares of this world weigh us down? Why is it so hard to cast them aside to run the race? I miss my childlike faith. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">My aunt has many stories of he babysitting adventures with me and my siblings. One of my favorites is when I was 2. I don't remember it, but I've heard the story enough that it feels like I do. My Aunt was watching me one evening, I had already been put to bed. Suddenly my Aunt heard me cry out. She rushed in and wrapped me up in her arms, stroked my head and tried to soothe my fears. She thought she had succeeded in calming me down when I looked up at her and said, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><b><i>"Jesus holds me." </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;">Jesus holds me. He holds me when I'm broken. He holds me when I'm afraid. He holds me when I feel like I'm falling apart. He holds me. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>"Jesus hold my hand. Jesus hold my heart. Jesus hold my life, and Jesus hold me."</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;">How did I forget that he holds me. That he is the only one who can hold all the pieces together. How comforting it is to rest in his arms. How on earth could I have forgotten what it was like to be held by him? All the while seeking and desiring it from another means, a poor imitation of the real deal. When everything and everyone else fails to hold my brokenness together, <b>Jesus holds me. </b></span></div>
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Paige Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035825944149235604noreply@blogger.com1