tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4703249907868744792024-02-19T12:19:03.634+02:00EverEmmanuelBobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-72706723412796066572015-04-04T09:33:00.000+02:002015-04-04T09:38:05.655+02:00Never Ending War<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Battles all around;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of shame and pain and lust.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Choking the life out of our flawed perception of Freedom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clouding our vision as we seek to find the truth.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The familiar voice taunts us, telling us half truths and whole lies;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Undermining the depravity of our sin and then shaming us when we give in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Broken lives, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Broken hearts all around.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the life of the Never Ending War.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our future seems hopeless. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are the fallen ones, the Fatherless, the lost generation giving in to our flesh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clinging to the promises of a world that cannot sustain.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our thirsty hearts call out for a Savior. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The One who is imprinted into our very DNA. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the depths of our souls we can feel the void. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are lost; And we cannot see.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From somewhere comes the whisper;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The precious, sweet voice that calls us by name. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as we open our hearts; we can feel His presence;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A soothing balm to a tired, weary soul. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He speaks of love, a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nd of mercy and hope. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The truth, in it's power, shatters the lies. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our hearts are filled with the sweet drenching of Grace.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our world shifts as our chains fall free.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are but the same weak soldiers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yet w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e are clothed in His righteousness; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">W</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e carry His sword;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We wear His shield. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The words that once crippled us are now meaningless;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we have tasted the reality of the mercy-filled truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the King.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Alpha and Omega. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The One who died to pay our debt. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are clay to His gentle hands;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is molding us into who we were born to be. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are truly His and His alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our identity remodeled and our souls set free.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He has ended the Never Ending War. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cross at Calvary declares, "It is Done!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But by Grace and Grace alone;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The battle rages on; but the War is won.</span><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4TdF6VMWf3gdVtzfrhmIQL8NZabmZgklddckcBYo03SpyLtEUbGMuGYgFt9jsJhJoXSgT5NlgFgPnijsztxJaJtguJgvU-Rh1cbLoX5BKDPpdRriWJjSyHrZE6AhAMpPcxx_cD52wpPF/s1600/Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4TdF6VMWf3gdVtzfrhmIQL8NZabmZgklddckcBYo03SpyLtEUbGMuGYgFt9jsJhJoXSgT5NlgFgPnijsztxJaJtguJgvU-Rh1cbLoX5BKDPpdRriWJjSyHrZE6AhAMpPcxx_cD52wpPF/s1600/Cross.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-82917894697552727072013-12-28T11:40:00.001+02:002013-12-28T11:52:42.281+02:00Soulmate...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAFly5cvMzUv13qs8hWPKi8H-DoKYhuduVm2Y-RPdzUF2gzPQk97Kb-AVCAl5Q-Er7BTvD9J3pr_sesBwChBTNFJXSDAfbrPKG_hl_DY4TOnMNXyvdCa9Q7tij5R0Ue9_IfZEkndrk-b3/s1600/HeartGod.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAFly5cvMzUv13qs8hWPKi8H-DoKYhuduVm2Y-RPdzUF2gzPQk97Kb-AVCAl5Q-Er7BTvD9J3pr_sesBwChBTNFJXSDAfbrPKG_hl_DY4TOnMNXyvdCa9Q7tij5R0Ue9_IfZEkndrk-b3/s1600/HeartGod.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart beats for my Soulmate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is water for my thirsty soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where I once was broken and abandoned,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is making me undeniably whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am His, for now and always.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the beginning, until no end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the One I will live for;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Soulmate, my dearest friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no man or significant other,</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who can take His place in my life's stride.</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is God who stands alongside me always.</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First and foremost, I will be His Bride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will give Him all that I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will serve Him with all of my heart. </span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no power on earth or below,</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That from Him, will tear me apart. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I hope and long to serve a husband.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Godly man at whose side I will stand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pray that his Soulmate, too, is Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before God, we will kneel hand in hand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In every chapter of my life's story,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God will play the main character's role.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is my King, Friend, Dad and Saviour,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With His blood, He has won my soul.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Robyn Moll</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">28 December 2013</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Image source, Google Images, with thanks!)</span></em></div>
Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-22343455822667975002013-09-12T13:16:00.000+02:002013-09-12T13:23:33.824+02:00God's Glory in Earthworms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3nkyzHTArYk2urdwK_PmUZI-5v8UuIf8MyJ8CuQJOFoiYqGXXqzgGHvZSte1vTXUeNp6XZSQBRL1TfzhPWriDyajeY498ekBxPxbnRZHmxum4PC0me6O7viOEUtp7oGnB4xDZeKDLg1b/s1600/worm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3nkyzHTArYk2urdwK_PmUZI-5v8UuIf8MyJ8CuQJOFoiYqGXXqzgGHvZSte1vTXUeNp6XZSQBRL1TfzhPWriDyajeY498ekBxPxbnRZHmxum4PC0me6O7viOEUtp7oGnB4xDZeKDLg1b/s320/worm.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">It’s that awful time of year again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">When the coffee comes out, the books get spread all over the house and
sleep becomes an optional extra - if there’s time after cramming hundreds of
pages of “Cardiology.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Yip. It’s finals time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Regardless of what September holds for you, I think this time of year is
tough on everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Some people are working hard leading up to exams (whilst us
un-conforming vet students are writing them) and the majority of others are
bogged down with work leading to year ends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">It’s in this space that we tend to forget about the more important
things in life… like earthworms. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Yes… earthworms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">I don’t spend a lot of time outside anymore (unless you consider the
practicals involving chasing down cows) and I certainly haven’t picked up a
spade and got my hands dirty with gardening in many, many years. But I am
blessed to live in a home that has a beautiful, multi-floral garden that’s
lovingly tended to by my mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">A garden which, if I’m honest, I take far too little time to appreciate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">But, as I’m sure you may know, procrastination often leads you into long
forsaken places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">So today, in one of my not so productive moments, I decided to forsake
the books and take upon wandering around the house in search of food and
company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">These ventures lead me outside into the fresh spring air, where I
discovered my mother digging up the soil and gardening in anticipation of
summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">As I watched her, I noticed the soil moving, alive with many little
earthworms, hard at work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">If you consider the biology of earthworms, it may be a little crude to
consider that their entire purpose is to eat rubbish and, well, recycle the
nutrients back into the soil. They effectively poop back what the plants and
insects that habituate the ground so desperately need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">They work tirelessly, unseen, all the while adding to the beautiful,
magnificent creation that shines the glory of our magnificent God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">An ecosystem is dependent on these (and other similar) creatures, and
everything from food, wildlife and pretty gardens are somehow linked back to a
little worm that seems, well, insignificant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">The last time I considered an earthworm, was probably ten years ago, but
since then, these little guys have been continuously hard at work, making my
garden beautiful, whilst I was too oblivious and busy to notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">It’s amazing and mind boggling to consider how perfectly God created our
planet, and how stupidly I’ve chosen to ignore it in the midst of my stress and
trials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">So here’s to remind you of a few things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Whatever you’re
currently facing, God hasn’t stopped working around you to make things
beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Take some time to
appreciate the blessings you have. One minute, to consider an earthworm, has
served to remind me of my ultimate purpose to glorify God that goes way beyond
writing exams or work. And that’s a pretty de-stressing thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">No job or
situation, no matter how sh%*tty, is ever too insignificant to be used to
glorify God. Just ask the earthworm, whose only purpose is to “poop for God”. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">God’s beauty and your purpose are far bigger than the studying, job and
trials that you may face. You just need to take the time to notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Hope this made you smile!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> (Image source, with thanks: </span></div>
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http://www.biodiversitygardening.com/earthworms.html)</div>
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Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-61686533353261038492013-08-29T09:44:00.000+02:002013-08-29T09:44:06.801+02:00Why I won't marry my soulmate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEOn_eEbffPG61lwUo6BqkZYl547kgZ_B-5TIJkYe1YqL0qFIFmCY-5A7Ewon0TwvYfdwtKesK-hCB-Snh9MwBBT7eOg6qyamfM0NftHBPhJXO5BacjVN16beuJILm5rxyB8DgzdmmfBi/s1600/Wedding_rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" osa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEOn_eEbffPG61lwUo6BqkZYl547kgZ_B-5TIJkYe1YqL0qFIFmCY-5A7Ewon0TwvYfdwtKesK-hCB-Snh9MwBBT7eOg6qyamfM0NftHBPhJXO5BacjVN16beuJILm5rxyB8DgzdmmfBi/s320/Wedding_rings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">If there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I am a totally hopeless romantic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I love “rom-coms” and have spent far too many hours observing other people’s love stories over and over again. It draws me in and reminds me of some of the deep desires I carry in my own heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Hopes for my future, and dreams about what one day may be…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So it may come as a surprise to you to learn that I have no intentions of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“marrying my soul-mate”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A little contradictory, I know, but nonetheless… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Despite every rom-com I’ve eagerly absorbed and all the gooshy, sloppy romance that has been imprinted on my DNA; I am in no way planning on donning a white dress, carrying a pretty bunch of flowers and walking down the aisle to join my kindred soul in matrimony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Don’t get me wrong, I do have every desire to marry (and do all that romantic wedding stuff); I just know that my groom won’t be my soul-mate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">To me, a soul-mate is someone that you deeply desire despite never having met; someone that has been imprinted into your very being; someone for whom you yearn for with the very fibres of your being. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A soul-mate should be that person who you know that you could never live without, because your very existence is interwoven with theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Someone far greater than any mortal man or woman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Someone like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In my relationship with God, I have come to understand that He chose to love me, to never hurt me, to never forsake me, to never use or abuse me, to raise me up and call me His, even when I was totally undeserving of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That love; that unending, all-forsaking, despite-everything kind of love; is one I know I’d never be able to live without. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, I would love to marry a man one day, and I would love to serve that man just as God calls wives to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And I’m hoping that if I ever have that privilege, I would choose someone who I know I will love with everlasting, passionate love. I hope to find a husband who will bring as much joy and happiness into my life as I will theirs and who I can love until <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“death do us part.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">But I won’t spend any amount of time looking for “the one” or put the undue responsibility on any human to “complete me.” If I get married, in all my efforts to live out a Godly marriage, I hope to remember that I am first and foremost created for my real soul-mate, and not my spouse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">My soul-mate will always be someone greater than any future husband and while I may be His daughter and His bride, He is not a mortal man that I desire to marry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I may be single now, but my soul-mate has already called me His… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(image source, with thanks: Google Images)</span></span></o:p></span></div>
Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-71201304634007175132013-06-12T15:19:00.004+02:002013-06-12T15:19:46.549+02:00A "Daddy" Kind of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWQHvrVe_EexOSQl6FlOVrzvBwYIgfRPfyS3C7PJMnEjxVnppIC7mw8N_lPrhuXWE5ZmrOu_8lHSgJvL_56h3xydQM4G8q_2cUi9JzjaXFawt-SQ4DZlBi_39V0BKwinbyxokHZ36L2PC/s1600/Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWQHvrVe_EexOSQl6FlOVrzvBwYIgfRPfyS3C7PJMnEjxVnppIC7mw8N_lPrhuXWE5ZmrOu_8lHSgJvL_56h3xydQM4G8q_2cUi9JzjaXFawt-SQ4DZlBi_39V0BKwinbyxokHZ36L2PC/s1600/Dad.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find it really easy to see God as a just ruler and judge. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can relate to Him as an almighty God but I often struggle to see Him as a loving dad too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this space it is hard for me to share the pain and anger or fear I may be feeling with Him, as I tend to believe that He would condemn me for my apparent lack of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But recently, God has been teaching me about His loving heart, and His really big shoulders that can carry my burdens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently shared a conversation with someone I care a lot about.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone who I know to be struggling and could really use God's help.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was just sharing her life with me, but her words were heavy with a deep set pain and a fear-filled uncertainty for the future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something about her really struck me, and I longed for God to reach down and help her, but just at that moment, He didn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I was left feeling pretty angry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Angry at God who had promised to provide for His children. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Angry that He did not seem to want to help this lady despite knowing that He had every power and ability to do just that.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why didn't He just help her and take away her pain?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why didn't He fix the injustice of this world?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I –<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obviously</i>- knew beyond doubt what she needed. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I –<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of course</i>- had the most perfect plan. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I –<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with all my authority and wisdom-</i> had decided that now was the time to see change in this life and I was angry at God who didn’t seem to be going along with my perfect plan…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there I was, fuming and angry, knowing full well that God would not care to engage me on this anger. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean, to serve Him I need to be totally accepting that He has a plan and never feel anything but awe and reverence to that, right? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So He wouldn’t get it, and if I took this to Him He would condemn and judge me for my lack of trust and obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s amazing what we can convince ourselves of if we simply start trusting our own assumptions instead of taking the risk of finding out the truth…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spent two days walking around being grumpy and angry, ignoring God in much the same way as a sulking child would ignore their parent.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My intentions, I suppose, were honourable or at least understandable, but I had carried them out in a rather ridiculous assumption that somehow by avoiding God my self-righteousness made me right. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But after a while my resolve ran out…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was standing in the shower when the contempt that I had bottled up finally spewed out in an angry torrent of hastened prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told God about this lady, and I told Him how mad I was, and I told Him about how I felt that He had let her down. I called on His grace and mercy and reminded Him (because, you know, maybe He had forgotten??) that He was meant to care for the lost and to reach out to the oppressed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spoke the last sentence and waited, listening through the silence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the while, I am sure He was there, patiently listening, waiting for me to get it all out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What happened next may have be</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">en my own mind. Or it may have been the prompting of the Holy Spirit within me. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either way, a thought gently crossed my mind. And it came as what His response could have been…</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Robs, you have loved this person and have shared her struggle for eight months.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> But I have known every moment of her life, and have been with her through every pain.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I love her, and I have got this…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigh… How do you argue with that? </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt chastized. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether or not this was Him, I knew it was right and I shouldn’t have come to this as I should trust and not question and….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…. “and right now you are hurt, and you can tell me. Because I love you, and I am your Daddy.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever seen a kid that bashes their head, and runs up to Daddy crying because it hurts? </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever seen that Dad wrapping his kid up in his arms and holding him close till the pain went away?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s my dad. That’s Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m sure He will help this special lady when it is the right time. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope He does. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But He doesn’t have to work in my time to be a compassionate and Holy and incredibly caring father. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And maybe it’s ok for us to be hurt and angry and yell and scream and have a little tantrum. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And maybe, just maybe, He will react by wrapping us in His arms and making our “ouchies” that much easier to bare. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-68225542673159873402013-05-25T14:36:00.000+02:002013-05-25T14:36:02.125+02:00FREE AS A PHOENIX<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-uIycC0KvYb-F4PGgiVmBuNDlg3q4cFmEijOeuOgQzGKAph5ZP59WScTVftP1Nk2J_umQKgJJE43ZWEBJ6YH1oT745syBCXq7JpB5AhdF8g0deAiac1LOfk1wZoSXS01FS9_0SLI7use/s1600/Phoenix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-uIycC0KvYb-F4PGgiVmBuNDlg3q4cFmEijOeuOgQzGKAph5ZP59WScTVftP1Nk2J_umQKgJJE43ZWEBJ6YH1oT745syBCXq7JpB5AhdF8g0deAiac1LOfk1wZoSXS01FS9_0SLI7use/s400/Phoenix.jpg" width="400" ya="true" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mythical creatures have always fascinated me.<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not so much short little people with hairy feet- but rather griffins, dragons and the beasts of legends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The human imagination is a very powerful and amazing thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the stories that fascinated me most was that of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As this beautiful bird would came to the end of its life, it would spontaneously rupture into flames and burn to a crisp, leaving nothing but a black, meaningless pile of ash as the only evidence of its existence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This legend, however, was not a story of death but rather of new beginnings and new life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The phoenix would arise from the ash as a more beautiful, more graceful, more magnificent version of itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not much literature, however, dedicates itself to the understanding of how the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city> felt about its rather unusual life progression. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not been able to find any Oprah interview on the “end of life experience” of being burned to an untimely death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I doubt the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city> (had it existed) would have been given an opportunity to write the bestselling autobiography, “Crispier than Chargrilled Chicken: The story of surviving the flames.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were to speculate, I doubt the phoenix’s fiery rebirth into a new life was a very pleasant experience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in my spiritual walk, I can relate to the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year was probably one of the most challenging years of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Through the combination of subtle struggles and the megaphones of major life changes, I was left metaphorically watching my life burn into a pile of ash.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had fought so long to hold onto the things that I was idolising and the moment I finally decided to surrender them to God, all hope was seemingly lost as my idols slipped through my fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back I was pretty resentful to God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn’t understand that He was with me through it all and I was struggling to trust that He had a plan. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He didn’t care, and my meaningless purpose seemed to be summed up in ashes that were my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least that’s what I thought…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, like the phoenix, something beautiful and majestic did come out of my personal pile of ash. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As my blistering skin and my burnt out heart began to heal, I slowly realised how much God had used the pain for my good, just as He had promised to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The choice to surrender began in a fire, but out of the pain of that situation, God has called me onto an incredible adventure and journey that has led me to a deeper understanding of grace, love and community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While it wasn’t a sudden change, I now feel the wonderful joy of soaring on the thermals of His deep love and blessings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before the flames, I didn’t really realise how much I was missing but He has used this time to show me, raising me as a more beautiful, more magnificent and more trusting daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are enduring the flames that seem like the end of a life, I can’t really say anything that will take away the pain of fire and heat against your skin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can’t even tell you that you will come out as the same person or that parts of you won’t be scathed in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> can tell you is that Gods love, like the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city></st1:place>, is immortal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you let Him, He can raise a more beautiful you from your meaningless pile of ash.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Trusting Him, you can be free to fly like the Phoenix.</span></div>
Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-12956341106352760942013-04-27T12:08:00.000+02:002013-04-27T12:08:02.604+02:00I Will Wait...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0fktQcS6Z5WpzhUOtLj9eTHw4YQtln68Cwmx2-YFURAhFev6buiMQQew_aWGKxP9KF0w49xqVjygH3Hs5KY4bi-EwM49jON-DLxazLPQxkJyK5l1qG_ls_YfBUrmOrqTUL-0QyGEJgZg/s1600/Holding+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0fktQcS6Z5WpzhUOtLj9eTHw4YQtln68Cwmx2-YFURAhFev6buiMQQew_aWGKxP9KF0w49xqVjygH3Hs5KY4bi-EwM49jON-DLxazLPQxkJyK5l1qG_ls_YfBUrmOrqTUL-0QyGEJgZg/s400/Holding+hands.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always wanted to be a wife and a mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember the times when I used to play "Wedding" at my grandmother's house, donning a fly netting as a veil and prancing up and down the aisle that was her driveway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up until August last year, I thought I had it all figured out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew what the dress would look like and what the wedding colours would be and even who (I thought) would be standing next to me at the altar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted this fairytale more than I wanted a relationship with God and so, in love, I think He did what needed to happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my own good He took my relationship away from me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was my idol, and since the end of that phase of my life, God has been teaching me to challenge my idols and rely on Him, allowing me to learn what it means to be completely fulfilled and at peace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has not been an easy road, but it has been a good one...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below is a poem that I wrote as my "declaration of obedience" at a recent Easter Camp, and it is something that I have to remind myself of day after day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are struggling with singleness (as I often do), know that God is walking it with you and that He loves you and desires the best for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope that sharing this helps you as it has helped me...</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I WILL WAIT...</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know not your name,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nor the colour of your hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know your likes, your dislikes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or the things about which you care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But tonight I spoke to God,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I said a prayer for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I asked Him to give you strength and courage,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And faith in the things that He says are true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If, and when, we are connected,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It will be only by God's ultimate plan and design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I give my hopes and dreams to Him,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for our two paths to become one line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I want you to know that I am considering you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with any man I may court now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will respect him and treat him as a brother,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">knowing that unless he is you, to someone else he may one day vow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will use my singleness to glorify God,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And rely on Him in all that I do;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allowing Him to ever mould me into the one that you need and deserve. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I give myself to Him, in waiting for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day, if we are connected;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be ready to be at your side;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having spent this time learning grace, dignity and a serving heart; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that in God our relationship may abide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I vow to reserve, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart and my body for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For as I stand at our future wedding,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ's bride will become yours too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know not whether you even exist,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but as I long and hope that you do;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please note that you will have to ask God for my heart,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For in Him, I shall wait for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Robyn Moll</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(31 March 2013)</span></em></div>
Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-47103980795962525452013-03-17T11:47:00.001+02:002013-03-17T11:47:46.041+02:00You know you are at OP when..<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God has given me many blessings in life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Big, small, sometimes confusing but nevertheless abundant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like studying to become a veterinarian...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as with most blessings, this one has come with intense hardships that have left myself (like many other vets and vet students before me) with a rather quirky sense of humour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So this is for anyone that has ever called "Die Republiek van Onderstepoort" (i.e. vet school) home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are or have known a vet student/vet nurse/vet, I hope this will make you smile...</span></div>
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<u><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YOU KNOW YOU ARE AT OP WHEN:</span></strong></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) The average age of the student population is 24. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) "Class" involves taking semen from an 800kg bull that is intent on killing you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) You know all too well what you use a long rubber glove for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Pigs, cows, sheep, beagles and horses are part of the scenery on your walk to class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) All your friends are graduating and getting married while you still have 4 more years of varsity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) You've lost count of the number of times people have asked you, "So... Why didn't you become a REAL doctor?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7) You own a shirt mocking said people. :P </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8) Dodging cow and horse patties is a normal activity whilst walking to class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) Someone is walking a llama and no one finds that strange. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10) ICU shifts involve taking a dog out to poop...at 1am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11) "Drugs" is a module and not a bad lifestyle choice..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12) You take modules that have course codes that begin in 5, 6 and 7.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13) Peak hour traffick involves fork haylifts, unicycles and stampeding cows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14) To be called Prof, you would have to be at least 37 years old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15) You are expected to be use the terms "ejaculation", "vagina" and "coitus" in </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16) You spent 3rd year in constant fear of being locked in the "fridge".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">17) Your neighbours are cows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">18) Party themes include "G.I. Joes and Barbie Hoes"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19) Guys come to the party dressed up as the barbie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20) Girls rugby is a sport that gets more spectators than a normal match.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">21) Walking into a class and looking for the male students is like an akward, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">real live game of "Where's Wally?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22) You see someone singing "Staying Alive" to keep time whilst giving CPR.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">23) The smell of formalin, 3 day old rumen contents and recently deceased animals no longer brings tears to your eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">24) There are sign up sheets in class to be models for a nude calender... for you AND your pet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">25) You can say "Truncus Vagosympathicus et Accesorius" without a flinch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">26) You have mastered the lethal art of drawing blood from a cat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">27) You have spent seasons of your life not eating custard, porridge, and cottage cheese thanks to references from path class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">28)You can name the nerves in your friday night KFC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">29) Dinner time conversation includes the topics of rectal palpation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">30) You know the going ons of res and campus through the very informative "LooNews"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">31) You think that green overalls and gumboots is a good fashion choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">32)Your friends and family seem to have an overwhelming urge to share with you their concern for "Fluffy's" abnormal excreta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">33) You responded to those concerns by asking them to describe the colour, smell and consistency of said excreta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">34) Sleep is an optional extra- if you have the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">35) This post has left you with a familiar smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to all the friends, colleagues and family that have shared the unique adventure that is Vet School with me. Here's to three more years of blood, sweat, tears and other unmentionable body fluids...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ps. never shake a vets hand... I know where it has been...</span>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-34212184072232263642012-10-04T12:24:00.000+02:002012-10-04T12:24:01.404+02:00For an incredibly special and brave family...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>*I would like to dedicate this post to the Weinerlein family that is fighting a hard and difficult battle. </em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>It may be a tad random and I do not understand the weight of your battle nor attempt to trivialise it in any way but my heart was with you as I wrote this and I wanted to dedicate this post to you.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>I hope that you can find the purpose in your battle and that you may enjoy the humour in mine...*</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone who has ever received some form of education for any length of time will know the awful time of having to write the dreaded end of year exams. Now for us strange folk that hail from "Die Republiek van Onderstepoort"(i.e. vet school), end of year exams occur from early September till mid-October. I don't know if this is as a result of them drilling us so hard through the year that they know we would never really make it till December (certainly feels that way!) or if it is because our lecturers enjoy having their own lives and own vet practices to spend their year end focussing on, but either way this system has left me bogged down under the books for the past 4 weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I have spent much of that time getting way too little sleep, eating far too much junk food and living in a room that is spectacularly clean due to the very real fact that scrubbing floors becomes a very useful form of procrastination when the books start to call. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been an incredibly up and down time for me emotionally too, as this years exams have been the hardest set of exams I have ever written. The length of time over which we write (6 weeks in total), combined with the sheer volume of work that each of my 10 modules present has transformed the past 4 weeks of my life into a series of desperate cramming/praying sessions as I am forced to face what feels to be an enormous sense of inadequacy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As every exam approaches and as every exam is written and "conquered" (with varying prospects of actually passing it) I have been forced to rely more and more not on my own sense of ability but rather on the infinite power that I can draw from God. It is absolutely amazing how much our faith can be increased in our times of desperation and apparant helplessness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the concept of writing an exam to some may not seem all that challenging or warranting of the desperate scenario in which I have just described... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I, however, would challenge those individuals to be the one sitting the oral exam in which an external examiner is asking you to name (in latin) all the plant species that serve as differential diagnostic causes of blindness in cattle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And of course, it is in that precise moment that your mind, after days of non-stop studying, chooses to conjure nothing more than pretty images of butterflies and fairies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We each have our own battles (and I am really not undermining yours), but this is one of my particular brands...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But nevertheless, God is faithful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have made it out of those said exams, in a cold sweat and a cloak of relief, with some prospect of passing and I have made it out of others with a certainty of failing and the hope of a supplementary exam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the while though, I know that God remains faithfull and near my side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life can be full of tough questions that feel like they have no answers and it can be full of the challenges in life that feel that can't be faced alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't tell you why that person you love got sick. I can't tell my friends in vet school why their best may turn out to not be good enough to get them through after 4 years and more money than they had to give to this dream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I can't tell you why my beautiful twelve and ten year old cousins (despite knowing that God loves them more than my human mind can comprehend) could be left with a disease that prevents them from being able to move their joints without being in almost unbearable pain. Nor why their parents should stand by, helpless, when I'm sure they would gladly carry the infliction on themselves if it meant that it could spare their children.. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I can tell you is that these situations don't feel like they are meant to be endured alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because they aren't. And because you arent..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regardless of your battle, God is with you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he loves you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, sitting in a room with 2 lecturers and a series of impossible questions may seem scary. Untill I remember that there is someone else in that room who loves me enough to make it be ok, regardless of the outcome...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The same someone who sits in the hospital room with you. The same someone who is right next to you, listening to you desperately pray out the big questions in life, the ones that seem to have no answer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I have been stressed for an exam, I take the time afterwards to go and walk a dog. Utterly random, I know, but as I walk this cute little beagle and as I watch her sniff out all the smells and interact with the variety of animals we have on campus, I always feel that God opens my eyes to the bigger purpose in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, I know that God has called me to be a steward of the things of this life that reflect His glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And maybe He wants me to do that through being a vet. Maybe He doesn't. But despite the outcome of the exam or the battle, He is with me and He has a purpose. And watching the peace of animals helps me to see that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has a purpose for your life. He is with you through your struggles. And regarldess of the outcome of each little batlle, take the time to remind yourself of that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much love...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robyn</span></div>
Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-86086496291187822572012-06-23T14:48:00.000+02:002012-06-23T14:48:07.635+02:00God is way more awesome than two letters next to my name.<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On most days I love what I do. I find it challenging, fascinating, rewarding and at times outright wacky. How many other professionals out there can say that they have been bitten, peed on, licked, been covered in fur and –my personal favourite- stood arm deep up a cow, “all in a days work”. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It saddens me, however, to see the minority of individuals within the medical fields that can destroy the integrity of the profession through their arrogant, “I am God”, attitudes. It seems that making life and death decisions somehow makes people feel in control of life and death and the result is a professional that feeds off the supposed status and power of being a “doctor”. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Now it’s hard to imagine why this same attitude is prevalent amongst some vets – I mean, standing ankle deep in stressed-out-cow poop with an appropriately poop-covered tail swishing back and forth into your face was never my idea of the God of the universe- but unfortunately I have also witnessed this undeserving attitude amongst some veterinarians too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So this post is written to my future clients, with a request to never accept this attitude from me. Here’s why…</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In many ways pop culture highlights the status of “doctor”. It is seen often in popular series and movies. Somehow having the letters “Dr.” next to your name makes you super-cool and awesome (and promiscuous if we’re going with the television series). Often medical practitioners are portrayed as super-humans, making life and death decisions in seconds and having no space for the seemingly meaningless field of faith. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Everything backed by science and no such thing as a miracle”. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yes, life and death decisions are made daily by these people, but I will tell you first hand that “Doctor” does not equal “God”. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will one day make decisions that help the body’s own mechanisms to heal itself, but I cannot in my own strength heal the body. I make the decision of euthanasia when the probability of life is too low or too painful, but I can never breathe life into any creature. I can never will a heart that is dead to start beating and I can never guarantee life or death. I can artificially deposit sperm into the uterus of a cow at precisely the right time to match ovulation but I cannot make that beautiful miracle of two fused cells multiply and grow into what will be the fluffy, wobbly bundle of a calf 9 months later. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And the same applies to death, no matter how textbook a routine I perform, no matter what drugs and treatments I may give your pet, when God says that it is time, I am completely powerless to stop it.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">With all the science and knowledge that I will have spent 7 years shoving into my head, I will come out surprisingly not in control.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">…And to be honest, I’m seriously grateful for that. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Without the pressure and weight of those decisions I can know that I will do all I can to help and assist in the healing of my patients. I can share the miracles with you when they come and I can carry the pain with you over your losses, not as someone superior to you but rather as someone like you but uniquely gifted to help your pet. I can bare the brunt of your misguided blame in the pain of your loss knowing that at the end of the day, it was never my decision to make.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yes I will fail, and at times my failure will be costly. Yes, at times I will make the decision to end the life of those in pain. But when I close my eyes at night I will be at peace knowing that the life that exists within my patient is a gift that only God, and not I, can give and maintain. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">One day, as a vet, and even now to an extent; I am a steward of the creatures of this earth. I believe that that God created all the majestic animals around us as a unique and special gift to humankind. I see the dog that breathes hot smelly breath into your face first thing in the morning, and I see the cat that coldly acknowledges you from the end of the bed. I see the working German Shepherds that keep our streets safe by sniffing out inaccessible scents of parcels that were destined into the illegal drug trade. I see guide dogs guiding their blind companions safely on their way. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I know that as I see people eating that cheeseburger, wearing those leather shoes, adding milk to their coffee, I will have helped in ensuring those animals’ safety so that the gifts that they give to humans will be safe for human consumption. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">When God commanded Adam to be master over the creatures of the earth, I believe it was a gift for human use that came with the responsibility of protection and care. It is this ideal that drives my love of this profession. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As I will one day be a care-giving steward of one of Gods amazing gifts, how could I ever feel entitled or empowered by it? It is a calling on my life, and not something that makes me equal to God himself.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So maybe one day I will become a vet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I walk across the stage at my graduation, and when I walk into my office everyday of my career, I will know that I am certainly not God. I am but a humble servant, gifted with knowledge and opportunity to serve you and help your pet in the hopes that through it, you may look to see the miracle of the animals around you that God has blessed you with. Maybe when I “save” your pet, you will be able to recognise and be grateful for God using me and in those moments when I help you let your pet go, you will know that I am your sister in Him, simply allowing Him to take back the gift that He once gave. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">If you are grateful to me one day for treating your pet, rather just appreciate His glory in choosing to use someone like me to steward his creatures, cause everyday I know that I will be too.</span><br />
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<img height="424" id="il_fi" src="http://www.testq.com/nfs/testq/attachment_images/0000/5163/vet.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="283" /></div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-59974500322340431252012-05-13T15:09:00.000+02:002012-05-13T15:09:57.732+02:00Life is a Miracle...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WOW. What an incredible suprise of a day did I have a few days ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let me give you a bit of an update...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a vet student, I love being around animals. It feels almost necessary for me to surround myself with a variety of furry creatures. I love keeping pets and caring for my animals as a way of "fuzz therapy"- reminding myself of the innocent passion that made me fall in love with this profession. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So what better way to do that than with my two furry guinea-pig roommates, Scotch and Soda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I aquired Scotch in October last year. A sweet little guinea pig with long hair and a fiesty personality. He was a blessing to have around but the more I researched caring for guinea pigs the more apparant it became that guinea pigs are social creatures that cherish furry company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So on the 1st of April I purchased Soda-an adorable bedheaded guinea pig to befriend Scotch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Scotch and Soda... my guinea pig collection was complete, or so I thought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a vet student, I am obviously well versed in the reproductive realities of keeping male and female animals together. But as a responsible pet owner and vet student, I had Scotch go in for the big-pig-snip well before I bought Soda. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In my mind, there was no way that I wanted to allow my pets to even have the possibility of breeding. And knowing the various medical risks of reproduction, I believed that I had done everything necessary to ensure no future guinea-piglets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So yesterday morning, I was sitting chatting with my mom and we had the guinea pigs cuddling with us. She was holding Soda. My mom turned to me and remarked,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Is your guinea pig not getting a little fat?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, I had noticed Soda's belly expanding somewhat, but I was feeding my pigs very good quality feed and Soda seemed to have quite an appetite, often bullying Scotch for his food. I had been feeding them more than the recommended amount of food to ensure that both pigs got enough, so it seemed logical that she was getting a bit tubby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Robs," my mom continued, "her spine and ribs are prominent so she cant be fat, but her belly is very expanded. Are you sure she isn't pregnant??"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Of course I was sure, I had done everything to prevent that...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> But as my mom said the words, it was like my eyes had been opened. My guinea pig was definately pear shaped, a classical sign for pregnancy in guinea pigs. Frantically I consulted a vet who confirmed the diagnosis- not only was she most likely pregnant, but she was likely very far along. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How could this have happened, and how did I, as the responsible vet student, not pick up on the obvious?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The gestation period in pigs is 2 months, and having had her for only one month, it became obvious that she had probably been doing the hanky-panky at the pet shop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Knowing the risks for a young guinea pig to go through pregnancy it came as a shock and huge concern for me. I hadn't prepared for this and it seemed a bit of a disaster to my "perfect plan". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dystocia, death in labour, rejecting the babies, having to wean and rehome up to 6 baby guinea pigs- my concerns were mounting and I felt a dreaded guilt at not realising the situation sooner to provide better care for this poor little creature. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5 years ago I wouldve been over the moon with excitement for this new adventure, but 3.5 years of vet school has hardened me to the harsh realities of life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that evening I was sitting in my lounge cuddling my very fat pig. I had my hand under her enormous belly, gently stroking her up her back while she "giggled" in only the way that guinea pigs can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I felt it... the strong kick of life coming from within Soda's belly. And then another, and then another. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was the most magical feeling in the world... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Feeling the absolutely amazing miracle that is life, the cynisism within me slowly melted away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So yes, sometimes I plan things supposedly perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With my knowledge and experience, I can ensure that things won't go unexpectedly- no suprises and no room for mistakes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But God has other plans- and at the end of the day the things that are least expected are often the greatest of miracles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, the risks are still very much there, but at the end of the day I am certain that whatever happens, God is still in control. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This little adventure has turned into a beautiful reminder from God that despite the cynicism that my studying and that the stress of this world may throw at me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...Life is truly a miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I wrote this post about two weeks ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On monday evening I was sitting in my res room cramming some work for a test I was due to write when Soda started making some soft guinea pig noises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I went to check on her all was well and so I got back to the books. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About fifteen minutes later Soda was still quielty "talking" and when I went to open up her house to give her a cuddle I was encountered with 2 little adorable, fluffy baby guinea pigs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mom and baby pigs were both fine, my fears had been relieved and the beautiful little creatures have wormed their way into my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God truly is amazing and I am grateful for His work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">To some these creatures seem small and insignificant, but when I watch them, running around and eating and playing, it is just a small reminder to take a moment to appreciate God's signature that is beautifully written in the world around us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">Robyn </span></span></div>
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</div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-63443610136043123612011-07-14T16:32:00.000+02:002011-07-14T16:32:46.931+02:00A Time for Testimony.<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was priviledged enough to grow up in a Christian home, having parents with a deep passion for the Lord. Thanks to them, I came to know about the Lord at a very young age, and chose to accept Jesus into my life even before the age of 7.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>In my early years, I truly had a solid understanding of what it means to have "faith like a child. At the time it seemed unfathomable and completely unnatural to not believe in the Lord. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today, being older, I can understand that my undying faith and trust at that stage may have largely been based on the fact that I was young and innocent. But my memory of how I looked completely lovingly and trustingly at my "Daddy" is something that I can only aspire to do now. The faith that I had as a child is the closest thing that I can imagine to what it will be like in heaven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I owe a lot to my parents. Without the solid grounding in faith that they gave me I would not have the faith I have today and I will always be grateful for this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Up until the time I was 11, my family and I were attending a church nearby to where we stay. Unfortunately, as in many churches, political issues forced the church to split. There were a lot of political issues and the church eventually split. As a family, we went with the minister to a church that he planted but the split had. This caused some pain amongst the congregation and despite remaining spiritual, my family eventually stopped attending church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At this stage I was 13 and although being Christian and having immense faith as a child, I did not really have a mature understanding of what it means to live out a life as a Christian. I went to church simply because my family had and I followed them and stopped attending too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Through my teenage years, we faced some really rough times as a family. It was a time when I was learning who I was and growing up. I made my own fair share or bad decisions including a bad relationship </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In truth, I had turned my back on God. Its hard to explain what I was feeling spiritually at that point but a part of me wrongly believed that God - , knowing all my thoughts and choices - could not possibly want or love me. I truly feel that the lack of a relationship with God in those years had put a moderate sized hole into my heart that I was unsuccessfully trying to fill with external things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When I got out of my long term relationship at the time, I was quite bitter and miserable. It had been a bad breakup and it forced me to confront this hole that I was feeling. I could not explain it... I had everything that seemed important: - a family that, despite having gone through rough times, loved me immensely; good grades that would allow me to continue in my dream to be a vet and good friends. I still somehow felt like I was missing something..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was 18 when I hit that realisation, and made the choice to try find religion in my life. I was not sure at the time if looking for God would help, but I felt I needed to try anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I attended church with a friend of mine and they were playing Casting Crowns' "Who am I?". As I was listening to the words I prayed that if God- who knew every bad choice and every bad thought, and who I could offer nothing to- wanted me as I was, that He would come into my life and fill the emptiness that I felt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I didn't hear any heavenly voice booming from the sky. No white doves or ringing bells. What I receive was an overwhelming sense of God's love and acceptance. It was my own "Prodigal Son" -or daughter in my case- story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can't tell you that since then, I've had unwavering faith or that the world always makes sense and I have every answer. I can't tell you that since then my spiritual walk has been free from bumps or rocks. What I can tell you is that I know with all my heart that nomatter how far off His path I may feel or how many mistakes I feel that I have made, God truly is waiting right behind me with arms wide open. He's simply waiting for me to turn around and let Him welcome you home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I pray that in sharing this story, God can use me for His good. If not, then I know I can use it to simply remind myself of His constant, undying love for me and for all of His children. </span><br />
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</div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-20379785151289169232011-07-13T13:13:00.000+02:002011-07-13T13:13:31.993+02:00The choice: Spitting or Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oEb1mZ0Z0mgVp0D9Yj2qImtClPZiFyPaiizIu_eVmIJuOXKKZ5RKtSnezb-k9Bn6LKvW0g9m9c53BYcHH-JoZR3LsksAojOg1VMV-0l_gWiMMwg9x83ar9Dgw2SbiEA9gTUVlppCmzvV/s1600/good-thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oEb1mZ0Z0mgVp0D9Yj2qImtClPZiFyPaiizIu_eVmIJuOXKKZ5RKtSnezb-k9Bn6LKvW0g9m9c53BYcHH-JoZR3LsksAojOg1VMV-0l_gWiMMwg9x83ar9Dgw2SbiEA9gTUVlppCmzvV/s400/good-thief.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;">(Image: </span><a href="http://a-voice-in-wilderness.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html"><span style="color: black;">http://a-voice-in-wilderness.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its truly amazing what procrastination can do... At this point I'm meant to be writing up a 15 page seminar on the "Trends in wool sheep production in South Africa." So naturally instead of writing it I logged onto Youtube and downloaded one of my favourite Christian songs that I haven't heard in a while and it struck a thought that I felt the need to write about.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The song is Don Fransisco's "Too small a price"...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I awoke to hear the jailor, turn the key and push the door</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">'Get out here!' he shouted, but i stayed there on the floor</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Frozen in the terror that rose and filled my brain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For I knew what they intended and I could not face the pain..."</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This idea seems a little too real to me... I haven't actually been locked up in jail, but sometimes in life we do have to face terrifying situations. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sometimes we mess up and facing the consequences seems hard or terrifying. The song is based from the perspective of the thief that was crucified next to Jesus. In the song, the thief starts off mocking Jesus, before coming to a heavenly realisation that there is something far greater than what meets the eye...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The crowd that stood around His cross made jokes about His name <br />
They shouted, laughed and spat on Him so I joined in the game <br />
I said, ‘Hey! If you're the King why don't you get us down from here? <br />
The taunt just sounded hollow and it echoed in my ears <br />
<br />
'Cause He looked at me with eyes that seemed to reach into my heart <br />
They shone a light on all my lies and tore my life apart <br />
There was more that lay behind His gaze than simply blood and clay <br />
But knowing was too much for me; I had to look away" </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes God calls us out on what we've done wrong. Maybe we've followed the crowd, mocking the Saviour. Maybe we've done things wrong enough to warrant us being punished by our government, as that thief had. Or maybe it seems smaller than that, simply turning our backs on God...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whats so amazing about this song for me is Jesus' reaction to the thief's cry of repentance...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"... And in spite of all that watched us there, it couldn't be denied <br />
Because His righteousness and innocence were shining bright and strong <br />
I just couldn't keep my silence and that cursing still went on <br />
<br />
**(Talking to the accusing thief on Jesus' other side)**</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I cried out, ‘Don't you fear the wrath of God even at the end? <br />
You'll curse us both into the pit - is that what you intend? <br />
We're only getting what we're due - we've sinned our whole lives long <br />
But don't you talk to Him that way - He's done nothing wrong!' <br />
<br />
Then with all my courage, in a voice not quite my own <br />
I asked Him ‘Lord, remember me when you sit upon Your throne' <br />
He answered me and, even then, His love was undisguised <br />
He said ‘Before the sun has set today, you'll be with Me in Paradise' "</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"> <br />
This passage from the song gives me goosebumps. There is so many elements to it. On one hand, you have the love that Jesus shows to someone who has been accused and hated (probably deserving so) by all his peers...</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then you have Jesus, who even having endured so much pain, to be physically worn down and broken, would use His breath to ask for forgiveness of mankind and to offer words of forgiveness and comfort to someone who literally 30 seconds before had joined in with the mockers and accusers of Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm sure that if I had gone through everything that Jesus had that day, I wouldn't feel like forgiving those who wrongly put me there, and least of all I wouldn't exert physical effort to offer comfort to someone who seemingly didnt really deserve it. It really strikes me that even in the last agonising hours of His life, Jesus cared more for His people than He did for Himself or His own comfort... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Makes you wonder what that thief must have felt. It's assumed he spent his life not as a follower of religion or of Jesus. He obviously had a brush with the law that got him crucified that day. He knew what was going to happen that day. Maybe he'd spent his time on earth living a not-so-righteous life. I don't know what life he lived, maybe he slept around, lied, cheated. Or maybe he was a good citizen that happened to be in the wrong place and wrong time and tempted to do a wrong thing that got him crucified. But whatever life he lived, it didnt chenge Jesus' reaction to a plea. In fact, it doesn't really seem important to Jesus at all. I can only imagine how afraid and hopeless the thief felt on that day. Hanging on his cross, he got to share his darkest time with Jesus right at His side... Its a little reminder that we get to as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As a broken and despaired human, Jesus chose to reach into that man's situation and give him an out, give him hope and a promise for paradise. If I was that man, having nothing- no hope and about to die- if nothing else the hope that Jesus' words would have given me would allow me to die in peace. I know that if as a human He chose to do that, in spirit Jesus will most certainly do the same for us when we face our darkest hours, be they in our lives or when we are about to die...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">All we have to do, is decide which thief we'd like to be. Continue spitting and mocking, or simply ask for the thing that Jesus is longing to give us...</span></div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-21690555080756622572011-07-10T11:23:00.008+02:002011-07-10T11:34:51.295+02:00A New-Found Respect for My Shepherd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdEcYm8y-n1lQHemfFSRw_nfo8BViXf3AH1VI2DZ8WUNrtrYaGKF3aGt4vi-9-otQ3_87I-E9K6JvsoVySj6YXuh5AALX_In-Teo2fNxbolALkEAvBHCba0dA9vmd86ll7qHEyHyl_bO2/s1600/sheepfixd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdEcYm8y-n1lQHemfFSRw_nfo8BViXf3AH1VI2DZ8WUNrtrYaGKF3aGt4vi-9-otQ3_87I-E9K6JvsoVySj6YXuh5AALX_In-Teo2fNxbolALkEAvBHCba0dA9vmd86ll7qHEyHyl_bO2/s400/sheepfixd.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>(</u></span><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/University_Extension/sheep-and-lambing-management/index.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://ocw.usu.edu/University_Extension/sheep-and-lambing-management/index.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>)</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Its been an incredible year. A new adventure that had both challenges of mind, body and faith. Like all new adventures, this year has come with pain and loss as well as with new beginnings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Its 7 months into the year and I have found inspiration for my second blogpost for 2011. (I know it has been a very long time but I really felt the need to focus on myself and settle down into my new life at Onderstepoort- Veterinary Teaching Institute- as I begin the next phase of my journey to accomplish my dream)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So here we are, in July, and it was in my midyear exams that I found some inspiration for this post...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As part of my syllabus this year I have had to do a module that involves the handling, behaviour and welfare of production animals.. (sheep, pigs, goats and cattle---basically just dealing with everyday aspects and routine procedures that occur on farms).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> ***quite ironic that in my 3 years of veterinary study I'm far closer to being a farmer than an everyday vet but hey, we all must start somewhere. :)*** </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> As our midyear exam for this module we were required to undergo our first ever oral and practical exam. These exams occured over three days with one species per day (cattle, pigs and sheep respectively). The nerves amongst my years block in res were certainly tangible as these much dreaded exams drew nearer and nearer...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We were all rather terrified at the prospect of having to take our exams orally, especially when combined with the handling and the performance of potentially painful procedures on rather temperamental and untame animals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thankfully though, our fears were largely unwarranted, with the lecturers being very understanding and helpful and the animals largely cooperative--the pigs literally slept through my exam---that is, except for the sheep...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When you imagine a sheep I'm sure a cute little image of little-bo-peep's-pet jumping over a fence as you drift into sleep pops into mind but in reality sheep are flighty, instinct-driven, rather smelly and fairly strong, 50kg (about 110lbs) animals that have little trust of humans...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Upon arriving at my sheep exam, I was asked to discuss and illustrate the basic restraining of a sheep, in theory a very simple task. I managed to procure my sheep, much to its disgust, and restrain it fairly well (restraining it involves taking hold of the animal above its leg and pulling it backwards following which you place your hand around its muzzle and the other hand in its flank). But by this stage the sheep was no longer interested in doing anything I wanted it to do. So when I was asked to restrain the animal as if it were a goat, (which involves backing it into a corner) I performed the textbook "reverse" method... but to no avail. The incredibly stubborn sheep had made up its mind not to listen to me, refusing to budge from its position and even laying down right in front of my lecturer! Eventually I ran out of time in my exam and a disgruntled, out of breath me had to admit defeat to a sheep...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Which brings me to my point...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Whilst battling the sheep I was faced with the image of a "shepherd" attempting to attend to a sheep that was too stubborn to listen. I guarantee that I had the best interests of the sheep in mind and I knew exactly the path that would be easiest and most helpful to the sheep but the poor animal stubbornly refused to trust me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I know that in my relationship with the Lord I am very often like that sheep. God knows what is right for me, He knows what path I should take that would be for my best interest but sometimes I just refuse to move and stubbornly resist change. So often the path that God wants for me will take me away from the "other sheep" and often, like a sheep, I fight what He wants from me and instead try to follow the flock. Sometimes its fear of what I don't know (I'm sure the sheep was most afraid that if she'd listened to me she may have had some nasty needle stuck into her), and sometimes, I'm afraid, it's mistrust of the sheperd. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As a vet (or a shepherd), I need to know what the animals need. I need to know what is in their best interest. If a painful procedure is required, I have to be able to justify it as being in the best interest of the animal...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Isn't it the same with God? He knows what is right for us, He knows it may be hard or painful, but the path that He wants us to take is entirely for our own good and His glory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Knowing how helpful and nice it would have been for both the sheep and I had the sheep cooperated, it makes me really want to try harder to listen to Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I passed my exams in that module. At the time it was a tad humbling and humiliating, but I can appreciate the lesson it brought me. And now, when my saviour is described as a shepherd, I can smile and have a new found respect for Him. </span>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-62020422954751141132011-01-08T16:13:00.000+02:002011-01-08T16:13:49.978+02:00Thanks for 2010!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have really been struggling to find a topic for a post that would be both meaningful and true to what I believe... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But it occured to me that there are times when, as a Christian, you do not need extravagant words or brilliant gestures to bring Him glory...sometimes you just need to turn around and say "thanks".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that is exactly what I'd like to do through this post. Reflect a little bit on the past year and say thanks to the King who walked each day with me and made such an amazing year possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2010 was for me a year of great challenges, of some amazing highs and lows as I aspired to step towards reaching a lifelong dream...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKyGtWqWevzEFFoE-LbDknE1V7Gm-6d-uSLDgHlMxX4nRoRR4WUWHUAQpkk28qiLBoRJVWb2MVlLFmgscWWlJRq544Gvy984SZJqUU_Isqmbh-xFojf28Ho9s1_O6L8tRhQzEY7UW_Zml/s1600/VetRS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKyGtWqWevzEFFoE-LbDknE1V7Gm-6d-uSLDgHlMxX4nRoRR4WUWHUAQpkk28qiLBoRJVWb2MVlLFmgscWWlJRq544Gvy984SZJqUU_Isqmbh-xFojf28Ho9s1_O6L8tRhQzEY7UW_Zml/s320/VetRS.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a vet. I LOVE animals and to me they represent the beauty and love of our maker. It's a difficult thing to explain but often, when I look at an animals "personality", I can better understand the true nature of our Lord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For instance, I only have to look at the dedication and absolute love that a well-cared-for dog shows to it owner to understand how I should react towards my "Master". </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ask any cat what it's feelings are towards a vet and they may not be all too complementary but I think that it is a really amazing profession. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Vets will (hopefully) look after and treat animals in a loving, kind and gentle way. While your pets may not quite understand what it is that the vet is doing, and sometimes it may be difficult or painful for the pet, it will undoubtedly come out of the vet's better knowledge, love for your pet and a will to do what is best for the animal... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As a Christian that sentiment is fairly familiar...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This year was my selection year for entrance into the Veterinary Science degree. As this is something that Ive always wanted with all my heart, I knew right from the start that if God ever wanted to really test my faith He could use this as the ultimate test. I knew that it would be really difficult to trust in His plan for my life if something that I wanted so badly was denied for me, yet I hoped that I would prove faithful in such a test. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I also knew that there was no way that I would be able to make it through this year without Him by my side. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Every step of the way I have felt Him near to me. There has been many ups and downs and I chose early to give this part of my life openly to Him and let whatever must happen, happen. I cant tell you how much support and love I've had from Him and all my family and friends. It has been amazing to feel such true love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thankfully, my story of 2010 had a positive ending, not just with selection but also in terms of my growth as a Christian as I learnt to really trust and rely on His plan for me. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It has been a very inspiring and amazing walk. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I know without Him in my life, my path would be measurably different, so to my Saviour, I'd really like to say thank you for leading me on this walk.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bNM8YKK885-dWWzTksdvdrTgOZk1FIYjPsIdafrEEPNygVexFX2k8_8hj-jdpr1Q9eiHu1-8k0v98gaJg5tjIPBhMDM3vtT_yO7kAoGYR7YZfmMSl0_bxaY0AfrEOsfiaQNrvp7Z7bGw/s1600/BobbinRS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bNM8YKK885-dWWzTksdvdrTgOZk1FIYjPsIdafrEEPNygVexFX2k8_8hj-jdpr1Q9eiHu1-8k0v98gaJg5tjIPBhMDM3vtT_yO7kAoGYR7YZfmMSl0_bxaY0AfrEOsfiaQNrvp7Z7bGw/s320/BobbinRS.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">xXx</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Over the next two and a half weeks, I am going to be on holiday for a week followed by 2 farm practicals where I will be working on farms. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As such I do not feel that I will have time to put up posts so would like you all to know that my prayers are with you all and I hope that you will be blessed in this time)</span> </div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-62656681039589751692011-01-03T15:34:00.001+02:002011-01-03T17:03:59.492+02:00"He also made the stars..."<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">**The inspiration for today's post comes from a message I once heard in church. I was reading Genesis 1 the other morning and was reminded of this message and wanted to share my thoughts on it... **</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JpIbqfKlQ0wlP3PKmXZp2S0tQ6V3GxPa3tf9mj3_TgxlkjSPQIuPOck9_AWae1_ERhoqafL5Uv_h10eOFu6S8DkEXM1tykFhu0qA5yfFSz4el2_QVQGg-ZDaZvo2H-kc_N2619hWGni-/s1600/RobzStars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JpIbqfKlQ0wlP3PKmXZp2S0tQ6V3GxPa3tf9mj3_TgxlkjSPQIuPOck9_AWae1_ERhoqafL5Uv_h10eOFu6S8DkEXM1tykFhu0qA5yfFSz4el2_QVQGg-ZDaZvo2H-kc_N2619hWGni-/s1600/RobzStars.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago I was spending some time on a farm in the countryside in Limpopo, South Africa. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was very blessed to have the opportunity to relax on the grass one evening and lie gazing up at the beautiful galaxy that surrounds us. It was a cloudless night and I could see hundreds of stars peeking down at earth. For somebody who lives in an unfortunately rather smog-covered city, it was really quite a wonderful opportunity to experience the fresh air and beautiful night sky and I cherished the opportunity to admire God's amazing creation...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Having seen such vast, undeniable beauty it can be somewhat of a suprise for me to read </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Genesis 1:16. Im sure that you are well aware that this chapter highlights the story of creation but there is a small phrase that I feel has enormous significance...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"He also made the stars."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Why did the author of this passage choose to include the word, "also" into this statement? One only really has to glance at a clear night sky to see that creating all the stars in the heavens should not really be considered an easy feat yet the way that it is worded in the passage makes it seem that it was somewhat of an afterthought...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I think, however, that using that specific wording in this sense was not simply a grammatical statement but was rather a subtle reminder of how great and majestic the God we serve is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">While the stars seem so vast and magnificent to me, they were simply "finishing touches" to His creation. The vast and mighty things in my eyes are the "extras" in His and that serves to remind me of just how big, mighty and powerful the God that I serve is. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I can barely keep a plant alive for more than a week, let alone create anything nearly as beautiful as the smallest things that He has created, so for me this passage gives me a very frighteningly real perspective on how big He is. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sometimes, as sad as it is to admit, I think I try and put God into a box in my mind...In my prayers there are times when I almost "give Him my shoppng list" of all the things that I long for in my life and forget just how amazingly big He is. While I think that He loves us enough to want to know all our thoughts and hearts desires I do think that it is important to remember who we are talking to, and praise Him accordingly for that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">You may feel really tiny after imagining God in this way, but that in itself highlights just how amazing what He did for us was. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In comparison to the creator of the universe, we might not seem very big and important... But because of who He is, He was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save us, even though we could never add anything to His might or glory.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_eWLlfh5orTiWr3C6gSheNxG832eSnzi90sLirF0j7zpCbvbFjVXx8gBGo-Mqjj3G6aFNGRGb2jVzuvdODcyg-uFLsz5dUbS5p4CjMF-3oqMQ4PXiWWDVXNDKO8-50C8cQ5iSlwJYd0_/s1600/nebula-wallpaper-blue2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_eWLlfh5orTiWr3C6gSheNxG832eSnzi90sLirF0j7zpCbvbFjVXx8gBGo-Mqjj3G6aFNGRGb2jVzuvdODcyg-uFLsz5dUbS5p4CjMF-3oqMQ4PXiWWDVXNDKO8-50C8cQ5iSlwJYd0_/s320/nebula-wallpaper-blue2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Look up at the stars-He must be an amazing God! </span></div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-50201114918215525602010-12-31T12:51:00.000+02:002010-12-31T12:51:00.218+02:00Sometimes He Needs us to be Uncomfortable...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzeuQnc_VHIgw5RD1rh4bNXgSFvckqisJq-er6fuvxROAbtEFPlPxShRJqB888ooJaRAhSKJQZPw2tHYlNzGxoW3nLYSXyXyTvrY41cS3y-EQOos_f0iVtmGv9zCY0KXcyRQW-_M1IDh0/s1600/lightning+jhb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzeuQnc_VHIgw5RD1rh4bNXgSFvckqisJq-er6fuvxROAbtEFPlPxShRJqB888ooJaRAhSKJQZPw2tHYlNzGxoW3nLYSXyXyTvrY41cS3y-EQOos_f0iVtmGv9zCY0KXcyRQW-_M1IDh0/s1600/lightning+jhb.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Johannesburg, South Africa, where I stay, is prone to the most exquisite and phenomenal "highveld" storms.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> One can open their curtains in the morning to the beautiful African sun and by late afternoon the blue sky has transformed into a grey-black blanket of storm clouds. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Personally, I love this weather. I love the feeling of being completely out of control of earth's "rampant temper" while knowing that I'm safe beneath a strong, sturdy roof.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So often in my spiritual walk there are times that can be related to this feeling. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Every Christian goes through hard times, through "storms" in their spiritual walks and while these situations are so often devestating and painful, we sometimes forget that God serves as the strong, sturdy roof above our head that protects us from real harm. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Storms present themselves differently to people. Storms may include financial difficulty, depression, addictions or the loss of loved ones. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">These situations are so hard to deal with, even as a Christian who believes that God loves us and protects us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Personally, there has been many situations in my life where I've found myself questioning why a God who promised to eternally love and protect me could have allowed situations that so deeply hurt me to occur. Everyone say's that He always has a plan that goes beyond our understanding but in difficult times those are words that are sometimes difficult to hear.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have learnt, however, that even though those words are hard to swallow, they are essentially very true. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In stormy times, there is always a song that I listen to that helps me remember who is in control. It has become one of my favourite songs and I'd really like to share a snippet of it with you. The song is "Praise you in the Storm", by Casting Crowns...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was sure by now, that You would have reached down <br />
and wiped our tears away, <br />
Stepped in and saved the day. <br />
But once again, I say amen <br />
and it's still raining <br />
As the thunder rolls <br />
I barely hear You whisper through the rain, <br />
"I'm with you"<br />
and as Your mercy falls <br />
I raise my hands and praise <br />
the God who gives and takes away.<br />
<br />
And I'll praise you in this storm <br />
and I will lift my hands <br />
for You are who You are <br />
no matter where I am <br />
and every tear I've cried <br />
You hold in your hand <br />
You never left my side <br />
and though my heart is torn <br />
I will praise You in this storm"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The message that I'd like to share through this post is that there will always be times when you face hard situations. My pastor once said that you should be kind to strangers, as everyone you meet is facing some kind of battle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I find it necessary in tough sitations to remind myself that God allows and uses every situation for His glory and our good. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Even if a situation feels like it's going to break you, He can use it to teach you something and more often than not you come through it as a better person. And maybe sometimes we need to go through tough times for Him to achieve something great through us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">He never promised that the road would be easy, but He did promise that He would be with you every step of the way...</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">xXx</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On a different topic I'd really love to thank everyone that read and commented on my first post. I really do apreciate all the support I have recieved in my new blogging venture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I hope you all have a very blessed New Year!</span></div>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470324990786874479.post-58449112288261591302010-12-29T10:50:00.001+02:002010-12-29T11:08:44.329+02:00What's Love Got to do With It??<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christmas, for me, is the most fantastic time of year. I love the music and the festive cheer but mostly just how much everyone seems to take a little time to remember each other. <br />
<br />
I spent the past few weeks in the shops trying to find that "Perfect Prezzie" for each of my loved ones (and what with my family this proved to be quite an extraordinary feat!). As with every year I was amazed to see all the Christmas decorations that had graffiti'ed the walls and roofs of our shopping centres. <br />
<br />
Everyone is always saying that Christmas has become so commercialised and so many cards and songs speak about remembering the true meaning of Christmas. <br />
In my experience there seems to be very vast yet mostly true ideas as to what this "true meaning" should be. For some, Christmas is a time to remember family and friends and those dear to us, while still for others Christmas is a time to reach out and give out to those that do not have the basic needs of life (which in Sunny South Africa seems to be far too many). <br />
For me, and Im sure for most other Christians, Christmas is a time for celebrating the love...<br />
The love of a saviour who was prepared to give His life to give us hope and a future.<br />
<br />
Its always been a hard concept for me to grasp...I dont always find it easy to accept love given in the human form, so naturally found love in its truest form given from a God that sees and knows everything about me a little difficult to comprehend...<br />
So for me Christmas is a little reminder of that love...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My pastor gave a seemingly "Easter message" in our Christmas service on Saturday. For some, it seems a bit strange to talk about the death of Christ on a day when we celebrate His birth, but I suppose when considering the very purpose of that birth it becomes somewhat appropriate... <br />
It's hard to imagine a baby being born with the sole purpose of dying a rather gruesome death, but in actual fact, that is for me what Christmas really represents.. <br />
For Jesus only came to earth to live as a human with the purpose of paying the price for our sin and making us right with God.<br />
<br />
It didn't have to be like that. I do not believe that God, who is absolutely pure and majestic and all powerful, needed us to be saved. I do not believe that any human could add any value to the worth of God, so it raises the question of "Why?". <br />
<br />
Why would He choose to save us? And going beyond that, why would He choose to come and live on this earth for a considerable period of time before paying the price that had to be payed? <br />
...When I had these questions on my heart I found the answers in Max Lucado's book, "He chose the nails". (Fantastic must-read!!). <br />
The answer (according to the answers I was given): God payed the price for you and I not because He needed us, but because He loved us so so much that He couldn't bear to spend an eternity without us. He lived on this earth so that in every experience, in every pain and in every battle, we could turn to a Father who would understand our situations not only as a God who has the answers to all things, but as a King who lived through the same battles, felt the same heartache and experienced the same temptation. <br />
<br />
So..I ask myself "whats love got to do with Christmas?"... and the answer becomes kind of apparent...<br />
...EVERYTHING!</span>Bobzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12873338484383817866noreply@blogger.com7