tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17611284862207905712024-03-12T22:59:30.052-04:00As a Clay JarAn encouraging Christian devotional blog that strikes a balance between love and truth, grace and challenge. Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-30877241685245067492017-08-01T11:17:00.000-04:002017-08-01T11:17:02.835-04:00I Was a Leg Trying to Be a Face By Cortney Donelson<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been following Jesus for any length of time, you have likely read or even studied 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. Here it is in the ESV translation: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-12-14" id="en-ESV-28632" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">For the body does not consist of one member but of many.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-15" id="en-ESV-28633" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-16" id="en-ESV-28634" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-17" id="en-ESV-28635" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-18" id="en-ESV-28636" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">But as it is, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28636A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28636A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28636B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28636B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>as he chose.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-19" id="en-ESV-28637" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">If all were a single member, where would the body be?</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-20" id="en-ESV-28638" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-12-21" id="en-ESV-28639" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”</span><span class="text 1Cor-12-22" id="en-ESV-28640" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-23" id="en-ESV-28641" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-24" id="en-ESV-28642" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-25" id="en-ESV-28643" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-26" id="en-ESV-28644" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28644C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28644C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>all rejoice together.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the past four years, I've been trying to be a face. I'm not a face. God did not design me to be the spokesperson. I was not created with much capacity to ignore the lights, the stage, or the cameras and just seek Him. God did not knit me together to network, engage strangers, or excel at public relations. In fact, spokespeople and leaders (the faces and heads of the Body) should be comfortable with casual conversation about the mission and vision of their work. There is nothing casual about my ability to chat with people and quickly build relationships in order to influence others. It's down-right awkward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet, I've been trying to do just that. I had fallen into the enemy's trap, believing there are some parts of the Body more important than others. I believed I had to be the face (of my book, of the ministries I serve, etc.) in order to be successful. As Scripture says, God arranged us as parts of a whole Body, and if we aren't content in our part or focusing on our own purpose, the whole Body suffers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was created as a leg. My greatest gifting is supporting the rest of the Body, giving each of the other parts the strength to stand on. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a leg, I'm versatile. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I run with speed and accomplish tasks and goals quickly. (Just ask all the managers and co-workers I've had the honor of working with over the years.) I can become powerfully active in an instant. I can and do flex my muscles when needed but am just as effective standing in one place, in a moment of time, and supporting the Body in it's current place. Then, I make the Body mobile again, moving the vision of the head and the message of the face forward through supporting their work. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One former business owner described me as a "Catalyzing Organizer," meaning I can take information from all different areas and wrap it all together to create a final product that moves the company forward. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I'm being a leg, I'm uncomfortably comfortable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even in difficult circumstances, I'm not one to sit around. As a leg, I'm tasked with either keeping the Body standing strong in the face of adversity or propelling it forward, moving It into new territory. I'm strong in my faith. Mobility and strength - those are my areas of expertise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God definitely made me a leg and not a face. God also creates ears to hear, people who can listen with empathy to others' struggles and provide sound godly advice. God makes eyes to see the disparities of this world and do something to change them. God births full hearts to love the unloveable and reach the lost. God makes compassionate arms to show affection (that's you, you crazy hug-loving people). </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He makes strong shoulders to carry the burdens of the face and head, giving them support and connecting them to the mercy of the arms.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God makes feet to provide the Body with the perfect balance of flexibility and stability, and to keep the legs (me!) from stumbling. God makes hands to heal, build, and create. Are you called to create (perhaps a musician or artist?)? God creates lungs to breath the Holy Spirit into the Body's endeavors. The brains are the spiritual intellects. Some of the most notable are C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, and Saint Augustine. Are you this generation's brain? God makes lips to speak truth when others are spreading lies. He makes knees; you are the prayer warriors of the Body. He designs fingers to do the fine work of spiritual surgery and to leave God's thumbprint on His work.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He makes noses, those able to sniff out the good fruit from the bad. The noses' gift is discernment. Are you noses using it? </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God makes rear ends, too. They remind us of the Sabbath, to force the Body to sit, rest, and reflect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What part of the Body has God created you to be and are you fulfilling your divine function? Or, like I, have you been dreaming of being another part - one that you have designated as "important," "prestigious," or even "fun," not realizing you're negatively affecting the whole? I was chasing things I had no business chasing. I was a leg running after a face rather than running after God's will for me. I'm learning to be content in all things ... including the part God designed me to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you ARE a face, please contact me. I'd like help promoting my story. HA HA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Influenced by 1 Corinthians 12, Hebrews 13:5, my love and knowledge of the human body<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my story as told in the book <i>Clay Jar, Cracked,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and my prayer life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> is available now on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email <a href="mailto:cortney@cortneydonelson.com" target="_blank">Cortney</a> directly. </span></span></span></div>
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-50532142537879383112017-07-27T14:17:00.000-04:002017-07-27T14:17:07.675-04:00My Perfect Little Life, Exposed (Continued But Never Finished) By Cortney Donelson<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I left off in my last blog post, my perfect little life had just fallen off its podium, crashing onto the cement below, causing a million well-hid, carefully compartmentalized, secretly controlled, marginally held-together cracks to bust wide open as one gaping fissure of failure for all to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are familiar with my story, you may assume that gaping fissure was my husband's betrayal and secret life of addiction. Well, that would be the wrong assumption. In my former life, that would be what I'd want you to think - to keep the focus off me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tiny cracks that busted wide open when my perfect little life lost it's top position on the idol pedestal were the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. My belief that life could be perfect all the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. My belief that a perfect life could only be achieved by success and not that a really good life is only made complete by failures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. My belief that if I could achieve perfection, then others could (dare I confess, "should") strive to achieve it, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. My belief that I was in control of my life and sadly, everyone in it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. My belief that my husband could do no wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. My belief that achievement was the ultimate goal of this life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. My belief that I <i>deserved</i> a better life because of my own efforts and successes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. My belief that success was the appearance of happiness, significance, material gains, and power. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. My belief that I alone was responsible for holding my whole life together and making it look easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. My belief that if (when!) I made poor choices, I should hide them to protect my perfect little life and reputation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These beliefs were the cracks that had snaked through my life, causing undetected spiritual and emotional damage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If my perfect little life hadn't taken that plunge off its superior position, I would never have discovered the full measure of God's grace. I would have not experienced the gift Jesus offers when He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." If my perfect little life had not spiraled out of control to crash and burn below, I would have never realized my utter need for a Savior. If I'm being honest, while playing the writer, director, producer, and lead actress in my perfect little life, I didn't truly understand the disconnection that "production" caused between God and me. I couldn't see how my perfection was a barrier. I was lost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you lost? Do you believe you have it all together all the time? Can you readily admit that you have weaknesses and flaws? Do you hide your mistakes? Do you rely on your reputation, or do you work for the world rather than for God? As someone who understands the desire - the need? - to feel important, successful, and in control, I am urging you to open your eyes to the fact that our perfect little lives shield us from the glory of God's power, mercy, and even purposes for us. No one is perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wake up every day and do a self-check. I prayerfully take note of and repent for my perfectionist tendencies. This will likely be ongoing, until the day I say goodbye to this life and enter my home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to break any generational cycles related to this, too. I'm determined to teach my children this truth - that no one is perfect (aside from Jesus) and we should not strive to be such. If we are wrapped in shame because we're not meeting our own unrealistic expectations and therefore covering up our sin, we will never learn to take ownership of our "stuff." We won't have integrity. We'll never be able to remove the barrier and allow God's redemptive power to take over. That's true freedom - having the vulnerability and transparency to admit we aren't perfect in order to discover and live out God's perfect purpose for our very existence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to learn more or discuss perfectionism with me, check out the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/icutalks-conference-i-get-to-tickets-35235430120?aff=ehomecard" target="_blank">icuTalks Conference</a> in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 9, 2017. I'll be facilitating the interactive workshop titled, "I Get to Be Imperfect." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Influenced by Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Matthew 26:41, 1 Corinthians 1:27<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my story as told in the book <i>Clay Jar, Cracked,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and my prayer life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> is available now on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email <a href="mailto:cortney@cortneydonelson.com" target="_blank">Cortney</a> directly. </span></span></span></div>
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<br />Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-49770869898295612132017-06-06T07:47:00.000-04:002017-06-06T07:47:08.533-04:00My Perfect Little Life, Exposed By Cortney Donelson<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: www.getorganizedwizard.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am a recovering perfectionist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't use that term lightly or flippantly. I'm not making a naive joke or an uneducated parallel between the compulsion to create straight lines and neatly outlined, color-coded lists and the struggles found in the pit of an addiction with drugs, alcohol, food, or sex. My husband is a recovering addict, so I know (quite directly) the significance of my statement. I have lived through the deepest lows, the hurling hurts, and the intermittent peaks of victory found in the life with an addict who has not yet relented to God's direction and purpose for his or her life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfectionism is and does many things: It paints a deceptively pretty picture. It illustrates high levels of organization. It's the illusion of maintaining utter control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfectionism is also disobedience, spiritual narcissism, practical atheism, and idolatry. It can become an addiction, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">To simplify a complicated definition, an addiction is the condition of being enslaved to a practice, thought-process, or drug that can be psychologically or physically habit-forming (or both) to such an extent that it causes harm or disruptions to daily life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a kid, a ruler was one of my closest friends and this was not because I liked to measure things. It's actually the gold standard for creating straight edges for note-taking. As a teenager, my neat and tidy bedroom was my safe haven. I followed all the rules. Every. Single. One. I studied to my heart's content and worked my mediocre tennis-playing rear end up to the #1 spot by my senior year in high school. I twitched in the presence of clutter, and when I became a mom, my stomach tumbled when my kids colored outside the lines or didn't follow school rules. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>If perfection was my goal, achievements and rule-following were my means to get there.</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my perfection, I learned all the Biblical commandments. I promised to love God, love my enemies, turn the other cheek, give away my possessions, and confront difficult situations and people in love and truth. I learned to speak the "church language" and memorize Scripture. I led Bible studies and small groups. On paper, I was the perfect Christian. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, how did my rigorous meticulousness - my pretty little life - usher in any disobedience at all?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If anyone dug more than two centimeters down into my soul, they would have balked at the hypocrisy. Mind you, I did. I didn't know it was there either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't realize that in my perfect little world, I actually couldn't love my enemies because I was judging them. In my perfect little world, I wasn't able to turn the other cheek because I felt far too much betrayal when others didn't treat me like I thought I deserved to be treated. See, perfectionists take a lot of things personally. </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In my perfect little world, I couldn't give away everything because I felt I had to hoard my successes and achievements to prove I was worthy of the reputation I had gained.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, came the spiritual narcissism... In my perfect little world, I couldn't meet others in love because there was an overabundance of truth, and I came across as a critic. Little miss perfect couldn't even comprehend others' struggles because I was so busy hiding, compartmentalizing, and denying my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The next step to my downward spiral was practical atheism. In essence, I was doing everything "right" and by the Book (literally). I became all too independent and self-sufficient. My quiet times with God became less frequent. After all, I had figured out this thing called life, and at times, made it look easier than it truthfully was. I was so involved in reaching my own personal goals and dreams that I forgot to ask God what His plan for me was. I guess you could say I forgot God altogether. And, that's when the idolatry began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My perfect little world leaped onto the top of the podium, knocking the Lord right off from the spot He rightfully owns. My perfectionism had crossed the line. It was adversely affecting my life, specifically my relationship with God and by ability to love others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, my perfect little world took a misstep, one for which even I had not planned. It tripped and fell off the top of that podium to crack wide open on the pavement below...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(Stay Tuned for Part 2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Influenced by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my May 16th talk at icuTalks <b>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qkvkMWJHiQ" target="_blank">click for video</a>), </b>1 John 1:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1, my struggles with perfectionism, my life as an adoptive mom, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my story as told in the book <i>Clay Jar, Cracked,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and my prayer life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> is available now on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email <a href="mailto:cortney@cortneydonelson.com" target="_blank">Cortney</a> directly. </span></span></span></div>
Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-58853313254084002252017-04-24T21:44:00.001-04:002017-04-24T21:58:29.782-04:00I Know that I Know, and It Doesn't Matter By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's a declaration. A shaming statement. The one I know isn't true but for some frustratingly elusive reason, I still get ensnared and agree with it. Recently, <i>I even started to own it. </i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I'm not good enough."</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And, there it is. It doesn't always approach me so directly or reveal itself so clearly. Sometimes the source is manipulative, sneaky, or the lie is simply masked as something easier to digest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It can be fleeting ungratefulness. <i>I wish I was more (extroverted, funny, personable, eloquent, nurturing ...)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It may be a me-versus-her comparison. <i>I can't do what she just did.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It could be a veiled judgment. <i>You're swimming in the wrong pond. You aren't skilled in this area.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It might even be a soft threat. <i>It's taking you away from your real responsibilities and making you fail at them too. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's an identity crusher. <i>Who do you think you are?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I look backwards in time and try to determine when I started to embrace the thought. Yes, I know it's not truth. I always have and always will know this. In fact, it's the oldest enemy-promise in The Book. Yet, it still charms me in the darkest sense of the word. It slithers around my insecurities, takes hold of my weaknesses, and pulls me under as oil-thick waves of doubt close around my heart. Actually, it starts as a thought, but it soon morphs into a feeling. I realize I've been "had" when the feeling rolls into a choice. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't do this. Why am I still trying? It's hopeless. (Insert helpless self-condemning sigh.) I should just give up. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And, I almost did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't believe I'm sharing this. But, I must. If I continue to sit with it in my secret places, the devil will win. It's where he wins all his battles - in the dark. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I'm bringing it to light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On two occasions these past two months, I had this thought: <i>I wish I had never even written this book.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I struggle with perfectionism. In fact, I'll be discussing this in greater detail on the stage later this month. For now, know that my whole life has been filled with the weight of expectations. Growing up, life wasn't easy but it was smooth. I worked hard, and it payed off. Though, most assumed that everything was easy for me. I made the straight A's, excelled on all the sports teams, joined all the clubs, and so on. Their labels and expectations turned into my own labels and expectations. So much so that if anything was difficult, I thought I wasn't supposed to be doing it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>And, that's where the world and a life following Christ intersected with a sonic boom.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In order to write <i>Clay Jar, Cracked, </i>I spent three years staying up late at night while the rest of my family slept. I needed the quiet ... the space to write. To cry. To write again. I had never been a very good writer and have no formal training, so I had to learn how to write. My ever-patient editor and I spent hours on the phone painstakingly going through each paragraph to ensure my story flowed well for the readers. Three. Long. Years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That was the easy part. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It took another two years of self-publishing and then for the more traditional publishing process. There were covers to design, back cover contents to write, photographs to take, a biography to write, genre comparisons to make, price points to research, copyrighting to work through, phone meetings, marketing calls, fundraisers, book launches to plan, .... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That wasn't the hard part either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">No, the "Not Good Enough Lie" was reserved for this third stage. The enemy was waiting for when I was the most deeply invested and the most fatigued to snake into my mind and wreak havoc in my soul. As we all know, it's when he's most effective - when we're at our weakest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This third stage is the most critical. It's the point when most authors fail, for it's when we're most likely to give up. This segment is the on-going, long-term commitment to promote our stories and our messages, despite the needle on the gage moving up only tics at a time. Sometimes, the needle even falls back to zero. It's the most disheartening point of an author's journey. I hate it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All I ever wanted was to share my story in order to be a source of hope for others, but this world of books, publishing, competition, and other stressful activities dragged me away from my purpose. I had become so focused on numbers, finances, what other authors were or were not doing, and on what book buyers were thinking and doing, that I lost site of the WHY. I actually forgot why I had written my book. I forgot that God was in control. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I started minimizing God's power and plan as I bought into the lie that it was all up to me, and that <i>I wasn't good enough. Not good enough a marketer. Not dynamic enough a speaker. Not extroverted enough for interviews. </i>So, I almost quit. The wrong side almost won. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thankfully, I'm not alone, and God reminded me from where my strength and power can come if I just let Him do His work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am good enough because I have the Holy Spirit. I am good enough because God equips those He calls. I am good enough because I don't have to figure it all out; He already has. I am good enough because I don't have to be perfect; He already is. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.</b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And, He stands with and strengthens you too. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Influenced by <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>rest and relaxation</b>, Philippians 3:12-15, 2 Corinthians 13:9, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my story as told in the book <i>Clay Jar, Cracked,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and my prayer life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> is available now on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email <a href="mailto:cortney@cortneydonelson.com" target="_blank">Cortney</a> directly. </span></span></span></div>
<i><br /></i>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-78144133480853757642017-03-06T21:53:00.002-05:002017-03-06T21:53:17.961-05:00"For the Humility" By Cortney Donelson<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Humility is perhaps the most mysterious of all the moral qualities for which we strive to understand and embrace. One could make a compelling argument that for someone to claim humility for herself might indicate its absence. As I prayerfully considered my word for 2017, this virtue emerged to color the lens through which I am now viewing the world for twelve months. I never appreciated the many facets of humility – until now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My simple mind had a simplistic definition. Humility would entail setting others above or ahead of myself. “No, friend ... you first” became my mantra. I used Philippians 2:3 as the foundation of my word of the year. It’s the Scripture that suggests we “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Never could I have anticipated the full measure of the meaning of humility – the very fullness that God was hoping I would discover through the circumstances that were ahead. Not once had I considered that humility would have little to do with my book launch, speaking engagements, and other possible “look at what I did” traps. See, that was where my fear lay. When you put a personal and provocative story about yourself and your marriage out into the public eye where it is praised, it becomes all too easy to fall into the snares of pride and self-significance. <b>I expected that God strategically placed “humility” on my heart in order to remind me that my story was for His glory, my book was written through His gifting, my forgiveness was His first, and love and grace are meaningless without the cross.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As <i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We’re Broken But Not Shattered </i>publishes today, I find myself in the most humbling of circumstances, and they have nothing to do with a book or a heart-wrenching story of redemption from five years ago. Before I get excited and start checking sales numbers, before my big red carpet event in Nashville, Tennessee, before I begin scheduling more events and sharing my testimony in the most public of ways ... before all that, I am being forced to position myself even lower. Apparently, I must not just get lower; I must dive down to the depths. God has shown me it’s necessary that I experience a facet of humility in which I never imagined having to engage – especially not RIGHT NOW. My jar has cracked again and I have been reminded of the poignant messages within my book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God has effectively (and lovingly) lowered my position in order to wholly humble my condition. Through circumstances beyond our control, my family and I are now homeless. I prefer the term houseless. After all, we have options, and I do not want to trivialize the condition of those who are, in fact, homeless in the truest sense of the word. None-the-less, we are somewhat stranded. We own one and a half acres of unprepared land and a few pieces of furniture. Oh, and we do have one and a half cars to our name. At this very moment, as millions of people have access to our broken story and I am actively praying they find a hope and a joy that eclipses any human understanding despite what circumstances scream out, this family of four is living in a rented two-bedroom apartment with our somewhat big and absolutely needy dog. One of my littles is even sleeping on an air mattress. My circumstances are less than ideal, and I had started to lose some of that hope and joy I so articulately describe in my book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">How did we get to this position? My husband and I had a dream. A goal. It was quite a God-sized goal. In fact, I believe it was a God-honoring one. My husband and I had decided to sell our ample-sized house to build one half its size. Our objective was three fold. First, down cost – not because we necessarily had to, but because we wanted to. God had impressed upon our hearts to give above the level we had been giving, to travel on mission more often, and to serve in a greater capacity through our financial position. Together, we created a life goal that purposed us to gift others each month with a </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">greater amount than our monthly mortgage</i><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. Second, we aimed to downsize. We were tired of time wasted during yard work, house cleaning, and all the upkeep that comes with a larger home. We wanted more of the “3 F’s” – family time, fun time, and free time. Third, we desired out-of-doors space. We wanted our kids to play in and explore nature, enjoying more privacy, peace, and quiet than our neighborhood could offer. Our dream was to build an ultra modern and ultra small home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, we found 1.4 acres and bought it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, we sold our house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, we gave away all our décor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, we sold all our furniture except for a few items such a kitchen table for the apartment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, we hired a builder and an architect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then ... construction costs skyrocketed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m talking like 100%. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, we are without a builder. Without an architect. Without furniture. Without a home. Without a plan. That last part is the worst part for yours truly. No matter how carefully we had calculated and double-checked resources against budget through the initial stages of the process, the plan backfired. Few expected construction costs to rise as sharply as they did. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">High risk, high reward ... or, in some unfortunate cases, the greater the disappointment.</span><span style="font-family: '"helvetica neue"', '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we sold the house we had lived in for 13 years and now have lost the house we were planning to build, I have been introduced to humility in the most tangible sense of the word ... the most worldly sense. After the inevitable journey through shock, anger, and despair, I believe I’m now feeling "okay." True, our dream was kinda crushed. <i>Like a bug. </i>We have no viable strategy and housing prices and interest rates continue to rise. Even the apartment lease price is going up in August. (I think I’m typing myself back out onto the ledge here...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUT ... THERE’S GOD ... We do know the One who does have a plan. We intimately know Him. Our goal was to give more. Serve more. Help others. Love others more. Isn’t that the position and condition God has, in fact, already placed us? Isn’t this where true humility is found? Being in a position and a condition to love others more than self because we have little left to distract us? Letting go of our possessions to be free from worldly idols, self-appointed dreams, and do it the way God sees best? Living in a community of all new people, many of whom don’t know the Lord? Isn’t this what my husband and I were aiming for? Don’t we trust God's promise that He will not forsake us? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Isn’t this facet of humility unexpected but perhaps worth it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m learning the answer is <i>yes</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayer: </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Father God, You are the one true God, the only One from whom lasting hope, peace, and love come. While circumstances seem to break us, we know that as long as we are anchored in your hope, in Your Son, we can rest in the promise that You are a good God and One who has a plan so much better than our own. Thank You for this lesson in true humility and for not letting me get by with the surface level lesson. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.</i><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Influenced by my prayer life, the parable of the rich ruler in Luke 18, James 4:10, Matthew 6:19-21, Mark 10:24-25, Hebrews 13:5, the book </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Radical</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> by David Platt, and my book </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Clay Jar, Cracked: When We’re Broken But Not Shattered. </i><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> is available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers, as well as at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email <a href="mailto:cortney@cortneydonelson.com" target="_blank">Cortney</a> directly. </span></span></span></div>
Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-22644279353682228492017-02-10T15:07:00.005-05:002017-02-10T15:07:55.142-05:00Desiring Justice By Cortney Donelson<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think we all desire justice. I wonder if we truly recognize what justice is in the eyes of Jesus? What if the real meaning of justice can be found by experiencing it from a Holy perspective? What if it isn’t about righting wrongs or punishing the guilty? Perhaps the justice Jesus introduced to the world is more about the reconciliation of relationships rather than about the consequences due...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every time someone asked Jesus, “How can I get to heaven?” he replied, “Love God and love people.” He never responded with “Pray a prayer” or “Stop doing wrong.” Jesus is all about love and relationship. God sent His Son to die in our place in order to reconcile us to Him, to mend the broken relationship caused by our sin. Jesus took on this sin, despite being sinless Himself. He was tried, punished, and killed in the name of “justice.” Despite these <i>injustices</i>, God’s true justice prevailed. Death was overcome. Christ is risen and continues to be our truth, our way, and our life – our gateway to eternity with God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love God. Love people. Justice among each other can be achieved in the same way. Think about it. When someone hurts us, can the wrong ever truly be undone? When words slice our hearts, can they be taken back with revenge? When trust is broken, will separation repair it? When someone intentionally takes another’s life, can we punish him or her enough to bring the person back to life? The simple answer is <i>no</i>. Rather, justice can be achieved through the reconciliation of that broken relationship, when hearts are made whole and love prevails. Justice is forgiveness. Justice is mercy that leads to redemption. Justice cannot stand apart from grace if we are to love people the way God intended – the way He loves us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">While there will be a day when we all face God as judge, Jesus provides us with the promise that true justice has already been won if we put our faith in Him. Forgiveness. Repentance. Mercy. Perhaps these are the foundations of true justice, one in which loving rightness redeems so much more than punishment ever could. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Prayer: <i>I am so thankful that You are the Father of justice. I pray we all realize that the gold standard of justice was found when Jesus bridged the gap between You and us. May we always seek reconciliation, making ourselves less and You more. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Influenced by <span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><b>Micah 6:8</b>, my story as told in the book <i>Clay Jar, Cracked,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and my prayer life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #551a8b;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email Cortney directly. </span></span></span><br />
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-42280509643874184882017-01-23T13:03:00.000-05:002017-01-23T13:03:02.624-05:00Mistaken Authenticity By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">One definition of authenticity is the condition that exists when what we believe or feel on the inside aligns with what we say or portray on the outside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I once worked for a consultant who was truly gifted in the area of organizational development. She could take a struggling company and turn it around so that within a year or so, it was a prosperous organization with a culture that reinforced everyone's importance. People (and the bottom line) thrived. However, her own organization continued to struggle for years. Then one day the realization hit her. She was not applying the same principles she was teaching others to her own business. Authenticity was missing. When she began to walk her talk, so to speak, prosperity returned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If we shout from the rooftops we love Jesus but our behaviors include excluding him from our lives except on Sundays, we are not living authentically. If we say we whole-heartedly accept people who are broken, but we shun them from activities or judge them as less than, we are not living authentically. If we know we are forgiven by our Holy Creator but we continue to live in shame and not accept the freedom found in His forgiveness, we are not living authentically.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My goal is to live authentically, to portray all I know about our Living God through my words and choices.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week, I was convicted in an area where I have not been living authentically. With all my heart and soul, I understand daily alone time with God is crucial to prosperity and peace in every aspect of my life. I write about this truth. I encourage others in this truth. I invite others to participate in this truth. Yet, I had allowed about ten days go by without setting aside that time with Jesus. It was easier for me to create quote images, prayerfully plan classes, promote my book, and even think about messages to develop and write for this blog than for me to sit with my Bible and listen, pray, and listen again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not surprisingly, I noticed a change these past couple of weeks. I became so good at scripture look-ups that I lost the ability to apply the very scripture I was instilling in others to my own life. I lost my position as student in Christ and traded it for the role of an inauthentic teacher. My life was negatively impacted. I lost peace. I lost patience. I lost self-control. In just ten days, I had seemed to lose every fruit of the Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rather than operating from the power of the Holy Spirit, I was trying to control my life through my own strength, which I want to emphatically state <i>is not wise!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully, God made it abundantly clear to me these last couple of days that thinking about Him, teaching about Him, and even participating in group prayer every once in a while is not enough. I - we - are not meant to operate without spending quality time with Him every day. Planning a Christian lesson plan to awaken someone else's faith is not a substitute for allowing the Holy Spirit to fuel my own faith walk every single day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can no longer replace my time with God, even if it's with other Christians, a faith-based job, a Christian Encourager Class, writing a devotion, or anything else that may fool me into thinking it's as good as spending my own time with my Lord and Savior. How can I pour out to others when I'm not being poured into myself?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What about you? Are you replacing time with God with something the enemy is tricking you into believing is just as "good?" ... just as meaningful to your faith journey? Let's work together to restore this truth... <b>Our alone time with God is paramount to our prosperity and cannot be replaced, even if it is with other good stuff.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Or, perhaps there is another area of your life where authenticity is lacking. Do you have a "mistaken authenticity" that needs to be discovered and redeemed? Would love for you to share in the comments. I am sure you're not alone in it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Prayer: <i>Father God, forgive me for replacing our time together with other things. Forgive my mistaken authenticity. I am grateful for the ways You made me aware of this gap in my life. Because of Your vast love for me, You knew I would not get far on my own. You drew me back to You. I pray we are all convicted in areas where our walk doesn't match our talk. I pray we become wholly authentic. We lift Your name high. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Influenced by </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matthew 6:33</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Psalm 46:10, Galatians 5:22, Psalm 119:9, James 4:8, 2 Timothy 2:15, </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matthew 6:6</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Mark 1:35-37, Faith and Fitness Group with Jill Martin, and my prayer life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> is available now as an ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as in paperback at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! It will be available world-wide in bookstores and libraries through Morgan James Publishing when publicly released on March 7, 2017. Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email <a href="mailto:cortney@cortneydonelson.com">Cortney</a> directly. </span></span></div>
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<br />Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-67102201228007812562017-01-01T11:25:00.002-05:002017-01-01T11:25:36.434-05:0010 What If's That Will Revolutionize Your 2017: You Need Only Pick One By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsobEe8fZzmCskwD39cZWF_5B_i1Ep9zUrRblz6XMq6KYgHg9uuAqWLvJ1-jRsBxtrhbn24znYbTlVTFg9Id8Gcg1aF4QUBzcxvsZpoI1WWZtj5ZNEU_aWzlHbtdPKYlwzHJwFyyLDPM/s1600/what-if-title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsobEe8fZzmCskwD39cZWF_5B_i1Ep9zUrRblz6XMq6KYgHg9uuAqWLvJ1-jRsBxtrhbn24znYbTlVTFg9Id8Gcg1aF4QUBzcxvsZpoI1WWZtj5ZNEU_aWzlHbtdPKYlwzHJwFyyLDPM/s320/what-if-title.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There will be thousands of blog entries, devotions, articles, and social media posts today. People associate the beginning of a new year with the chance to gain clarity, change course, or even start over. I have compiled 10 questions to help guide your desire to transform or feel renewed. I encourage you to select ONE of the "What If" questions below and answer it. Journal about it. Focus on it for the next 30 days. Make one of these questions the one you wake up thinking about, praying about, and making decisions around for one entire month. If you are genuinely looking to change something about your life or yourself, I dare you...</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if the past was a way to measure how far you've come?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if the present was free of distractions?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if your future was not viewed through the lens of fear?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if temptation was a fleeting annoyance rather than crippling chains around your thoughts and will?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if you lived your life as if God was larger in love and more powerfully equipped than what you could ever imagine?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if your wildest dreams were not dreams at all, but the outcomes of smaller and seemingly easy choices that were made over time?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if you used the energy it requires to continue living the life you do not want to instead work toward the life you do want?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if you embraced humility with a ferocity that caused you to fully trust that God's plans are grander than your own?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if justice was the reconciliation of a relationship and not simply a punishment for a wrong as if that would make it all right?</span></li>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">©2012-2017 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Cortney Donelson's book, </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"> is available now at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/">www.cortneydonelson.com</a> as a paperback and as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Books-A-Million, and other retailors! The paperback edition will be available world-wide in bookstores and libraries through Morgan James Publishing when publicly released on March 7, 2017. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/">www.cortneydonelson.com</a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email </span><a href="mailto:cortneydonelson@gmail.com" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Cortney</a><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"> directly. </span><br />
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-33265985784080842152016-12-20T08:11:00.001-05:002016-12-20T08:11:51.486-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 18 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygxiCwY71q__shoauG4dWc359BEJaoShJjVCFLRiRbKvglG2BxPoWIRnoXw1QZ2woijxWQ8xt-VT5HH8vESQBAVhmu26S-i9wo0G0h0uiC5RNaeAz_0-ULqZQ8BGkShTX3tChwtRIpAs/s1600/th-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygxiCwY71q__shoauG4dWc359BEJaoShJjVCFLRiRbKvglG2BxPoWIRnoXw1QZ2woijxWQ8xt-VT5HH8vESQBAVhmu26S-i9wo0G0h0uiC5RNaeAz_0-ULqZQ8BGkShTX3tChwtRIpAs/s200/th-9.jpeg" width="195" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">John 3:17</span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. </i></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">Christ did not come with only the belt of truth. Jesus was born into a sin-filled world with the full </span><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">armor</span><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"> of God. He came to fight for us, save us, and show us the way. Even as a humble baby in a manger, Jesus has everything He needed - the full offense and defense of God - to fulfill His purpose of restoring our relationship with our Creator. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">When the disciple Paul preached about the armor of God, he was describing more than a simple outfit. He was teaching us how to accept and use the impenetrable weapons and protections of the Almighty God. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">Jesus was full of truth, yet He was also equipped with the breastplate of righteousness, the Gospel of peace on His feet, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the Word of God as His sword. Christ came prepared for a battle. He entered this world as an infant but ready in both mind, spirit, and body to conquer all evil and restore your and my places in the Kingdom of Heaven. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">There are many who believe the Truth condemns and judges. That would be one of the war plans of the enemy. The Truth is a balance of both love and conviction. Mercy and justice. There is no condemnation in Christ. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">Therefore, to honor Jesus this Christmas, let's first be thankful. Let's praise Him for His victory on our behalf. And, then let's don our own armor and cloak ourselves with love and mercy in order to light the way to truth and justice. Let's make sure those who don't know Christ as their personal Savior understand that Jesus did not come to condemn ... but to save!</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif; font-style: italic;">Jesus, thank You for making a way for us when we did not deserve it. Thank You for donning the armor of God, enter this world, humble Yourself, and then fight on our behalf. Thank You for the sacrifice. This Christmas, I pray we can all show the world Your truth and love and prove that You did not come to condemn, but to save. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-style: italic;">It's in Your name I pray. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-33135353958889194382016-12-17T19:20:00.004-05:002016-12-18T08:17:14.944-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 17 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7hwvuGg8JnYz7BStcJI9nx_FPU2E7SUNrzmWel8koD1qgdl3bf2z5zbYi4gXHQn1a3Lk9ApbCEArQQcQVGZN7C0Msb2eA3myDjk3pZx7eUrbopNRHRrNpWrlt0x6Mur25LLrXY1GIA0/s1600/th-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7hwvuGg8JnYz7BStcJI9nx_FPU2E7SUNrzmWel8koD1qgdl3bf2z5zbYi4gXHQn1a3Lk9ApbCEArQQcQVGZN7C0Msb2eA3myDjk3pZx7eUrbopNRHRrNpWrlt0x6Mur25LLrXY1GIA0/s200/th-8.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Luke 1:46-48</span></div>
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><i>And Mary said:</i></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "My soul glorifies the Lord</span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> for he has been mindful</span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> of the humble state of his servant."</span></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every year, I prayerfully select a word by which I will live, make decisions, and </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">prioritize</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> my commitments and activities. Many of you have followed my "Word of the Year" saga over the last several years. January 1, 2017 will introduce my </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sixth "Word of the Year." My words have become powerful </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">reminders that my way is not God's way. My thoughts are not His thoughts. And, His will is the only will I wish to see done. A couple of my words caused me some trepidation. A few energized me for the entire year. The others were difficult but worth the struggle to abide, for I learned so much and was able to draw near to the One whom I believe hand-selected these words for me with divine purpose.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>2012: Peace</i></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>2013: Joy </i></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>2014: Courage</i></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>2015: Obedience</i></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>2016: Reflect </i></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">This year's word came to me over the course of the last few months, as I sat in </span><u style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">reflection</u><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> more so than normal. This year's word is also a central theme in the Christmas story. Mary attributes 'my word' to the reason God chose her to carry His Son until His birth among the animals. Imagine that. If I can center my thoughts, actions, and soul around this word, I could very well become a significant part of the LORD's plan for 2017 and beyond. This word attracts the favor of God. I say, "Yes, please!" </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Humility.</b></i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">The word itself is humbling. That God would </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">handpick</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> this word for me for the coming year means that perhaps it's something I need to work on. (Ouch!) Or, maybe He made this word clear to me because He has big plans for my life. I don't want to miss out because my character is not equipped to handle the majesty of His will for me. So, I (humbly) accept this word. Though again, I enter into the new year with a small measure of curiosity (ok, maybe mild anxiety!) about what this all means.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">James 4:10 is clear. "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Zephaniah 2:3 is convincing. "Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">of</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> the LORD's anger."</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">1 Peter 5:5 is convicting. "...and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; color: #23221f; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">What about you? Will you prayerful consider a word for 2017 ... one that you will use to guide every aspect of your life? You may be surprised where God leads. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Father God, I know I probably don't even understand the full meaning of humility. As Jesus entered this world on Christmas Day so many generations ago, He entered in the most humbling of ways.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-style: italic;"> I pray, I learn from that and from the 33 years He spent on this earth. I pray I clothe myself with a humility to the extent that when others watch me, they know it is not of me. I pray that my humility points them directly to You. In Jesus' name I pray. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span><br />
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-53896628969265929532016-12-16T16:16:00.004-05:002016-12-16T16:49:09.641-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 14, 15, and 16 By Cortney Donelson<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlqU216VC0ai381OQC4xuaV8ql4jOgfBJx_bBpnn5NXosRYKDJgadCz0kJ77ikxAotQSd9iiKmmsExWQrj4tLFPxzHNyrOl2Y6no78ezJkNsTC44Qp9Jj1uvmNq8zF0B52xpnstdpE8k/s1600/th-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlqU216VC0ai381OQC4xuaV8ql4jOgfBJx_bBpnn5NXosRYKDJgadCz0kJ77ikxAotQSd9iiKmmsExWQrj4tLFPxzHNyrOl2Y6no78ezJkNsTC44Qp9Jj1uvmNq8zF0B52xpnstdpE8k/s200/th-7.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Matthew 11:28-30</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz94KmmZ57dzBgaccZZdSSWwUbfFM6IkBGsg-GR4J0JKu0BGTOPs31QyQNbAwS2PsNoSRxttseUXGtDA9bLzfErli-dEQzrVjsH4Xfmy_sD7o7i7hbVe28PP92utlvxmCoYyfsIEJPXI/s1600/fast-fifty-number-15maxw640q100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz94KmmZ57dzBgaccZZdSSWwUbfFM6IkBGsg-GR4J0JKu0BGTOPs31QyQNbAwS2PsNoSRxttseUXGtDA9bLzfErli-dEQzrVjsH4Xfmy_sD7o7i7hbVe28PP92utlvxmCoYyfsIEJPXI/s200/fast-fifty-number-15maxw640q100.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am now three days behind with my advent devotions. In another life, I would have considered that an epic fail. My relentless pursuit of meticulousness in combination with my current tardiness would have propelled me into internal chaos. I think I can now admit this ... I had a problem which the most potent of drugs may not have squelched. It was called perfectionism. In this past life I speak about, I would have chastised myself, angry in my belief that writing a two-minute devotion wasn't <i>that difficult</i> to do every day, especially if I was having quiet times with the LORD anyway. No wait! In thinking further, I have determined that my old self would not have even let it get to this point. I would have stayed up late to get them done on time, likely resulting in illness and overall nastiness at best. My loved ones would be taking cover about now. My old self was a disaster</span><span style="color: #666666;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Thankfully, I am a new creation. My old self continues to die a little every day while I am being transformed from the inside out. So, I have to say, there was a flutter of disappointment after the first missed devotion. Then, there was a slightly more intense prick of frustration with the second day. But... rather than convince myself that I </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">should have</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"> done better with this "little project" of mine to honor advent with a daily devotion, I instead followed Matthew 11:28-30. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_-fvh7Gxhz3j_c5DaKFbCJyPyCpG6LaoKNfHjRn2Y6OPJ8Pa-nNKJmRgOg3Jv3P-HafP9DOWyqrAwUMIbWBOzmZfJ8SreOjPWigs5h7UudTBW4E9pqaL1VlTGB_6tz5zHzTqrKV8V7c/s1600/th-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_-fvh7Gxhz3j_c5DaKFbCJyPyCpG6LaoKNfHjRn2Y6OPJ8Pa-nNKJmRgOg3Jv3P-HafP9DOWyqrAwUMIbWBOzmZfJ8SreOjPWigs5h7UudTBW4E9pqaL1VlTGB_6tz5zHzTqrKV8V7c/s200/th-6.jpeg" width="197" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This Christmas, I am choosing to honor Christ with intentional pauses. I am choosing to take His yoke and learn from Him. Jesus spent his busiest years smoothly gliding between work and rest. I have been quite busy this month. So, I know I must take His yoke and lean into Him more often to balance my soul. Humility starts with realizing I don't have to - </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">no, I can't</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> - do everything. My soul needs a break to sit with the One who can replenish me, the One who entered Earth over 2000 years ago alongside a bright star and a Heavenly host proclaiming His arrival. </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">The child</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> who not only saved us, </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">but continues to teach us through The Word and the </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Holy</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Spirit</span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">. I desperately want to learn. </span></div>
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<i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus, I want to accept Your grace, learn from Your teachings, and call on You to give me rest. This has been a turbulent few weeks, and I pray I sit still and know that You are God. I pray I don't miss the </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">reason</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> for this holiday. I pray we all take Your yoke and learn. Amen.</span></i></div>
Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-86976267247091549682016-12-14T09:20:00.003-05:002016-12-14T09:20:37.009-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 13 By Cortney Donelson<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There has been no mistake here (at least with regards to repeating the Scripture from Day 12). I approached this Christmas verse via a television cartoon last time. Today, let's look at it through song.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a true Christmas hymn, thoroughly biblical and infused with joy. The song speaks about multiple concepts including, Christ's deity, Christ's humanity, Christ's Lordship, reconciliation with God the Father through Jesus, the fulfillment of prophecy, and salvation through Christ. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> "Glory to the newborn King!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While the Bible is not apparent the angels sang during this event (one translation says 'praising and saying'), it's not difficult to imagine the angels rejoicing with song. Worship is a central component to building our intimate relationship with God. While worship includes the quieter aspects of communication such as prayer, it also encompasses our willingness to abandon our pride to sing, dance, kneel, and rejoice enthusiastically. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This Christmas, perhaps at the Christmas Eve services we attend, I challenge us to release our inhibitions. Worship as if no one else is watching but God. Praise Him the way He deserves. Let's all express our thanksgiving for the coming of Christ in a way that shows He is the Messiah. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Father God, we praise You! As angels rejoiced on that night over 2000 years ago, I pray we Christians rejoice and give thanks for the wondrous way You have reconciled everything. We praise You and want to express our love for You. May we do so in every way that pleases You. It's in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.</i></span></div>
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-3499086795452777242016-12-12T22:25:00.003-05:002016-12-13T06:30:32.368-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 12 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luke 2:13-14</span></div>
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'</i></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I sat and watched <i>A</i> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Charlie Brown </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Christmas</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i>with my kids the other night. Best. Christmas. Cartoon. Ever!</span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The use of Scripture in a cartoon was controversial even back in 1965 when it first aired.</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 times\22 " , "\22 times new roman\22 " , serif;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, Linus' "True Meaning of Christmas" speech that highlights Luke 2:13-14 was almost cut. I am thankful it wasn't, because it has been included in every airing since then. In fact, some schools around the country that use <i>A Charlie Brown Christmas</i> for their seasonal play are getting into legal hot water with their communities and local governments. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am fairly certain if this story was created today, Linus' monologue would be cut before it hit the airways. It seems the meaning of Christmas no longer includes Christ and His birth. With each passing year, Christmas leans a little more toward other things. The focus has shifted from the Word becoming flesh to consumerism-led expectations. Shopping, food, time off work or school, and a myriad of hurried activities underscore the holiday. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I ask myself, </span><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">how can I ensure Christ is at the heart of Christmas? How can we, as a family, do better? How can we sit still and adore Him</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">? </span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I believe this course of questioning will likely reveal a true dying to oneself moment for me. This path I'm on is leading down the sacrificial road. I can just sense it. But, it's a path I have chosen before, and it's one I have never regretted. I have faith and hope that it will lead to so much more than bows and ribbons. Stockings and cookies. House decorating contests and Santa. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps, in the coming years, my family and I will rediscover this "holiday" for what it truly is - the day our LORD left home to be born in the lowliest position possible in order to rescue us from ourselves. It will become a celebration where we give to Christ in a way that would glorify God and honor the incredible gift we already received in Jesus, His Son. I cannot imagine wanting anything more than that. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Father God, I look forward to the second coming of Christ</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-style: italic;">. But, first I want to learn to honor His first coming appropriately. LORD, I am blessed to live where I do and have the things I have. More than those materials things, Father God, I want to experience the magnitude and significance of how and why Jesus was born. Merry Christmas, LORD. It's in His name I pray, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-23004195993056670382016-12-11T21:04:00.003-05:002016-12-11T21:04:59.731-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 11 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Isaiah 7:14</span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. </i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel. Hebrew for </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">God With Us. </i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif; text-align: justify;">I cannot think of a more life-sustaining name. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel waits alongside us for the test results. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel holds our hearts when they break.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel comforts us when we grieve.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel calms the anxiety that rages within us.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel carries the weight of our transgressions.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel sits with us in our closets when it feels as if our worlds have been ripped apart.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel speaks truth when the darts of lies penetrate our minds.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel catches our liquid sorrow in His hands.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel prayers to Father God on our behalves. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel knows the facts when slanderous people steal our peace.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel seeks justice when wrongs are committed.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel solves the problem of aloneness. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel encourages us when we hit rock bottom.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel remedies regret.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel overpowers oppression.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel rejoices when we rejoice.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel mourns with us when we mourn.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel secures our salvation.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Immanuel. </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">God with us. </i></span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Jesus, there are no words that I could possibly find to express my shear gratitude nor the magnitude of my awe when I think about You</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">. You are Immanuel. You are with us, for us, and among us. There is nothing more comforting than that. We love You and praise You. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-48396416804003364852016-12-10T16:06:00.003-05:002016-12-11T07:38:17.557-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 10 By Cortney Donelson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr41AM29UI2KUb0G4GK8DAEggkHWibkLFIpMSVvX2S7LfY911iqjEoiespWuCCxAwcKv4h0KLwuE6Zp5bbCfVQvHvHFA8JSPYPqeJ-tYSDsPaOS23j2Mw0aRCkfrfqpBCWKub1AOeOTo/s1600/10days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr41AM29UI2KUb0G4GK8DAEggkHWibkLFIpMSVvX2S7LfY911iqjEoiespWuCCxAwcKv4h0KLwuE6Zp5bbCfVQvHvHFA8JSPYPqeJ-tYSDsPaOS23j2Mw0aRCkfrfqpBCWKub1AOeOTo/s320/10days.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Revelation 17:14</span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is LORD of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. </i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">The gifts brought to the baby Jesus reveal he was accepted as a king.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> time of Jesus's birth, gold, frankincense, and myrrh were traditional gifts given to royalty in the Middle East. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This idea convicted me not too long ago. My walk with Jesus doesn't always reflect every aspect of the relationship we have together or every position He holds. It's comfortable for me to relate to Jesus as Savior. Following Jesus as my servant makes sense to me. I can even relate to Christ as my brother and co-heir in eternity, though that gives me chills and upon deep reflection, causes me to drop to my knees in gratitude. However, it's the title of Jesus as King that I too often minimize or even forget. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today's culture, the American society, and my own </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">naivety</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> concerning history and government prevents me from truly understanding this dynamic position of King of kings. Not so in the culture of Jesus's birth. Jesus was and is royalty. He is the supreme ruler of all the Nations. And, even as a newborn lying in a dirty manger among farm animals, both Jew and Gentile recognized Him as King.</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't help but ask myself this Christmas season, do I acknowledge this position of His? Do I allow Him to rule over me - my heart, my soul, my thoughts... my whole life? </span></span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Jesus, You are King of kings. I ask for Your forgiveness</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">. At times, I forget. I forget to allow You to rule my life and I certainly don't act like I trust Your supreme oversight at times. I want You to know that I trust You implicitly. Thank You for Your grace and wisdom in my life. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-47885720365556332302016-12-09T20:57:00.000-05:002016-12-09T20:57:02.385-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 9 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucZ7v83Wa7XeHWKdMcpSI-VA9uQqZScpdh5qGZmjwZoXGgvOnWhO1bCwfeGlqld_5iZkLX7BF1No0oU2FC9OutyvMSW0We4XxStj7exj8PjQRXrYZyzV1_WBa8m3Jpgj8Er65CHqUNak/s1600/day9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucZ7v83Wa7XeHWKdMcpSI-VA9uQqZScpdh5qGZmjwZoXGgvOnWhO1bCwfeGlqld_5iZkLX7BF1No0oU2FC9OutyvMSW0We4XxStj7exj8PjQRXrYZyzV1_WBa8m3Jpgj8Er65CHqUNak/s320/day9.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Lamentations 3:25</span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. </i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Sometimes bad things happen. We can't avoid them. For now, we are residents of a fallen world, one which the enemy uses as his very own playground. And yet...</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">there is always hope. It's a hope born from the faithfulness and goodness of God. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">there is always joy. It's a joy that springs forth as we recognize the presence of God during our toughest times as well as in the most wonderful of circumstances. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">there is victory in Christ. The birth of Jesus ignited God's plan to overcome evil, even death. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">For those who seek the LORD every day, for those who pursue His hope and joy, for those who wait in expectation for Him, and for those who understand the victory that is the LORD's and in which we share ... for those, the LORD is good. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">So no matter what trial you experienced this week, no matter how you have been hurt, no matter which condition you face (loneliness, grief, illness, or another), I encourage you to seek out God and rediscover the hope that awaits. Experience the goodness He promises. It's in the waiting that we truly find the fullness of God and realize He is our portion. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif; font-style: italic;">Father God, while we may not always feel happiness, we can always experience Your hope, joy, and goodness. For that, we are truly grateful. You never leave us, but rather lift us up in our darkest seasons and show us your power through Your mere presence. Father God, You are our portion. We will wait in You. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">In Jesus name we pray. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span><br />
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<br />Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-58211062164853762692016-12-08T19:25:00.005-05:002016-12-08T19:25:40.190-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 8 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_fJ5cWscOJw_yjc39EK4Makjt_SF9SsPH50-ShTKH55Ohs2XX-2BCU5AxSa5S7tzKCiKHmjek0eoDd0t-JH5pBC091UDOTXPqISfRGAIUG7wIfeGUvXWWS3Aq-J8jgIUhC7El2VUJFs/s1600/day-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_fJ5cWscOJw_yjc39EK4Makjt_SF9SsPH50-ShTKH55Ohs2XX-2BCU5AxSa5S7tzKCiKHmjek0eoDd0t-JH5pBC091UDOTXPqISfRGAIUG7wIfeGUvXWWS3Aq-J8jgIUhC7El2VUJFs/s200/day-8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Luke 2:14</span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"</i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><br /></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This scripture bears repeating. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPye4Ntkkrg2v0SVeYp7aPLuQGdTHX_T1lKSIq0-g38Aw3GHWSinb05IF3uJuLs-VGy7Oo1kSaKGJ7wPBupyT8fkQroymLQRSeI8-crGci2jAUskxEeMi7cFiMNAu6wq0BRKmbZNEesIM/s1600/xchristmas-bible-verse.jpg.pagespeed.ic.w89md-7k8N.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPye4Ntkkrg2v0SVeYp7aPLuQGdTHX_T1lKSIq0-g38Aw3GHWSinb05IF3uJuLs-VGy7Oo1kSaKGJ7wPBupyT8fkQroymLQRSeI8-crGci2jAUskxEeMi7cFiMNAu6wq0BRKmbZNEesIM/s320/xchristmas-bible-verse.jpg.pagespeed.ic.w89md-7k8N.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let's commit to give God the glory in all things. We can do nothing worthwhile, impactful, or wonderful for His Kingdom's cause </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">apart</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> from Him. Here on earth, as we abide in Him, He is the source of peace. No matter what difficult circumstances come our way, His peace is one that overpowers all anxiety, confusion, and dismay. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seek Him out. Follow His ways. Rest in His peace. Three steps to the abundant life here on earth. Glory to God in the Highest!</span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">Father God, we praise You today. We know we can't produce abundant fruit without You. We are grateful for the peace that envelops us as we seek You out and rest in the confidence you alight in our hearts. May we also think, speak, and act in ways that please You. In Jesus name we pray. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-26189312855394413712016-12-07T22:49:00.002-05:002016-12-07T22:50:18.232-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 7 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1npN0sUjv_wJBLLF6LBX9byeM3bTpReNZMlhKVrV4MOVruDz3sFlTCYztUWaX_nvj2W8xVYgrGzpIGtELNfwzPA-w_HJ_xrFijtkBz4L57txlOFIfOVRCEcrbbl1Pm4Q66UayD3A-A-Q/s1600/DaySeven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1npN0sUjv_wJBLLF6LBX9byeM3bTpReNZMlhKVrV4MOVruDz3sFlTCYztUWaX_nvj2W8xVYgrGzpIGtELNfwzPA-w_HJ_xrFijtkBz4L57txlOFIfOVRCEcrbbl1Pm4Q66UayD3A-A-Q/s200/DaySeven.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Isaiah 9:6-7</span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. </i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">What a year this country has experienced, culminating in quite an interesting election process and outcome. Regardless of our side of the fence (or whether we are perched right there on the top of it), the party we supported, or the results we may have judged, </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">there</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"> is something for which we can all gather around and rejoice. We can rest confident in and give praise for this truth ... that God manages the world well. There is nothing too big for Him. No country. No government. No group. No religion. No person. No heart that is too radical or too damaging for Him to handle. Light will always pierce darkness. Life will always have victory over death for those who trust in Christ, the One for whom we celebrate this season.</span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Jesus came as Mighty God and Prince of Peace, and that is how God manages this world - through power and peace. It's a power that holds every circumstance captive and releases each one into reality only when God knows how to make it work for good in the end. It's a peace that eclipses our feeble definitions and human naivety. It's a peace that has no end as it leads the charge for justice and goodness in His perfect timing. As it was written, "upholding his kingdom with justice and righteousness from that time on <u>and forever</u>." The reign of Christ is supreme.</span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">I love that last line of this verse, too. "The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." The Lord's pursuit of peace, righteousness, justice, and mercy is both energetic and relentless. So it should be with us. </span></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">Jesus, you are King of Kings. Your reign will be into eternity. Your power and peace are unparalleled. For that, we can rest in confidence. We can give hope to the most hopeless of situations. And, we can pour out peace in the most chaotic of circumstances. All because You came down to establish the Kingdom of God, adopted us as God's sons and daughters, all in pursuit of what is good and pleasing to the Father. Thank You. In Jesus name we pray. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-55076220799684695372016-12-06T12:00:00.000-05:002016-12-06T12:00:26.117-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 6 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwUR5JKUeGsqbeZVSBOaaqd_NGCnedHp2HUIjwyYoRuJ-UXkE0hA18Lb5FREOhXtet251ayFgiwD2WjxVOzX5shS4H57V8fTyCcwzt5Hglh0ZWAFpwCs8ThR0DJlODunJpdSrG8HxUdQ/s1600/cbc-day-6-placeholder-image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwUR5JKUeGsqbeZVSBOaaqd_NGCnedHp2HUIjwyYoRuJ-UXkE0hA18Lb5FREOhXtet251ayFgiwD2WjxVOzX5shS4H57V8fTyCcwzt5Hglh0ZWAFpwCs8ThR0DJlODunJpdSrG8HxUdQ/s320/cbc-day-6-placeholder-image.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV)</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. </i></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">The gift of Jesus is so precious that </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">there</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"> exists no human word or single emotion we can use to describe it. It is, by all accounts, unspeakable. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">I have been given many amazing gifts. This morning, I thanked God for the gift of a new day (because yesterday was certainly not worth reliving). At the top of my personal list of best gifts ever, I would include my husband, my </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">children, and my health. In 1987, I received my favorite childhood Christmas gift - a giant sized stuffed bear that I so ingeniously named, "Bear." I still have him ... er ... I mean, "it." My favorite gift as an adult is by far the vanity license plate my husband gave me after our family was almost torn apart. INTLFAM </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Yet no gift is as precious as everlasting life. No gift can compare to the opportunity to know God, experience His goodness, and have the promise of eternity with Him. No earthly gift can compete with Heaven's greatest gift - Jesus. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">This advent season, let's give thanks together for the most unspeakable gift we've ever received. Let's take a few minutes to sit with the promise of life everlasting... all because a baby was born in a manger. </span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">Father God, thank You for Your unspeakable gift. May we never take it for granted. May we focus our eyes on the merciful and powerful impact a baby's birth had on both history and eternity. We love You. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-80906506190881897262016-12-05T14:00:00.000-05:002016-12-05T18:03:53.265-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 5 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VvoXQRAnt3yj0pg0CmEmfM2vmUFy5h9QtMGwVzsoQRucy6Eex1egSaVcBVv_I7hspr5DuK7R5YX3QbwrWg2BwdtwEBAESftxI8cNiEhzDvxFF53GV5kROsFvNXOunp-bkPscBp6JRZM/s1600/day5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VvoXQRAnt3yj0pg0CmEmfM2vmUFy5h9QtMGwVzsoQRucy6Eex1egSaVcBVv_I7hspr5DuK7R5YX3QbwrWg2BwdtwEBAESftxI8cNiEhzDvxFF53GV5kROsFvNXOunp-bkPscBp6JRZM/s200/day5-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">John 1:14</span></span><span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">God's Word became flesh means that God descended from Heaven to earth in the form of a baby named Jesus. Both fully God and fully human, He came to </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">provide<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Salvation (the solution) for our sins. Without Jesus, we would still be making burnt offerings and sacrifices to atone for those sins. The veil would not have been torn, giving us access to the God of All Creation. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">T</span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">hose who walked with Jesus during His 33 year reign on earth faced the spectacular. They used each one of their senses to experience God's glory, His grace, and His truth. Imagine! They touched the Lord's cloak, watched His miracles unfold, heard His sermons first-hand, smelled the wine turned from water, tasted the bread and fish that fed the multitudes, and learned how to walk intimately with God from God Himself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am often envious of those who knew Jesus so tangibly. I forget that Jesus advised us that it was <b>better </b>for Him to leave. In the dark and anxious moments of life, it is easy for me to overlook the One who came in place of Jesus, the One whom Jesus called another <i>Comforter.</i> This Spirit dwelling within those who put their trust in Christ is also <i>Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, </i>and<i> Counselor. </i>I often forget I can use every sense to experience God's Word and power through the Holy Spirit. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, this Christmas season, let's take time to tap into the Spirit. Let's catch a glimpse of the love that pours out of others who are tapping into the Holy Spirit. Let's allow Him to comfort, help, advocate, and counsel us. After all, as Jesus explained, it is better to have God abiding within us at all times than to have Jesus right in front of us just part of the time as the disciples did. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, we love You! We don't want to miss the impact of Christ's coming, NOR the significance of His leaving to return to the Father. We pray we tap into the Holy Spirit within us and allow our reactions and responses to our circumstances flow from the power of the Spirit rather than our own emotions and understanding. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i>Amen.</i></span><br />
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-49349827556885153202016-12-04T16:26:00.000-05:002016-12-04T16:29:21.800-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 4 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Matthew 2:10</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have you ever waited an extended time for The Amazing? Not amazing as an adjective but <i>the amazing</i> - as a noun. I expect most of you, like me, have had to experience a season of waiting. For graduation. A job. A house. A child...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The shepherds were keenly aware of God's promise of the coming Messiah. They had been waiting. Prophesies about the Son of Man had been occurring for more than 700 years. Then, there had been a long period of silence. So, I imagine the Israelites were getting impatient, feeling rejected, and maybe even becoming apathetic. <i>Did God forsake us or forget His promise? </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Despite the agony of the wait and the period of God's silence as He prepared to change history, when the star shone brightly that night, the shepherds <i>knew. </i>They did not second-guess. They didn't doubt. They didn't reject the reality as fantasy nor ignore the truth of the sign. They rejoiced <i>exceedingly with great joy. </i>I love the adverb clause and prepositional phrase here. It's as if twenty exclamation points were placed at the end of the sentence. They were not just rejoicing. They were filled with awe, joy, and most likely a good measure of relief. This was IT! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christ has come! Halleluiah! He was born, later was crucified, and finally rose again. We celebrate this joy-filled event of Christ's birth, and we realize we, too, are in a waiting period. We have been promised another Amazing. Christ will return, preceded by the sound of trumpets and culminating with the reconciliation of this world. When that happens, I hope we'll rejoice super exceedingly with a double portion of breathtaking joy and peace!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;">Father God, we rejoice exceedingly this Christmas season. We can only imagine what those shepherds were thinking and feeling that night as Your star shone, indicating Your promise had been fulfilled. We stand in awe of the majesty of that night. And, as we anticipate Christ's return, we pray we don't lose our intensity or resolve. We pray we don't doubt or second-guess in the midst of the wait. I pray when He comes, we are ready. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "\22 josefin slab\22 "; font-size: 17px;"><i><span style="font-size: 17px;">In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.</span></i></span><br />
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-67296562572687551712016-12-03T13:00:00.000-05:002016-12-03T13:00:00.163-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 3 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Luke 1:30-31</span><br />
<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus."</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><b>Favor with God</b></i>. I love this. Mary was not famous (before this story). She was not highly educated. She didn't have a platform, a book deal, or large numbers of social media followers. Mary was a pre-teen (or a young teen at most). Yet, she had found favor with God. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">A great definition of "favor with God" is a demonstrated delight. God delighted in Mary ... so much so that He chose her to change history. When I read Luke's account of this - the beginning of the Christmas story - I wonder, <i>why Mary</i>? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">My guess is just that, a guess. I bet Mary found delight in God almost as much as God delighted in her. Perhaps Mary was obedient in the little things so that God trusted her to be obedient in the biggest thing of all. Or, maybe for some reason, Mary was feeling she was at rock bottom, and she discovered that trusting in God's plan was the only course of action that would redeem her circumstances. I may never know, at least on this side of Heaven. But, I do know that it doesn't take what we have, what we do, who we think we are, or where we came from to please God. It doesn't take fame, fortune, or power to be used mightily in God's grand plan. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">Maybe, just maybe, it's simply grace. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin slab";"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin slab"; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father God, thank </span></span><span style="font-family: "josefin slab"; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">You</span></span><span style="font-family: "josefin slab";"><i style="font-size: 17px;"> for including Mary in the most important story in history. Thank You for showing us through her devotion to You that we don't have to be or do something special. We can change history as long as we say </i><span style="font-size: 17px;">yes</span><i><span style="font-size: 17px;"> to You and refrain from living in fear. You are mighty and worthy of all our praise and obedience. I pray we delight in You as Mary did. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.</span></i></span></span></span>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-80110755273877501402016-12-02T15:00:00.000-05:002016-12-02T15:00:15.083-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 2 By Cortney Donelson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 17px;">Zechariah 9:9 </span><br />
<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin slab";"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humber and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. </span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><i style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 17px;"><br /></i>Maybe you're like me, and you find yourself continuously sitting in awe of how God has put all the pieces of your life together. You look back and see His hand over your circumstances, and you can't help but weep with joy. Or, perhaps you find yourself on the opposite end of the spectrum. You wonder why God and His will for your life are such mysteries. You yearn to understand what it all means - what life with Jesus can do for you that you can't do for yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">Regardless on which side you sit this Advent season, I hope this verse in Zechariah is encouraging to you. It's one of many Old Testament scriptures pointing to the coming Messiah. He wants us to know the good plans He has for us (in this case, The Good News) even before they happen. See, God never wants to be a mystery to us. Mysterious? Yes, maybe - it's what makes Him God and us not able to fully understand His thoughts or ways. But, God does not want to <i>be</i> a mystery. He wants us to know Him intimately, like a best friend. He wants us to trust Him implicitly, as we would a savior. And, we can't know and trust Him if He shields His own character or His plans from us. So, let's dive deep today. Let's pray for God's wisdom, for knowledge, and for discernment. If the God of All fulfilled every prophesy about Jesus's coming, if the Old Testament writers were mapping out the birth of our King years and years before it happened, doesn't it make sense that God is speaking to us today as well, urging us to trust and know Jesus Christ as our Lord? I bet He's orchestrated a miracle or two or fulfilled a few promises in your life. It's just a matter of you realizing it. </span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin slab";"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father God, thank You for fulfilling the prophesies of Christ. Thank You that You have not set out to be a mystery. In Your loving way, You have paved the way for us to seek You and know You deeply. You have made a way for all to find You, trust You, and walk humbly with You. We are grateful that You have opened our eyes and hearts to see. I pray for those who are still seeking. May they find You this Christmas season. Yes, this Advent season, we want to affirm this certainty: Jesus is the truth, the light, and the way. Amen.</span></span></i>Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-22818694557633255742016-12-01T19:33:00.000-05:002016-12-02T07:58:34.467-05:00Advent Reflections: Day 1 By Cortney DonelsonThis Advent season, I invite you to join me for five minutes of reflection each day. I am convinced this time will help us prepare to fully celebrate the Birth of Christ.<br />
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Luke 19:10 (NIV)<br />
<i>For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. </i><br />
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If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you should know that because of God's vast love for you, Jesus was born more than 2000 years ago, leaving the comfort and perfection of the Kingdom of Heaven in order to seek you out and save you from an eternity apart from God. What a gift indeed!<br />
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If you are a Christ-follower, you have been found; you've received His saving grace! So, what now? We are ambassadors of Christ - instructed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, a lamp which is not to be hidden, salt which is not to lose its flavor, continually showcasing Christ's love for all to see. How have you been light or salt today?<br />
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<i>Father God, thank You for the gift of Christ. You have made a way for all to find You, know You, and walk humbly with You. We are grateful for the search and save mission that started over 2000 years ago, and continues to this day. This Advent season, we want to affirm this certainty: Jesus is the truth, the light, and the way. Amen.</i><br />
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<br />Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761128486220790571.post-14627849545258665832016-11-15T02:00:00.000-05:002016-11-15T02:00:16.701-05:00We Cannot Out-Love God By Cortney Donelson<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I feel compelled to start in prayer. Every day and with every devotion, I really must start in prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Father God, You are the one true God, the only One from whom lasting hope, peace, and love come. Your Word became flesh, died, and lived again for our sins. Your Word is everlasting. May it continue to teach us, direct us, fill us, and love us until we meet face to face in Your glorious Kingdom. May we never change it, distort it, or edit it to fit our own desires or the swinging pendulum of popular opinion. You are the great I AM. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Disclaimer: I am not a Bible scholar. So, feel free to stop right here, close out of the blog, and move along. However, I hope you don’t.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are two points I want make. First, The Holy Bible is God’s love, written out for us. It emphasizes His truths, reveals His promises, and exposes His character. Second, there are public individuals with mega platforms who are altering God’s Word to fit their own agendas or lifestyles. They are doing it in the name of loving others. But, I desperately want you to know ... we cannot out-love God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">God did not inspire the authors of the Bible to write it in such a manner that only those who are trained or educated a certain way can decipher and understand it. He certainly did not inspire it so that individuals can amend the truths to match their environments. The historical stories, the spiritual lessons, and the poetic messages were written for you and me to read and comprehend, no matter in what society or time period we live. God hopes we meditate on these Scriptures. He hopes we sit with them and soak in them. He hopes we invite them into our minds and hearts in order to know how to live out a godly life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even if I was – a Bible scholar, that is - I would still ask this of you: With every word I speak, every sentence I type, and every message I share, I implore you to weigh it against the Word. I beg you to check me and compare everything that comes from my mouth with what God says. James 3:1 warns teachers will be judged more strictly. It’s not a role I take lightly. So, I ask that if I speak against His Word that you (kindly and perhaps privately) call me out, show me, and correct me. After all, that is the purpose of God’s Word, to instruct and correct us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB95)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That is the only way I can be okay with this calling I feel to write, speak, and teach.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)<br />“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My heart aches and beats violently – yes, simultaneously – for those who are misrepresenting the Word, teachers who massage the contents of the Bible to fit cultural demands and their own situations and then share them as truth. They are teaching and advocating for principles and values that go against the very Bible they claim to trust and live by, and it breaks my heart – not only for them but also for the hundreds of thousands who follow them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)<br />False Teachers and Their Destruction<br />But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When we change God’s Word to suit our own desires or </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to match what we believe is a more loving way to live</i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, we effectively terminate our relationship as God’s Ambassadors. Instead, we designate ourselves as gods. When we believe that the Word is no longer relevant to our current culture, even though the God of the Old Testament is the same God as the New Testament and who will be the same God as in all eternity, we are relinquishing our need for a Savior. </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rather than creating a more loving culture of Christians, we are enabling a group of people to believe they know what is more loving than God Himself. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look, friends. I don’t always like what the Bible says either. There are parts of the His Word that I would enjoy ripping out, shredding, or rewriting. The most chilling verse in the Bible for me is Matthew 7:23. It says, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” The Lord is speaking to those trying to enter the Kingdom of Heaven who thought that because they were good people, did faithful work, and believed in the God of all creation, that they were His disciples and were granted entrance into eternity with Him. As is stated, “even demons believe ... and shudder.” (James 2:19) The truth is that we can do nothing on our own to guarantee our salvation – including loving others to the point of turning a blind heart to truth. Only through the blood of Jesus, our proclamation that He is our Savior, and by God’s grace will we enter those gates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we ignore the uncomfortable truths, if we hide or minimize parts of the Bible, then we should just put the whole of it on the shelf. To believe we can edit His Word to suit ourselves - even the majority of ourselves - is to promote ourselves to the status of gods. We are not God, and <b>we cannot out-love Him! </b>He loves us enough to give us His Word. In the flesh. Who died a wicked death. For us. <i>All of us. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To my LGBT friends (I know there are many of you reading this) ... </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You know me. I love you. Deeply. This is so hard. And, likely nowhere near as hard as from inside your shoes. I don’t like it, but if I negotiate and concede on what the Bible tells me is Truth, I believe I am giving up on God Himself. I cannot relegate Him from Supreme Being who loves us all and wants the best for us to some far away entity that doesn’t have a clue as to what we need. I can't make Him malleable to fit my opinions. He did not create us to live comfortable and happy lives. Trust me. I know this firsthand. I have died to myself a dozen times a day in my recent past – and continue to do so for I am a sinner. I have had to put away my own beliefs and desires and dig into what His Word says in order to make it to the next day. He created us for a bigger purpose than to simply be happy. I cannot just give up on that purpose. And, as I walk that decision out, I’ve learned that the amount of joy that springs up from walking in His truth is so much more than what any emotional happiness can fill. Please hear my weeping heart – because it</i><b><i> is</i></b><i> breaking – I pray for you. I empathize with you. I hope you can also empathize with my position. I do not judge you. </i><b><i>I pray you know that it is not personal between you and me but deeply personal between me and God</i></b><i>. I love you. I love God. And, I am choosing to follow His Word.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His love for us is vast and unfathomable. He knows our fears, our desires, and our struggles. He knows what makes us happy. He knows what makes us angry. He knows what we think in the quiet of our homes. He knows what makes us human. He knows. He loves us just the same. And still...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8) I firmly believe this is a wonderful promise even when His ways disrupt our ideas of what’s “best” or “allowable,” and certainly what’s “holy.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I ask you: What are your teachers teaching you? By their fruit you can recognize true and false teachers, true and false disciples. (Matthew 7:16-20) Do not be led astray. Compare everything to God’s Word. Start with this post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I challenge each of you: Make it about God’s love for us all and <i>how He loves out loud with His Word </i>and not about us trying to out-love God by changing His Word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because we can’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Influenced by my prayer life, current events, and The Holy Bible in its entirety, including John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:34-35, Isaiah 41:13, and others listed above. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">AUTHOR'S NOTE: I realize this is a sensitive topic, and one that will likely cause backlash and stir up raw emotion. My hope is that you seek to understand my perspective as I have sought to understand others’ views. I know I am likely now in the minority with regards to certain topics. I write this from a deep place of sadness – not judgment or condemnation. I am no better than anyone else. I am in need of Jesus as much as (if not more than) the next person. Fear, judgment, and condemnation are things of the enemy that I refuse to participate in and have worked hard to remove from my life. I could have easily kept all this inside, living in quiet sorrow for those I love who I feel are being deceived, hiding the Word in my heart but failing to love others by releasing it. I chose to speak up and live out <b>truth in love</b> because I truly care – just as these celebrity thought leaders who speak out against traditional Christian values. But, I cannot stay silent any longer. You see, I will meet God face to face some day and give an account for my own actions. <b>I don’t want silence to be one of those actions I must face with regret.</b> You can’t share truth without having love. <b>Neither can you truly love without sharing the truth. </b>They go hand-in-hand. If your perspective is different than mine, I respect that. But, if I had kept silent, then I feel I would have been part of the enemy’s plan. The beauty of God’s creation is our ability to think for ourselves. And, the beauty of our nation is our right to respectfully speak out. I hope you don’t unsubscribe or unfriend me in some social-media kind of protest. I pray that you take this to the Lord and allow Him to show you His truth. Thank you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none;">©2012-2016 Cortney Donelson. All rights reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Cortney's book, </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Clay Jar, Cracked: When We're Broken But Not Shattered</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> is available now as an ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers, as well as in paperback at <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a>! It will be available world-wide in bookstores and libraries through Morgan James Publishing when publicly released on March 7, 2017. Visit <a href="http://www.cortneydonelson.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.cortneydonelson.com</span></a> for more information and to learn about the "I'm a Clay Jar" Encourager Class for groups! To schedule speaking engagements, please email Cortney directly. </span></span></div>
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Cortney Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10426178472380757369noreply@blogger.com0