tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85087413880778946932024-03-12T21:03:55.584-04:00Inspired Daily LivingHomelessness,Daily devotion, daily inspiration, inspirational quote, quote of the day,Christian,encouragementDonna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-45735572015006789862010-10-08T09:58:00.004-04:002010-10-11T11:00:49.005-04:00Mission trip to the Los Angeles Dream Center - PART1 - SKID ROW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeJZrSkVe8sJ9Blcr3Vxfnwvz7E-YxhgXIVlPD8PABrquNRwcX0p0SdWHyJKxcU72CTbpC5A1fYOkQqCSnU74jTXKYJziiLxiNMKsfVI0Ykaz4pCP1vgOlewKQoFzUhKwRkUF_rZZ6YmQ/s1600/skid+row+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeJZrSkVe8sJ9Blcr3Vxfnwvz7E-YxhgXIVlPD8PABrquNRwcX0p0SdWHyJKxcU72CTbpC5A1fYOkQqCSnU74jTXKYJziiLxiNMKsfVI0Ykaz4pCP1vgOlewKQoFzUhKwRkUF_rZZ6YmQ/s320/skid+row+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: blue;">Statistics from www.csm.org: </div><div style="color: blue;">There are at least 91,000 homeless people each night in Los Angeles County. About 15-20,000 homeless people live on “Skid Row”. This is a ten square block area at the center of downtown Los Angeles. At any given time at least half the homeless population literally sleeps on the streets. The average age of homeless person is around 40 years old. One third to one half of the homeless population is women and girls.</div><div style="color: blue;">Causes of homelessness shown in research tend to include the following:</div><ul style="color: blue;"><li>Lack of affordable housing</li>
<li>Poverty</li>
<li>Low-paying jobs and labor market changes</li>
<li>Unemployment</li>
<li>Mental illness</li>
<li>Substance abuse</li>
<li>Changes and cuts in public assistance</li>
<li>Domestic violence</li>
<li>Changes in family structure</li>
<li>Prison release</li>
<li>Chronic health problems</li>
<li>Lack of access to affordable health care</li>
</ul><br />
Heading to the LA Dream Center, I expected to learn a lot of "facts" and information about budgets, help with establishing a non-profit organization, securing funding, etc., to help our church establish a Dream Center here in Collinsville, VA. While I did learn a<i> lot</i> about these things, I am SO grateful for the life-experiences that I was not expecting - like the time our group spent ministering to the people who call Skid Row "home".<br />
<br />
Trying to describe Skid Row is like trying to describe labor pains to someone who has never experienced childbirth. Words cannot fully describe the <b>intensity</b> of the sights, sounds and smells that make up Skid Row - amongst which, people are existing - not living, existing. Stray animals live in better conditions.....<br />
<br />
I felt a little desperation come over me when I realized that the cookies and water our group was distributing was gone within a matter of minutes - leaving me looking into the eyes of three dear souls who were waiting for their portion. Telling them that we had no more, was heartbreaking. I was quickly aware that I had <i>nothing</i> to offer except a few moments of my time, the offer of a prayer and a hug. It wasn't until after our group was back at the Dream Center that I realized that those things were, in fact, the <b>best</b> things any of us had to offer. NO ONE turned down my offer of prayer; NO ONE turned down my offer of a hug. They accepted those gifts as quickly as others had taken water and cookies from me.<br />
<br />
Holding filthy hands in prayer, hugging someone who smells of old body waste, urine or alcohol becomes a precious experience when you realize that you are an extension of Christ's love to that person. It was truly a privilege to spend time with these precious people who God loves as much as you and me.<br />
<br />
We may not have a Skid Row here in Henry County, VA but pain, loneliness, hunger and despair are universal languages which are spoken as clearly here as in Los Angeles. As Christians, we are called to address these issues. James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it my brothers if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food? If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well fed." but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by <u><b>action</b></u>, is dead."<br />
<br />
God has called <u><b>us</b></u> to <u><b>action</b></u> - to build a Dream Center here in Henry County in order to demonstrate His love; to meet people at the point of their needs, to rebuild lives and offer hope that is only found with a relationship with Him through Christ. Visiting the LA Dream Center - <b>seeing</b> their ministries in action and hearing testimonies of lives changed - allowed me to clearly understand the <i>impact</i> that a Dream Center can have in our community.<br />
<br />
To learn more about the (original) LA Dream Center and it's 200+ outreach ministries, please click this link: <a href="http://www.dreamcenter.org/">www.dreamcenter.org</a>/ <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dreamcenter.org/"><br />
</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
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www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-14067586700871463392010-09-29T11:17:00.000-04:002010-09-29T11:17:00.081-04:00My brother's keeper - update!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYiXdd_SQRndXi6xbVDUD60swl64XPCIwDxYH0p7Gk-U7uhPza92mILBnHgKxqTfyvIO77UMub4SjjQ-oEW8KP7pvh9H5QZYPnf3VfcXSl8IQ7QnyRfnolVeNbR8EjWz8MoC-4WLsS4qg/s1600/my+brothers+keeper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYiXdd_SQRndXi6xbVDUD60swl64XPCIwDxYH0p7Gk-U7uhPza92mILBnHgKxqTfyvIO77UMub4SjjQ-oEW8KP7pvh9H5QZYPnf3VfcXSl8IQ7QnyRfnolVeNbR8EjWz8MoC-4WLsS4qg/s320/my+brothers+keeper.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I made a decision not to blog again until I had something positive to report regarding James, the gentleman I wrote about in my last blog.<span> </span>Hmm…..May was the last blog entry – a long time waiting for something positive to happen in the life of someone who has so many odds stacked against him.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shortly after my last post, James was able to rent a spare room from a lady who attends church with us.<span> </span>Securing a place to live was the first step necessary for the long process of rebuilding his life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am <i>thrilled</i> to report that James has just begun week 2 of his new job; a very good job which allows James the opportunity to provide his young daughter with health care and hopefully, a chance for advancement in the future.<span> </span>Though the monetary pay is certainly not in balance with James’ work experience, the <i>intangible</i> benefits are priceless!<span> </span>You cannot put a dollar amount on regaining one’s self-esteem or hope.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">James is also excelling in his GED classes, scoring above High School level in some subjects!<span> </span>I can hardly wait to cheer him on at his graduation ceremony!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span> </span>Though our paths in life certainly aren’t without sharp detours and potholes, we can find ourselves back on track if we remember to cling to our faith, trusting that nothing comes our way that is not first Father-filtered.</div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.” <span> </span><em><b>Psalm 46:1-3,7</b></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-70889913092241879652010-05-18T06:56:00.005-04:002010-05-18T10:20:27.972-04:00I AM my brother's keeper.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ckAjSDP8wa84GBSnrwUN6UMw05n3lyXd9fczSr4CmYZiIvl65bm4hUN3Q_2BMfsulBk9sE65XAOKTzJEEhk-cMIEYIox0vaEhq54OIoChvt2ljv_P3Z6QYAfoOlT8mn1MzEt_a68eWmr/s1600/HelpingHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ckAjSDP8wa84GBSnrwUN6UMw05n3lyXd9fczSr4CmYZiIvl65bm4hUN3Q_2BMfsulBk9sE65XAOKTzJEEhk-cMIEYIox0vaEhq54OIoChvt2ljv_P3Z6QYAfoOlT8mn1MzEt_a68eWmr/s400/HelpingHands.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>By the time a man reaches the age of 57, he's most likely looking forward to retirement or at least easing back a bit on his workload. But, what happens when this man finds himself laid off from his job, lost within a sea of others who comprise a (now) 30% unemployment rate in our community? He becomes a statistic within the new generation of homeless in our country. A generation that is growing at such a rapid rate that government agencies, faith-based and benevolent groups cannot keep up with.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Meet James. He is not an alcoholic, not an addict, not a felon and does not suffer from mental illness. If he fit into one of these "categories" it might be easier to understand his current situation. James has worked hard his entire life, beginning as a child picking tobacco at the farm where he grew up. As an adult, he worked at one of our local furniture manufacturers, ultimately becoming a supervisor. When that company relocated overseas, James went to work for another manufacturer which, ultimately swept him out with dozens of other workers in one of its many layoffs. That was a year and a half ago. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When his unemployment compensation could no longer keep up with rent, utilities and other basic expenses, James found himself with barely more than the clothes on his back. A local church paid for several nights in one of our low-cost motels which, is where I first met James. The motel manager called my pastor because it was obvious to her that James was in need of assistance. He was not expecting me, so when I met him sitting with his Bible open and TV tuned to a church service, I knew he was not <i>setting a stage</i> for my sake. Rather, he was clinging to his faith while trying to wrap his mind around the circumstances that had now become his life. A life that no longer supports a once hard-working man's basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So what does the future hold for James? The answer to that monumental question is not clear right now. What <i>is </i>clear though - I AM my brother's keeper and so are you if we are followers of Christ. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When <i>you</i> meet (a) James, and chances are you will, what will <i>you</i> do? </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8508741388077894693&postID=7088991309224187965" name="1John3:17"> <span style="color: navy;">1 John 3:17</span> "</a><span style="color: navy;">But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him?" </span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: navy;"> 1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions." </span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: navy;">1 John 3:19 "Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord.</span>" </b></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div align="center" class="style67" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><b><i>My Brother’s Keeper Prayer</i></b></b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lord . . .</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When I have food, Help me to remember the hungry.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When I lie in my bed, Help me to remember those who sleep on the floor.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When I have a warm home, Help me to remember the homeless.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When I have work, Help me to remember those without jobs.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When I experience the joy of giving to my children, Help me to remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>By remembering, Help me to destroy my indifference and arouse my compassion.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="subhead2 style69" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Make me concerned enough to act in your name, to help those who cry out to you for that which I so often take for granted.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Amen </b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Prayer from www.mybrotherskeeper.org)</span><br />
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<b>A portion of proceeds from every purchase you make from one of my Websites goes to help someone who is hungry, hurting or homeless.</b><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><b>www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</b></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><b>www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</b></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><b>www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-35141937082683139802010-05-12T05:57:00.015-04:002010-09-21T07:14:10.096-04:00The ugly truth - my prejudice<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c230/donnapratt/Decorated%20images/GodLovesEveryOne-1.jpg" /></div><br />
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Truly believing, from an early age, that people are people- good and bad, I have NEVER been able to understand why anyone could dislike, let alone HATE someone, because of their skin color. Just doesn't compute in my brain. So, I'm not prejudice, am I?<br />
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The idea that someone could be the victim of a hate crime because they choose to worship differently than I do is a foreign concept to me. I've always believed that God doesn't care HOW we worship him - as long as we do. So, I'm not prejudice...... am I?<br />
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A woman intimately loving a woman, or a man intimately loving a man, isn't something I pretend to fully understand and yet, I'd rather love those individuals for their friendship and the way they have enriched my life, than to hate them because of WHO they love. So........I'm not prejudice, am I.........?<br />
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Recently, I came to a horrible, embarrassing and <i>humbling</i> realization.....I AM prejudice. <br />
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While dreaming and praying about the homeless shelter and <a href="http://www.dreamcenter.org/">Dream Center</a> our church is working towards building, I was imagining the precious people our group will be serving and ministering to. There will be hundreds and eventually thousands of folks who, like those we've served since the first of this year, need physical and spiritual help. Regardless of their skin color, their religious belief, or sexual orientation, God loves each of these precious souls the same way He loves me. I "get" that.<br />
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My struggle (and now I must admit and face the ugly truth) my <i>prejudice</i>, lies in dealing with someone who has molested a child. My personal reasons could cover a week's worth of blogging, and honestly, would be an effort to (try to) validate my opinion and feelings. Truth - however I tried to justify my feelings, they are still strong prejudicial feelings that have NO place in my heart or thought process if I <i>truly</i> want to serve as Christ would. If I strive to be a Christian, then I must be willing to become His hands, feet, eyes and heart to the world; the ENTIRE world - I don't get to pick and choose WHO to minister to, WHO to show compassion to, WHO to show love to. Christ's time on the cross was for ALL of us. His love was for ALL of us. His gift of salvation is for ALL of us who ask for forgiveness, repent and accept Him......<i>even</i> the ex-child molester. <b><span style="color: #000066; font-family: TimesRoman;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: TimesRoman; font-size: x-small;">For </span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God so loved the world</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: TimesRoman; font-size: x-small;">, that he gave his only begotten Son, that <span style="color: red;">whosoever</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(238, 238, 238);">believeth</span> in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: TimesRoman; font-size: x-small;"> <b>John 3:16-17</b></span><br />
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So, <b>my</b> ugly truth is out in the open. I challenge you to prayerfully ask God to reveal any prejudice that may be lurking in your heart. <br />
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<div style="background-color: white;">www<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">.</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(243, 243, 243);">InspirationalGiftsAndDecor</span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">.com</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">www.</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(243, 243, 243);">LittleCherubsBoutique</span>.com</div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">www.</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(243, 243, 243);">InLovingMemoryGifts</span>.com</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-1113315782253521452010-05-06T06:55:00.001-04:002010-05-14T14:40:05.734-04:00.."And under His wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4<div>I truly believe that we, as individuals and a society, can learn a lot from the precious animals that live amongst us. There are lessons to be learned in acceptance, pure love, safety, prejudices, etc., from the following story, Noah The Dove. Rather than script this further, or add a personal insight, I wanted to share the simplicity of this beautiful story that has been circulating around the world. Enjoy.</div><div><br />
</div><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span> <br />
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<tr> <td style="padding: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9icpUA5zxlNyd5pM8jrbhJk2Q-Tx0HCNv1T3ik0xldPy9cCiycZQhpBdjNDxOwR8HdOONZwqBwJabJwlpBibFN_bAQUGApXT974Y_MLc-ug6epp8iQg-X8duuJUJTl111kHsbFcZAIrZ/s1600/Noah+%26+buns1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9icpUA5zxlNyd5pM8jrbhJk2Q-Tx0HCNv1T3ik0xldPy9cCiycZQhpBdjNDxOwR8HdOONZwqBwJabJwlpBibFN_bAQUGApXT974Y_MLc-ug6epp8iQg-X8duuJUJTl111kHsbFcZAIrZ/s320/Noah+%26+buns1.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Noah the Dove </span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">These little bunnies, about 6 days old, were attacked by a dog and orphaned. Two out of the litter of five did not survive, and these three were not doing very well.</span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi305UhGI3cDIHduE6rYyqV86dCvo_SJQZMndUf8STbIwsVAFRFioxO04JFPT6k3OD6BIC5Yqc3Vk3W-15UPzkffbxo6rgVCayrn1EHlU1fSLMDghV-3ljwAA6wcM0LCuuiR9MP372J-HLy/s1600/Noah+%26+buns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi305UhGI3cDIHduE6rYyqV86dCvo_SJQZMndUf8STbIwsVAFRFioxO04JFPT6k3OD6BIC5Yqc3Vk3W-15UPzkffbxo6rgVCayrn1EHlU1fSLMDghV-3ljwAA6wcM0LCuuiR9MP372J-HLy/s320/Noah+%26+buns2.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">Noah is a non-releasable, one-legged homing pigeon/rock dove that is in the rehab centre. Noah kept going over to the bunny cage and looking in -- even sleeping in front of the door to the cage.</span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1lDypYfdeAFb91E5LqXKUhztFKiY6nvpSqu5PAOI2flYlU9eVsYxTHvjDyBRU4rBKB2jSrv5-R4I-1vDU9clKd2Ywsyl63o1QvVmC1IoIsKetxzj7afJ-9bT5od4QFSM95lgo4SqmNBL/s1600/Noah+%26+buns3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1lDypYfdeAFb91E5LqXKUhztFKiY6nvpSqu5PAOI2flYlU9eVsYxTHvjDyBRU4rBKB2jSrv5-R4I-1vDU9clKd2Ywsyl63o1QvVmC1IoIsKetxzj7afJ-9bT5od4QFSM95lgo4SqmNBL/s320/Noah+%26+buns3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">Then, suddenly, there were only two bunnies in the cage. When Noah moved a bit from the front of the cage to everyone's surprise...there was the tiny bunny...under Noah's wing...sound asleep! That little bunny rabbit had crawled through the cage, preferring a featherbed, no doubt to snuggling up with its littermates! </span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQA4XY_Ai0nYW9pNmpbpFXUf7JBy2NIr4g3KqCtrAheQYXSJFBja8dAZlKJQ-pNLzPOsxvN01YAe0gPPWFIZUquOx4AY91x-KhZlh_1f6Io_4xiPmKfLAcuD5wXLQHEPMvCJ-fXR5CzfC/s1600/Noah+%26+buns4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQA4XY_Ai0nYW9pNmpbpFXUf7JBy2NIr4g3KqCtrAheQYXSJFBja8dAZlKJQ-pNLzPOsxvN01YAe0gPPWFIZUquOx4AY91x-KhZlh_1f6Io_4xiPmKfLAcuD5wXLQHEPMvCJ-fXR5CzfC/s320/Noah+%26+buns4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">Now, they are all together and the bunnies are doing GREAT. When the bunnies scoot underneath Noah's feathers, he carefully extends his wings out to surround them and then they snuggle. When one of them moves and they start sticking out here and there, he gently pushes them back under him with his beak! It is beautiful and amazing to see...</span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';"></span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';"><b>Update on Noah the pigeon: </b><br />
We are Bob and Georganne <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1273140722_5" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Lenham</span> of Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas , home of Noah the Pigeon. <br />
After finding many posts online featuring Noah and the bunnies and reading about the many lives he has touched (his story has been forwarded around the world) we thought we'd post a follow-up and a few new photos. <br />
We knew there was something special about Noah the moment we saw him. <br />
Although the bunnies seem to be his favorite, Noah helps out with many rescue babies here at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch... </span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">Noah's first litter of bunnies, almost raised and ready for release.</span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';"><br />
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Now, Noah helps out with many rescue babies here at the ranch... </span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">How wonderful it is to have a full-time soft-feathered nurturer here at the rescue ranch! He cuddles with all the babies as they snuggle under his warm feathers...and he "coos" as if singing them to sleep with a lullaby. </span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';">Noah is truly, truly a God-send. <br />
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He will cover you with His feathers <br />
And under His wings you will find refuge. <br />
Psalm 91:4 </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif';"> </span> </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is what God does with us when we need the warmth and love He offers. He gathers us under His loving wings to a warm cradle of protection. All we need do in return is give Him the thanks and praise for being with us.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></b><span style="font-family: 'sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
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www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
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www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-85875120898571821482010-04-09T05:33:00.000-04:002010-04-09T05:33:53.379-04:00"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 10:17<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOitmaVZgZCqmnRe_ST_GJhxHCXBsyHLQBQ5kO0sgU4YdCk6KCnjXaGN0nbT4atJB5n-degJpSxbv34at9O51kkZbMCIcSAHWNeRYZKKOeROdgEAZWvgfLN1zg8nphvo7CvvZWQ-vbX-tK/s1600/what's+covered+color+copy+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOitmaVZgZCqmnRe_ST_GJhxHCXBsyHLQBQ5kO0sgU4YdCk6KCnjXaGN0nbT4atJB5n-degJpSxbv34at9O51kkZbMCIcSAHWNeRYZKKOeROdgEAZWvgfLN1zg8nphvo7CvvZWQ-vbX-tK/s320/what's+covered+color+copy+red.jpg" width="292" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span></b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"</span><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span></b><span class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxecxecxecxyshortcuts" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1270805572_3" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">The Room</span></span></b></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small <span class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxecxecxecxyshortcuts"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1270805572_4">index card files</span></span>. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. <br />
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A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at."<br />
<br />
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.<br />
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Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.<br />
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When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.</span></b></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. <br />
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One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards...</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh<br />
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And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div> <div style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room.. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. <br />
<br />
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.<br />
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Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files.. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div> <div> <div> <div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."<br />
<br />
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.<br />
<br />
<br />
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16</span></b></span></div><div class="ecxecxecxecxecxecxecxnormalweb4"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
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www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-90798039181278634032010-01-27T15:54:00.010-05:002010-01-27T18:25:31.399-05:00A Modern Day Hero!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp5ptgASu1_oEmcfUU7X7KKdegYFxgmnW1mGTIGWf57svQg5QZbrVEZ3XMyJATlVqPuH8EiiTk5pNf777DaN4istJPr1CDD3A8DCzi9UNyEWSaPT-mZ_ikwPCJ9ZJYlOkFkfMjdh16AEs/s1600-h/PastorShaunKing-133.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp5ptgASu1_oEmcfUU7X7KKdegYFxgmnW1mGTIGWf57svQg5QZbrVEZ3XMyJATlVqPuH8EiiTk5pNf777DaN4istJPr1CDD3A8DCzi9UNyEWSaPT-mZ_ikwPCJ9ZJYlOkFkfMjdh16AEs/s320/PastorShaunKing-133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431564310981298258" border="0" /></a><cite style="font-style: normal;">Photo credits: <a href="http://www.rossoscarknightphotography.net/2008/07/pastor-shaun-king-courageous-church.html">rossoscarknightphotography.net</a></cite><div style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:verdana;" class="esv-text"><p id="p46012004.01-1"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."</span></p> </div> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">1Corinthians 12:4-11<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> As horrific as the daily reports are that come out of Haiti, there are many miracles occurring too. Reports of people working in unbelievable conditions, using their God-given talents to do what they can to salvage lives, is inspirational. There are also people who are working stateside, using <span style="font-style: italic;">their</span> God-given talents to not only <span style="font-style: italic;">salvage</span> the lives of the people of Haiti, but also to dramatically <span style="font-style: italic;">change</span> their lives forever. These people are unsung heroes whom you may never hear about on CNN, never read about on Yahoo or in your newspaper. But, they are there, working behind the scenes with the grace of angels and the perseverance</span></span></span><em></em><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> of an Army General.<br /><br /> One of these HEROES is Shaun King. Shaun is a young man, just 30 years old, but his wisdom is greater than many men twice his age. As a husband, father to 5 children and pastor of a year old church in downtown Atlanta (aptly named <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**</span>Courageous Church) Shaun is no stranger to leadership and organization. He is no stranger to suffering either, having come close to death himself through a tragic accident. Perhaps it is these life experiences that help to fuel Shaun's passion to press on to help others.<br /><br />Almost immediately following the earthquake, Shaun began organizing teams of doctors and volunteers to go to the aid of the Haitian people. Obstacles and political red tape are no match for Shaun's Pit Bull tenacity. When he hears of a new situation requiring help, Shaun digs his heels in and does whatever needs to be done to get the right people and supplies delivered. One such situation required contact with a Naval Hospital ship off the coast of Haiti. No easy task. As a Navy Mom, I'm well aware of the limited communications with deployed sailors. Yet, somehow, once again, Shaun rose to the challenge and jumped through whatever hoops he had to, trying to coordinate medical care for many of Haiti's wounded who required brain surgery.<br /><br /> Shaun's latest, and perhaps largest mission, is aimed at the <span style="font-style: italic;">evil</span> people who are trafficking precious children in Haiti. Sadly, this is not a new problem in Haiti, but with Shaun pressing forward for change, perhaps it will soon be a thing of the past. If anyone can mobilize an army to eradicate this situation, I have no doubt that it is Shaun King.<br /><br /> I hope one day I can meet you in person and give you a "Mama hug" for all the good you are doing with your God-given talents. If not here, then I'll look for you in Heaven one day. Shaun, you truly are a modern day hero!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**If you would like to learn more about Shaun's work and how you can help with <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> God-given talents, you can follow him on Twitter, <a href="http://twitter.com/ShaunKing">http://twitter.com/ShaunKing </a>or read his blog at <a href="http://www.shauninthecity.com/the-courageous-church">http://www.shauninthecity.com/the-courageous-church</a></span><br /></span></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Corinthians+12:4-11" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
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www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-16506369773693585992010-01-22T04:21:00.006-05:002010-01-22T05:36:27.235-05:00Pray, pray, PRAY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f-Q-8bZ3fV4LE3GTEM-Dz3Lp2-ReyKJTiNKFBA3lccZqUzm5tawuTK3K4xnDsgDzVLZWqcvqe-sYyxpRUN5bVNShzOfeOd7C5bLKl9VWGoqAUxIQlYunKWmnxDtmruhynZkm77zdcSmz/s1600-h/Haiti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f-Q-8bZ3fV4LE3GTEM-Dz3Lp2-ReyKJTiNKFBA3lccZqUzm5tawuTK3K4xnDsgDzVLZWqcvqe-sYyxpRUN5bVNShzOfeOd7C5bLKl9VWGoqAUxIQlYunKWmnxDtmruhynZkm77zdcSmz/s400/Haiti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429508431457541762" border="0" /></a><br /><h4 style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Psalm 61:1-4</span></h4><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"> Hear my cry, O God; </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"> listen to my prayer. </span></span><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> From the ends of the earth I call to you,<br /> I call as my heart grows faint;<br /> lead me to the rock that is higher than I. </span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> For you have been my refuge,<br /> a strong tower against the foe. </span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> I long to dwell in your tent forever<br /> and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.<br /> Selah </span></p><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Like many of you, I awoke this morning thinking about the tragic situation in Haiti. My heart breaks with news of orphans dying, mass graves being dug, amputations performed without adequate anesthesia......</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Photos of precious souls with emptiness in their eyes, rip at my gut.</span></span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Mama in me wants to be there to rock the babies in my arms, stroke the faces of the dying, pray with the mourning and hold the injured. Reality being what it is though, for now, I am doing what I can by praying for those who <span style="font-style: italic;">ARE</span> with the babies, the injured, the mourning and the dying.<br /> If ever there was a time to "pray without ceasing", it is now. Pray, pray, PRAY people!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span> <br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-70643375061882868812010-01-18T06:08:00.007-05:002010-01-18T08:35:41.432-05:00Haiti - what will you do to help?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsfLuhkjnTxKIizjulHG7w9Mau3JpklulxVQfGTGM61WK-Z4qBxaTjQS2HVstJwYYK9AbOiC54BXGZy72mnZAAM0ve1wLuEHwXO_BW1sw7DL9KFCl8Nj-o8AmOQzbHhpOA4wrzeGpKLG0/s1600-h/Haiti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsfLuhkjnTxKIizjulHG7w9Mau3JpklulxVQfGTGM61WK-Z4qBxaTjQS2HVstJwYYK9AbOiC54BXGZy72mnZAAM0ve1wLuEHwXO_BW1sw7DL9KFCl8Nj-o8AmOQzbHhpOA4wrzeGpKLG0/s400/Haiti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428071922652379954" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:verdana;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Prov21:13"> Prov. 21:13 </a> He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need. </span> </p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." With the greatest depth of compassion, </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">she did what she could with what she had</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in order to bring the love of God to hurting souls. She did not allow the magnitude of the work ahead of her to overwhelm her to the point of doing nothing. Perhaps it is a coping mechanism, but often when faced with a crisis as large as Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti, we do </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >nothing</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> because we feel our efforts would be insignificant. Please don't buy into that lie! Certainly, most of us will not be called to physically go to Haiti, but each of us can show love and compassion to these precious people. Every dollar helps! Each of us can do </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >something</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. No good, done in the name of God, is insignificant. Please, open your heart and your wallet and give what you can to one of the wonderful agencies who are already operating within Haiti. For a partiall list of</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> some of these agencies, you can follow the link below:</span> <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5521">http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5521</a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">God bless you and the precious people in Haiti.</span> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-40147479089736032572010-01-05T11:50:00.010-05:002010-01-05T15:20:04.129-05:00"A True Christmas Miracle" (by Hope Kerkof)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The power of God's love can cut through the hardest of hearts. The power of His compassion can restore hope to those who have long ago given up on themselves and society. The power of His mercy and grace can transform an <span style="font-style: italic;">existence</span> into life, restoring dignity and self-worth.<br /><br />The following link takes you to one of the most compelling stories I have read in a very, very long time, "A True Christmas Miracle" by Hope Kerkof. Them power of God's love, compassion, mercy and grace flow from Hope and Kevin Kerkof into the life of a homeless man, "William".</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Grab a handful of Kleenex, you'll need</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://blog.lightunderthebridge.com/2009/12/30/a-true-christmas-miracle.aspx">http://blog.lightunderthebridge.com/2009/12/30/a-true-christmas-miracle.aspx</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-44014800698278833062009-12-21T09:33:00.008-05:002009-12-21T13:41:13.092-05:00PLEASE, remember the forgotten at Christmas!<div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNHUnncCVPUkUrU9nxFgja_CnJNqmZv6UlUf1GE0SjJo_v2dXZ3OwSGv6KVwxQiNxo9LnAjHtH7Bdw_hrY2HIDCXu2S3x2G5yGa2oQ8_87_K_n0PnH9UXkOpaSd6_A4teBKBHmaz1yFYN/s1600-h/homeless.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNHUnncCVPUkUrU9nxFgja_CnJNqmZv6UlUf1GE0SjJo_v2dXZ3OwSGv6KVwxQiNxo9LnAjHtH7Bdw_hrY2HIDCXu2S3x2G5yGa2oQ8_87_K_n0PnH9UXkOpaSd6_A4teBKBHmaz1yFYN/s400/homeless.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417700979213271058" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:100%;">Stock photo, not necessarily depicting homeless in VA.<br /></span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Tahoma; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1627421319 -2147483648 8 0 66047 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Tahoma; color:red; mso-font-kerning:0pt;} h2 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:2; font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Tahoma; color:#003300;} pre {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New";} span.textarial {mso-style-name:text_arial;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:.4in 1.0in 1.7in 1.8in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:304;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >Dear Friends and Family,</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span>It is hard to believe that 5 years have gone by since Tom and I moved to Martinsville, VA.<span style=""> </span>Even harder to believe is the continual rise in unemployment and poverty in this area.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=""><span style=""> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">This region of VA has a rich history rooted in furniture manufacturing including such companies as Hooker, Bassett and Stanley.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Martinsville was once known as The Sweatshirt Capital of the World, and was home to </span></span></b></span><span class="textarial" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=""><span style="font-family: verdana;">America's largest contract embroidery company.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadly, these companies, along with </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">many</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> others, have either closed altogether or moved their plants out of our country.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Martinsville and Henry County are </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">now</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> known for having the highest unemployment rate in the state, currently at 19.7 percent.</span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><span class="textarial" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=""><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="textarial" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span>Adding to the struggles of the unemployed is the fact that many people have seen their electric bills <i>double</i> within the last 5 years due to Appalachian Power Co. rate hikes.<span style=""> </span>Unemployed and underemployed people simply lack the funds to adequately heat their homes.<span style=""> </span>Yet, they are the lucky ones – at least in the eyes of the homeless here; earlier this year, Martinsville’s homeless shelter closed its doors</span></b><b>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >Though the facts of life are tough for so very many here, the people are some of the finest I’ve met in my life.<span style=""> </span>There is a true sense of community here, the type I used to only here as elders spoke of, “<i>the good old days <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><i><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >when neighbors helped neighbors.”<span style=""> </span></span></i></b><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span>I’ve seen time and time again, people willing to give to others in need when they had virtually nothing to give.<span style=""> </span>You’ve heard of the type of folks who would give you the shirt off of <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >their backs?<span style=""> </span>These are the type of people I’m proud to say live here.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >Local churches and individuals are launching programs to do what they can to assist the people in Martinsville and Henry County.<span style=""> </span>I’m excited to say that Tom and I will be helping as our church begins feeding the homeless and others in need in January.<span style=""> </span>And, recently I began a blanket program to purchase washable wool blend, <u>American made</u> blankets for the homeless and those who cannot afford to adequately heat their homes.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”<span style=""> </span>It is with this philosophy in mind that I am asking those of you who can, to please consider making a donation of $12.66 to purchase one blanket.<span style=""> </span>Should donations exceed the number of blankets needed, 100% of any remaining funds will be used for our church’s meal program.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >This has been an extremely tough financial year for most of us.<span style=""> </span>If you are not able to make a donation, would you please add the blanket and meal programs to your daily prayers?<span style=""> </span>That would be a wonderful gift!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >God bless,<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Donna<br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" >Donations can be sent to:</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span>Donna or Tom Pratt<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Tahoma;" ><span style=""> </span>P.O. Box 4669<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <h2><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Martinsville, VA 24115<o:p></o:p></span></h2> <h1><span style="font-size:100%;">Please make a notation on your check: Blanket Program</span></h1> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></p><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-11109652349187873582009-12-10T05:52:00.005-05:002009-12-10T06:13:52.121-05:00We are Christ's "body" on earth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR7Q-VU0kZg83qoy9VKsPc_3c9WAn1QQORq-iTILuQIcbXj6fYr0p2zkJCwJ33_CDCDFdzlp3pQVEz7FcGQdqSIetnhZVg_h9mkqYs6UREGmpr2Q0N_cF_2De_qn-H_b0CEIMo_cmEZmi/s1600-h/body_of_christ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR7Q-VU0kZg83qoy9VKsPc_3c9WAn1QQORq-iTILuQIcbXj6fYr0p2zkJCwJ33_CDCDFdzlp3pQVEz7FcGQdqSIetnhZVg_h9mkqYs6UREGmpr2Q0N_cF_2De_qn-H_b0CEIMo_cmEZmi/s400/body_of_christ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413562006279458242" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Christ has no body now on earth but yours,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">no hands but yours, no feet but yours.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Yours are the eyes through which to look at Christ's</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">compassion to the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">And yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">~St. Teresa of Avila 1515-1582</span><br /><br />Though these words were penned in the 1500's, they are SO very true today. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our fellow man as He would. We are to do the work that He began here so long ago. As individuals, we fall short of the ability to change a nation but, <span style="font-style: italic;">as individuals</span>, we can each do <span style="font-style: italic;">something </span>to make someone's life better. If each of us do <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span> our community will be a better place.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br />Today, pray asking God what He would have YOU do. Then, open your heart, your eyes and your spirit for the answer.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Father, open my eyes, my spirit and my heart today and show me what I can do to help even one person. Help me to be sensitive to your Holy Spirit's leading so that I don't miss an opportunity to serve others for you. Amen</span><br /></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />Please</span> support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.66, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</span></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-44347330229927428062009-12-09T05:16:00.003-05:002009-12-09T05:48:15.566-05:00Give me your eyes (Lord)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf5yZLjKFHwiZV1JnEGmGlYB8-V9zO3yRlLKI73KWwUXvpriG3oqTE28kPogYjemKOKegmRewZAVTFUQ2JBrkZnS_e87MGnjO0Socc2o0PpKlMZSVs83jK2Xwz37p1KkmCQAU4zuwO-WG/s1600-h/homeless-streets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf5yZLjKFHwiZV1JnEGmGlYB8-V9zO3yRlLKI73KWwUXvpriG3oqTE28kPogYjemKOKegmRewZAVTFUQ2JBrkZnS_e87MGnjO0Socc2o0PpKlMZSVs83jK2Xwz37p1KkmCQAU4zuwO-WG/s400/homeless-streets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413184683438389890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;">"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Deuteronomy 15:11</span><br /></span><p><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Christmas is approaching and as usual, my mind is racing with all the "things" I need to do or will be doing with friends and family. This wonderful time of the year is precious to me, but I'm becoming more and more aware that for many others, this time of the year is especially tough. Financial worries, lost loved ones, and loneliness are just a few of the burdens that so many dear souls carry daily but are exaggerated during the Christmas holiday. Many people will not receive a single card or gift this Christmas.......and too many have no place to call home.<br /></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Lord Jesus, help me to see the lonely, the broken hearted. Move my heart to do whatever I can to show your love and compassion to everyone whose eyes I look into as I busily go about preparing for this blessed season. Give me YOUR eyes, Lord. Amen </span><br /><br /></span></span></strong></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><strong>Brandon Heath Lyrics – Give Me Your Eyes</strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Looked down from a broken sky<br />Traced out by the city lights<br />My world from a mile high<br />Best seat in the house tonight<br />Touched down on the cold black tile<br />Hold on for the sudden stop<br />Breath in the familiar shock<br />Of confusion and chaos<br />Are those people going somewhere?<br />Why have I never cared?</p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><strong>Chorus</strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Give me your eyes for just one second</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> Give me your eyes so I can see</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> Everything that I keep missing</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> Give me your love for humanity</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> Give me your arms for the broken hearted</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> The ones that are far beyond my reach</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> Give me your heart for the once forgotten</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> Give me your eyes so I can see</span><br />yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah</p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Step out on a busy street<br />See a girl and our eyes meet<br />Does her best to smile at me<br />To hide whats underneath<br />There’s a man just to her right<br />Black suit and a bright red tie<br />To ashamed to tell his wife<br />He’s out of work<br />He’s buying time<br />Are those people going somewhere?<br />Why have I never cared?</p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><strong>Chorus</strong><br />Give me your eyes for just one second<br />Give me your eyes so I can see<br />Everything that I keep missing<br />Give me your love for humanity<br />Give me your arms for the broken hearted<br />The ones that are far beyond my reach<br />Give me your heart for the once forgotten<br />Give me your eyes so I can see<br />yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah</p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">I’ve been there a million times<br />A couple of million eyes<br />Just moving past me by<br />I swear I never thought that I was wrong<br />Well I want a second glance<br />So give me a second chance<br />To see the way you see the people all alone</p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><strong>Chorus</strong><br />Give me your eyes for just one second<br />Give me your eyes so I can see<br />Everything that I keep missing<br />Give me your love for humanity<br />Give me your arms for the broken hearted<br />The ones that are far beyond my reach<br />Give me your heart for the once forgotten<br />Give me your eyes so I can see<br />yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah</p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Give me your eyes for just one second<br />Give me your eyes so I can see<br />Everything that I keep missing<br />Give me your love for humanity<br />Give me your arms for the broken hearted<br />The ones that are far beyond my reach<br />Give me your heart for the once forgotten<br />Give me your eyes so I can see<br />yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-53577558170309383272009-11-05T08:38:00.006-05:002009-11-05T09:10:28.737-05:00Words to live by.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwiL89JMTALFJhUbk4rp1AH74EZWuBW5DP5f8BmAXtiNeXVR7t2omz4aCuJ_zvp11nG8fdvGtwBjj0f4HBzyhwh1a90dM2dOxUbgO0Kf5m6A3dpU5lMrAQjw2MvCRpEn1sbMyTB9Wpycu/s1600-h/mother+teresa.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwiL89JMTALFJhUbk4rp1AH74EZWuBW5DP5f8BmAXtiNeXVR7t2omz4aCuJ_zvp11nG8fdvGtwBjj0f4HBzyhwh1a90dM2dOxUbgO0Kf5m6A3dpU5lMrAQjw2MvCRpEn1sbMyTB9Wpycu/s400/mother+teresa.com" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400619489324330834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks to Rose who sent this to me.</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">WORDS TO LIVE BY<br /><br />"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;<br />forgive them anyway.<br /><br />If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;<br />Be kind anyway.<br /><br />If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;<br />Succeed anyway.<br /><br />If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;<br />Be honest and frank anyway.<br /><br />What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;<br />Build anyway.<br /><br />If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;<br />Be happy anyway.<br /><br />The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;<br />Do good anyway.<br /><br />Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;<br />Give the world the best you'e got anyway.<br /><br />You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;<br />It never was between you and <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">them</span></span> anyway."<br /><br />~Mother Teresa<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">Please</span> support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.50, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</span></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-85950570610177393472009-11-03T07:14:00.010-05:002009-12-10T05:52:28.601-05:00He is in control of all situations.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrm1j-0esIMYuWetlgECFTRk-tAvQsEUoKA-NMgBjchnuHYd-d2DGofREkLhGJQ64Zh61QT830tcIml9YijD4YrUGKcNkVvUwbP2Ifkz58CREOx8aq1p6WWuB35SHiM0ZTeGlAfAGvu30/s1600-h/trus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrm1j-0esIMYuWetlgECFTRk-tAvQsEUoKA-NMgBjchnuHYd-d2DGofREkLhGJQ64Zh61QT830tcIml9YijD4YrUGKcNkVvUwbP2Ifkz58CREOx8aq1p6WWuB35SHiM0ZTeGlAfAGvu30/s400/trus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399870271024828514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> I'm a pretty upbeat and positive person by nature but yesterday I found myself feeling a bit blue most of the day. Lingering within my thoughts was the fact that sales have <span style="font-style: italic;">dropped </span>on my websites rather than increasing during what is typically known as the start of the Christmas shopping season. My desire for sales is truly <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> for personal income because I'm blessed to have a husband who provides very well in that area. But, I want to serve God by helping my church family provide food and blankets for the homeless in our community. God has clearly put in my heart to give 100% of all profits made from the sale of any cross pendant or cross necklace I sell to buy blankets. I am to give 10% of all other profits to help buy food.<br /><br />Seeing no sales the past week, left me feeling discouraged. By the time I was ready to turn the computer off last night, my discouragement had turned to a low-grade anger. From the desktop view on my computer monitor, I saw the links to my two websites. I sat there looking at the links for a few moments, then decided to step out on faith, put my fingers on the screen, and pray. If this seems foreign to you, let me just say that touching the screen was simply a tangible point of contact for my prayers nothing more. I prayed that God would allow me to make a sale on <span style="font-style: italic;">both </span>of my websites. This was truly stepping out in faith because I'm used to making a sale on one site or the other, not both in one day. I told God that I would give him the honor for the sales.<br /><br />Well folks, this morning when I checked my e-mails, there were <span style="font-style: italic;">two sale notifications</span> - one for each of my websites!!! My heart was so full that my eyes were flooding with tears. God was clearly reminding me that <span style="font-style: italic;">He</span> is in control, that He hears my prayers, and that He knows the attitude of my heart.<br /><br />I was also reminded that because I am obeying what God has directed me to do, I can rest in knowing that <span style="font-style: italic;">He</span> will handle the outcome. I must trust in God's timing, not my own. I must trust, knowing that though <span style="font-style: italic;">I </span>may not understand, HE does. <span style="font-style: italic;">I am simply a vessel doing what I am purposed to do.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I am not responsible for anything other than that!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:1px;"><b><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Proverbs 3:5-6 </span></b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:1px;" >"Trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Father, I thank you for the lessons you continue to teach me as I struggle to remove my feelings and emotions from situations, to do what you have called me to do, and to turn the rest over to you. I thank you Lord for answering prayers and renewing the passion that is in my heart to help others. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a vessel to show your love to others. Forgive my doubting heart and I thank you for for reminding me that your timing is perfect in all situations! Amen.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Please</span> support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.66, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</span></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-72941232445060171732009-11-02T04:47:00.011-05:002009-11-02T07:28:14.337-05:00Be careful what you pray for!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia028HAcF3cWmxeAVfyrXTRrAV-wO4FkpnxGOUEJL2epvtrsDE6iVKZbQXtDe6gIUqvqReFRV0x0043cTPoynP44jIjIdJniK-vBwK7Taa0IOsY-w3KwgslAAembK6nAGvZ9vHj8pWYBHg/s1600-h/pray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia028HAcF3cWmxeAVfyrXTRrAV-wO4FkpnxGOUEJL2epvtrsDE6iVKZbQXtDe6gIUqvqReFRV0x0043cTPoynP44jIjIdJniK-vBwK7Taa0IOsY-w3KwgslAAembK6nAGvZ9vHj8pWYBHg/s400/pray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399476751477862450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've often heard pastors say, "Be careful what you pray for." Usually said with a bit of humor, but truly an admonition. If we open our hearts to God when we pray, asking Him to show us ways to serve others, it's going to cost us something. We may have to endure rejection and ridicule from those whom we usually expect to encourage us. We may find ourselves feeling the need to explain <span style="font-style: italic;">why and how</span> we are involved in something that, viewed through human eyes, seems impossible.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Imagine that for this next week, you had to trade places with someone (other than Jesus) from the Bible. Whose shoes would you like to walk in for the next seven days? You're probably thinking, "Not Job!" What about Noah? Could you put </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">aside </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">the ridicule he endured and step out in faith doing what you <span style="font-style: italic;">knew</span> God was calling you to do?<br /><br />If we truly have a servant's heart, we'd better pray that God will allow us to develop thick skin. Thick enough so that the barbs of rejection and criticism cannot pierce us so deeply that our focus is on the pain rather than on doing what God is calling us to do.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Father, I pray that you will give me the strength and courage that Noah had as I follow the path you have laid on my heart. Help me to stay focused on you Lord, so that your directions resonate louder within me than anything negative the world may speak to me. Amen. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Please support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $7.95, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO profit on the Friendship Blankets. Every penny goes to help the homeless. Please, open your hearts!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-90843715459338703882009-10-30T07:29:00.006-04:002009-10-30T08:52:24.803-04:00Friendship Blankets for the homeless<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IgPpUm2X6AkEbznXvVJYbw-i_DNhVj92MzInI4r1QraoLs052tvbtSg0T_Y7Dn_7RtKFmryNA0pk8O_zZ6dE4cpYkKiPJpn11KZXAZjy1rjnzKVFGeDPmdJhyHqwuSxpdSUeoHm_2_jd/s1600-h/friendship+blankets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IgPpUm2X6AkEbznXvVJYbw-i_DNhVj92MzInI4r1QraoLs052tvbtSg0T_Y7Dn_7RtKFmryNA0pk8O_zZ6dE4cpYkKiPJpn11KZXAZjy1rjnzKVFGeDPmdJhyHqwuSxpdSUeoHm_2_jd/s400/friendship+blankets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398373782632172210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Matthew 25: 35-40</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Too often, I think that most of us (myself included) feel that we can't possibly do anything to make a difference with situations as overwhelming as homelessness, so we <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">choose</span> to do nothing. We divert our eyes, avoiding personal contact with the homeless. After all, it is much easier for </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-style: italic;">us</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> that way. If we allow ourselves to look into their eyes, the image of the homeless may be etched in our minds so deeply that we are compelled to do something. And, that requires us to move out of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">our</span> comfort zone. Are we really so selfish that we can continue to do nothing? God forgive me, because I have been.<br /><br />If each of us did <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">something</span></span> for the homeless, our collective efforts could have a huge impact on their lives. God gives each of us different talents or gifts and if we could just realize that each of those talents fit together like puzzle pieces, we may catch a glimpse of God's plan.<br /><br />Recently, God placed in my heart a very clear direction to buy blankets for the homeless. He pointed me to a wonderful American blanket manufacturer, Northwest Woolen Mills in RI, that has a program in place that allows the general public and advocates to purchase blankets for the homeless. I am excited to now partner with the program, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friendship Blankets</span>, by selling the blankets on my websites. For a very modest fee of just $7.95 - $12.66, you can purchase one or more blankets and offer hope and warmth to someone who lacks in so many of life's basic comforts that we take for granted. I make no monetary profit on these blankets but the profit in my heart, knowing that you and I <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">can</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span> make a difference, is priceless.<br /><br />Please, follow the links to one of my websites, open your heart and purchase a blanket.<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /></span><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://littlecherubsboutique.auctivacommerce.com/">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-28290503893922081082009-10-21T04:33:00.005-04:002009-10-21T05:51:58.804-04:00Taking Blessings For Granted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4qaRarUhX7YqYIrhXa_kyl4sEaUWnf0MS_YY49QtasYA9XPIYRDQeSvyxLpChLhcJhUyaaIUhe5sgA14pSNLoTTppyGCx_2AxyDZMwiWd5oWlqB99RQNUV_JnrQHIoF8WtpJzt601ay-/s1600-h/homeless.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4qaRarUhX7YqYIrhXa_kyl4sEaUWnf0MS_YY49QtasYA9XPIYRDQeSvyxLpChLhcJhUyaaIUhe5sgA14pSNLoTTppyGCx_2AxyDZMwiWd5oWlqB99RQNUV_JnrQHIoF8WtpJzt601ay-/s400/homeless.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394975173622288002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Yesterday was "one of those days". Evidence of this is the fact that there are 3 pair of shoes sitting behind my bathroom vanity chair. A pair of sneakers, boots and clogs never made it to the closet yesterday. A cozy sweater hangs on the back of the vanity chair. I sit wrapped in a beautiful robe that my husband gave me a few years back, while another robe hangs on a hook on the back of the bathroom door. It hit me this morning, that I am so very blessed to have an <span style="font-style: italic;">excess</span> of clothing and shoes. I own enough shoes that I can <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> 3 pair sitting outside of the closet. I have an extra robe, and more than one sweater. I am blessed and yet take so very much for granted. There are thousands of people, hundreds in my own community, who don't have an extra sweater or pair of shoes. They don't own a single robe...because, there is no need for one when you don't have a bathroom door or closet to hang one in. Here I am with an excess while so many people don't have the basic comforts of life - food, clothing and shelter. God forgive me for taking your blessings for granted. Open my eyes and my heart, Lord, to the opportunities to share the abundance you have given me.<br />Amen.<br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"...If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21<br /> "Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you."<br />Deuteronomy 16:17<br /></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Vivaldi;font-size:4px;" ><span style=";font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS - 100% OF </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ALL</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF ANY CROSS NECKLACE ON OUR WEBSITES GO TO PURCHASE BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR AREA.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN IN </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">YOUR </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">AREA!</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">COUPONS! USE CODE, CHRISTMAS09, DURING CHECKOUT ON LITTLE CHERUBS BOUTIQUE AND USE CODE, CHRISTMAS, ON INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS AND DECOR - SAVE 20% ON YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE! YOU MAY USE EACH COUPON 4 TIMES BETWEEN NOW AND MID-DECEMBER.</span><br /><br />TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >PLEASE</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, do what you<br />can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://littlecherubsboutique.auctivacommerce.com/">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-24973096814332913212009-10-15T08:53:00.004-04:002009-10-15T09:19:57.870-04:00WORLD VISION - Will you do your part to help a child in critical need?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuPdcrPpbN2i9eNLwGceZ4hSA2p3Qj7ndexGhCeqvkCP8UaPkP1ApxOJ2JyZUUm17DlSMwtrIpKq-v6hS6vyZGPKHVd8fnxEwU3C_flKEqQ86QWTFY0ibFUmR3DNu_He5e08aRNNeLuZa/s1600-h/ethiopia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuPdcrPpbN2i9eNLwGceZ4hSA2p3Qj7ndexGhCeqvkCP8UaPkP1ApxOJ2JyZUUm17DlSMwtrIpKq-v6hS6vyZGPKHVd8fnxEwU3C_flKEqQ86QWTFY0ibFUmR3DNu_He5e08aRNNeLuZa/s200/ethiopia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392815671196204226" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="xxwvChildTitle"><b><b>About 15 years ago, while living in Gadsden and Rainbow City, AL, I began listening to the Rick and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bubba</span> show</b></b></span><span class="xxwvChildTitle"></span><b><b><a href="http://www.rickandbubba.com/"> http://www.rickandbubba.com/</a></b></b><span class="xxwvChildTitle"><b><b> who broadcast their show from there. Over the past several years, Rick and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bubba's</span> show has become a nationally syndicated talk show as well as a TV show. Now that I live in VA, I listen via the Internet, to these 2 wonderful guys every morning. They are hysterically funny, have hearts of gold, and are outspoken about their faith in God - on a secular radio station! Countless times, they have had me laughing so hard that I could barely catch my breath. Most of the time, their shows are peppered with serious issues. Today is such a day as they focus their 4 hours on-air to promote and help out with the wonderful folks at World Vision. World Vision is doing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">unprecedented work to change the lives of thousands of children who are in critically dire circumstances around the globe. At least 85 cents of every sponsorship dollar goes directly to help a child in need. As a sponsor, you develop a true relationship with your child through letters, photos and care packages (optional) that you send your child. The children write you letters and you are able to see how your sponsorship is directly changing the life of the child. When you click on the World Vision link (provided on the home page of Rick & Bubba's website) a child's photo will appear with a description of the living conditions, health conditions, etc. of the child in need of sponsorship. Now, you have the option to search for a child with specifications that you are led to (age, country of origin, etc.) or you can do as I did and agree to sponsor the child whose info and photo appear on the page. Know that the children show up on the screen in the order of the length of time they have been waiting for sponsorship.<br /><br /><br />I should add here that my heart truly lies in home missions because I see such needs within my own community that I've always found it hard to justify sending my money outside of my own country. I've done it, but my heart hasn't always been in it - just being transparent here. BUT, God has been moving on my heart lately about expanding my giving to other areas outside of my community. It has been said, "The poorest of the poor children in the US would be RICH compared to most of the children in third world countries." So, in obedience to God's leading, this morning, I signed up to sponsor a child and her information is below. Won't you <span style="font-style: italic;">please </span>prayerfully consider sponsoring a child who, without your help, faces a painful life of unbelievable poverty, hunger and disease. God bless you for considering this.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Congratulations! You have sponsored <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tigist</span> from Ethiopia</b></b></span> <b> </b><p> <b> <span class="xxwvSponPara"><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tigist</span> lives with her parents and 3 sisters. Her parents struggle to provide for the family. Her father is a farmer and her mother is a housewife. Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the family's needs. </p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tigist</span> and her family live in a community severely affected by the HIV and AIDS crisis. In some communities, AIDS affects the entire social structure as a generation of hardworking adults is being wiped out. Frightened children and exhausted grandparents rarely have money for food, school, or medical care. Through sponsorship, you can help with these and other basic needs for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tigist</span> and her family.</p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tigist</span> is not in school at this time. She likes to jump rope. She helps at home by carrying water. She is in satisfactory health. </p><p>Your sponsorship commitment will help provide <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tigist</span> and her community with the assistance they need to save a generation from the HIV and AIDS crisis. World Vision will faithfully use your sponsorship support of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tigist</span> to meet her needs and minimize the impact of AIDS in her community through tangible prevention and care programs. You are an answer to prayer, helping children and families gain access to basic needs and learn about God's unconditional love.<br /></p></span></b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >PLEASE</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, do what you<br />can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://littlecherubsboutique.auctivacommerce.com/">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-27941497291393088712009-10-07T05:44:00.012-04:002009-10-07T11:41:10.885-04:00Hope is not a denial of reality.<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I've always found it just short of offensive when I hear a nonbeliever refer to Christians as not living in reality or, that we walk around with our head in the clouds. <span style="font-style: italic;">No</span>..... we just have a <span style="font-style: italic;">different way</span> of facing reality. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It's called "HOPE" and I cannot imagine life without it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pastoral counselor Andrew D Lester writes, "Hope does </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >not</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> function as an opiate that causes people to deny reality. In fact, <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">hope provides the courage to face whatever chaos and trauma life throws at us</span>. Hope does not try to avoid the pain of finite existence nor is it naive about suffering."</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">There are many scriptures about hope and one that I love is found in <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 Thessalonians 1:3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ</span>."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"...endurance inspired by <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">hope<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> in our Lord Jesus Christ."</span></span></span></span></span> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What beautiful words! </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><br />Last week, I heard a pastor on the radio</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> make this statement</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> "Hope is not about <span style="font-style: italic;">denying</span> reality. It is about <span style="font-style: italic;">coping</span> with reality." </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >AMEN!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br />TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >PLEASE</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, do what you<br />can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://littlecherubsboutique.auctivacommerce.com/">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-75439010656583619982009-10-02T15:35:00.005-04:002009-10-02T18:44:05.265-04:00"There but by the grace of God, go I."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe6D0JUj7ASGv7gzHNLYygfBXgf2vvjmkZ2IKSDySJ6IWrj5QUbVbscfLP_axZNgpwp1oQSWymB8rAbewDmTAOD6LknUfguM_S729fNMqvKFRrMR8ckWHuDey98MRSwUqFSNP79zjBSnX/s1600-h/virginia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe6D0JUj7ASGv7gzHNLYygfBXgf2vvjmkZ2IKSDySJ6IWrj5QUbVbscfLP_axZNgpwp1oQSWymB8rAbewDmTAOD6LknUfguM_S729fNMqvKFRrMR8ckWHuDey98MRSwUqFSNP79zjBSnX/s400/virginia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388107624420823458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I love fall. It's always been my very favorite time of the year. There's always a sense of anticipation in the air for me during this time. I'm a true "nester" and fall ignites my senses and I'm flooded with wonderful memories of home from the first crisp days of this season. It's a time of making homemade comfort foods like chili, stew and vegetable soup, smelling and hearing a fire in the fireplace and feeling the warmth of a snuggly blanket or down comforter. A perfect day to me is to have a fire in the fireplace, something wonderful in the crockpot sending inviting aromas through the house, snuggled up in a throw, watching snow falling outside.<br /><br />This year, I'm finding my thoughts turning more and more to those who may be <span style="font-style: italic;">dreading</span> this time of year. Their anticipation is not of the blessings of this season, but of the added burdens it brings. For many, there is <span style="font-style: italic;">no</span> warmth, <span style="font-style: italic;">no</span> shelter, <span style="font-style: italic;">no</span> food. Others aren't sure from week to week if they will have to <span style="font-style: italic;">choose </span>between shelter or food because their funds are so limited that they cannot afford both. Food and shelter should not be considered <span style="font-style: italic;">luxury</span> items and yet it seems they've become so for many precious souls. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"There but by the grace of God, go I."</span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br />As I enjoy the beauty of this fall season and the comforts I have, I pray that God shows me <span style="font-style: italic;">many ways</span> in which I can share these comforts with folks who otherwise wouldn't have them. I pray that He will open my eyes to <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> opportunities where I can serve Him by serving others.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Father, let my eyes, my heart and my spirit be open to see others as you do. Let me not pass by a single person with a need that I can meet either in part or in whole. Lord, as I enjoy the comforts of home and food in this season, let my thoughts and prayers turn to those dear people who have so much less and move me to action. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. <span style="font-style: italic;">PLEASE</span>, do what you<br />can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.<br /></span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://littlecherubsboutique.auctivacommerce.com/">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"<br /><br /></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-90601676521238674612009-09-26T07:38:00.006-04:002009-09-26T07:55:59.288-04:00Rest in times of stress.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9uBFm-Uw7dTXq7XCAWcu5qnf_62-SlIvYWoLggdDUBQlxcwVqaRNdVNrGNQJbUPBmAKIxRBMIy1D86LT06IOQABGV9MGPARn0Iqvta_lqTOyJGefTOLpGIlt_7IjKyH6w_VCCLRw7wjs/s1600-h/light.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9uBFm-Uw7dTXq7XCAWcu5qnf_62-SlIvYWoLggdDUBQlxcwVqaRNdVNrGNQJbUPBmAKIxRBMIy1D86LT06IOQABGV9MGPARn0Iqvta_lqTOyJGefTOLpGIlt_7IjKyH6w_VCCLRw7wjs/s320/light.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385743027774845570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwh-mKXXSjzcE6TwLTMwZ09peHNyu_OYXhinecZeQOB_SsK45hMhu938w3pW1lNporxMu_g1f7jLgWUK2rPsq30at3XRyud-wHUl1833fzx3IeVYGoL4pOJhqj5MViHqRZJpzakt0xp5I/s1600-h/light.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 1px; height: 1px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwh-mKXXSjzcE6TwLTMwZ09peHNyu_OYXhinecZeQOB_SsK45hMhu938w3pW1lNporxMu_g1f7jLgWUK2rPsq30at3XRyud-wHUl1833fzx3IeVYGoL4pOJhqj5MViHqRZJpzakt0xp5I/s320/light.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385742157474035442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">So many people are living under stress and pressures these days. If not kept in perspective, the pressures and stress can mound upon us pushing our spirits deeper and deeper into darkness until it seems that there is virtually no light around us. But, there IS light, we just have to catch a glimmer and FOCUS on it instead of the darkness.<br /><br />Are you burdened down with worries these days? Call upon the Lord in prayer. Close your eyes and see yourself laying your head upon his chest as he embraces the cares of your heart away.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Garamond; panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Century Gothic"; panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Century Gothic"; color:#003300; mso-font-kerning:0pt;} p.txbrp1, li.txbrp1, div.txbrp1 {mso-style-name:txbrp1; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Come unto Me and rest</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I heard the voice of Jesus say,<br />Come unto me and rest;<br />Lay down, thou weary one,<br />Lay down Thy head upon my breast.<br />I came to Jesus as I was,<br />Weary, and worn, and sad;<br />I found in him a resting-place,<br />And he has made me glad.<br /><br />I heard the voice of Jesus say,<br />Behold, I freely give<br />The living water; thirsty one,<br />Stoop down and drink, and live.<br />I came to Jesus, and I drank<br />Of that life-giving stream;<br />My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,<br />And now I live in him.<br /><br />I heard the voice of Jesus say,<br />I am this dark world's light;<br />Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,<br />And all thy day be bright.<br />I looked to Jesus, and I found<br />In him my Star, my Sun;<br />And in that light of life I'll walk<br />Till traveling days are done.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h1 style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:85%;">By Horatius Bonar, 1846</span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Century Gothic"; panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Century Gothic"; color:#003300; mso-font-kerning:0pt;} p.txbrp1, li.txbrp1, div.txbrp1 {mso-style-name:txbrp1; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> </div><p class="txbrp1" style="margin: 0.85pt 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="txbrp1" style="margin: 0.85pt 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="txbrp1" style="margin: 0.85pt 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">John 14:27</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://littlecherubsboutique.auctivacommerce.com/">www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"<br /><br /></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-65650728197935094922009-09-21T07:33:00.012-04:002009-09-21T08:32:12.516-04:00Do you have " X-Ray" vision?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE60QSQt5cq7ECe4hfDgkeEyWvXlmcZB5MSHcD0e1sSpkF67rezRmYONB3tq300ybtHjUBY4swlJpOEdE1QJF4rmlsiMlosQgGPmkcFT_ZGUN2yezmvi9llzuFGRGhR1TCBECq_aW4-Uyd/s1600-h/xrayglasses.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE60QSQt5cq7ECe4hfDgkeEyWvXlmcZB5MSHcD0e1sSpkF67rezRmYONB3tq300ybtHjUBY4swlJpOEdE1QJF4rmlsiMlosQgGPmkcFT_ZGUN2yezmvi9llzuFGRGhR1TCBECq_aW4-Uyd/s400/xrayglasses.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383896692197915042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Some of us are old enough to remember comic books. The comics may not always have been entertaining to me, but the ads contained within, sure were. One of my favorite ads was for x-ray vision glasses,<br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">proclaiming, "...many amazing, astounding, illusionary "X-ray" views are yours to see..." If these glasses had really worked, they would have given us a very different view of the world around us. We could have seen things that people usually kept hidden from our view.<br /><br />How differently would we treat people if we could "see" what they keep hidden from the world? What if we could see their hurts, their inner pain, their struggles? Well, we can. We don't need a special pair of glasses because the Holy Spirit can reveal those hidden hurts in others if we are truly seeking to help them. While we can't meet <span style="font-style: italic;">every</span> need that <span style="font-style: italic;">every</span> person has, <span style="font-style: italic;">each</span> of us can do <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span> to meet <span style="font-style: italic;">someone's </span>needs. <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you . . ." Acts 3:6<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today, begin praying for God to give you "X-ray" vision. Ask him to reveal those hidden hurts and needs in others. Then, open your heart and listen for the Holy Spirit to move you to compassionately meet those needs.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-81196191270227662722009-09-18T08:15:00.012-04:002009-09-18T09:55:04.413-04:00Thoughts of suicide? Reach out for hope!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMBaxXW3VLJiBuQONCdfJfw-fs81PiXyf-7d-kU6cBecGViNS2A90VyHxoexgI_CbN3jKIWmaTYuYsw_JmXKktrB1FAbumfJ2-268dDeGZnSF6_JVTof0pZrQ_uAWVTh79c4fqA-fHdIp/s1600-h/the+embrace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMBaxXW3VLJiBuQONCdfJfw-fs81PiXyf-7d-kU6cBecGViNS2A90VyHxoexgI_CbN3jKIWmaTYuYsw_JmXKktrB1FAbumfJ2-268dDeGZnSF6_JVTof0pZrQ_uAWVTh79c4fqA-fHdIp/s320/the+embrace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382804815556135314" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> **The Embrace by artist Chris Hopkins. <br /></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I found myself moved to tears yesterday as I listened to a heartbroken young woman call in to my favorite Christian radio station. Deborah had planned to end her life that very day and was persuaded not to as she listened to other callers expressing the agony they were living through because <span style="font-style: italic;">their</span> loved ones had taken their lives.<br /><br />Having suffered through a major depression episode as a young woman, I know the exhaustion (both mentally and physically) one goes through. I also remember the barrage of negative thoughts that raced through my mind as I tried in vain to pull myself out of the quicksand of hopelessness that washed over my very being. Though I did not want to commit suicide, I had many thoughts of wishing that God would allow me to die. I was in such despair that I just could not imagine myself continuing to go on day after day in such an existence. This was not life, it was an existence and a horrid one.<br /><br />This time in my life was short-lived and as it turns out, was my "rock-bottom". It was also the turning point in my life. I found myself crying out in shear desperation to God whom, I did not know. As His plan would play out, I was invited to attend church. <span style="font-style: italic;">This time </span>I did. Though the experience was extremely foreign to me, when the invitation was given, I almost ran to the alter. Between my desperate sobs, the Pastor's wife explained God's plan of salvation to me and I accepted this life-changing gift.<br /><br />I wish that was the end of the story, that I could tell you that I never had another period of depression. But, that is not the case. What I <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> tell you is that 2 years later, when I found myself sinking back into the "black hole" as I called it, I had a true relationship with Jesus and loving friends at my church. I was encouraged to seek medical help and I was bathed in prayers from those who loved me. Turns out that I had a treatable, <span style="font-style: italic;"> physical medical condition </span>that was the underlying factor of my <span style="font-style: italic;">emotional condition</span>.<br /><br />Fast-forward almost 30 years and I can honestly say that between my faith in God, my personal relationship with Jesus and continuing on the prescribed medicine, I cannot imagine my life being happier.<br /><br />I'm sharing my story in hopes that it may help you or someone you know. I cannot promise that it will be easy to get out of the quicksand that pulls you into the "black hole". </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> I cannot promise that all of your problems will magically disappear. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">BUT, I can promise you that there is HOPE. Hope in the form of a personal relationship with God who loves you - just the way you are. Hope in the form of new friends who will pray for you and with you. Hope, as you discover that you are <span style="font-style: italic;">wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God.</span> Hope as you realize that God loves you......loves you <span style="font-style: italic;">unconditionally</span>.......loves you regardless of what you have done.........loves you <span style="font-style: italic;">just the way you are.</span> Hope, glorious hope, as you begin to believe my favorite scripture which is found in <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Jeremiah 29:11 "</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering."<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Contemporary English Version)</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">PLEASE, </span>if you (or someone you know) are feeling so helpless and hopeless that thoughts of suicide seem to be an answer to ending the despair, PLEASE reach out for hope! Please call:<br /></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:100%;" ><b>National Suicide Prevention Hotline:</b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Deaf Hotline: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889) <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />PLEASE, </span>then call a local church and ask to speak with the pastor or staff counselor immediately.<br /><br />You may also e-mail me at: InspiredDailyLiving@yahoo.com<br />I <span style="font-style: italic;">cannot</span> offer you professional or Pastoral counsel, but I can offer you a compassionate heart, ongoing prayers and e-mail correspondence friendship if you like.<br /><br />There IS hope - just reach out for it.<br />May God's love become a very real presence in your life and overshadow any pain you have been living in. <span style="font-style: italic;">YOU ARE LOVED.</span><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">**Offered on:</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:85%;" > http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/hopkins/the-embrace.htm</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"></span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508741388077894693.post-47465398870782605552009-09-17T08:29:00.006-04:002009-09-17T09:09:25.551-04:00Finding shelter in God during times of trouble.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLjSPpgDBaq9vjsqj9Jo1rVihgl7edTu4E3SPlJWNlp9FVQ5fyQVIE-_67ZrJ3I7pAqWD9GPiwwgrcEHe4A3C1Z6rHCrs1kwzYqCXljRuLKmrtXVeZATUuZZTuOUN049qE9lD1UC8NMM7/s1600-h/eaglewing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLjSPpgDBaq9vjsqj9Jo1rVihgl7edTu4E3SPlJWNlp9FVQ5fyQVIE-_67ZrJ3I7pAqWD9GPiwwgrcEHe4A3C1Z6rHCrs1kwzYqCXljRuLKmrtXVeZATUuZZTuOUN049qE9lD1UC8NMM7/s320/eaglewing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382421717554170066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life. </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"> I'm hiding out under your wings </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"> until the hurricane blows over." Psalm 57:1 (The Message translation)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">If you are a parent, you have probably experienced a time when your child was frightened enough to cling to you for comfort. Sometimes, words are not enough to calm a frightened child. They need to bury their little faces into our chest and feel our reassuring embrace until the upsetting situation passes.<br /><br />We adults can find ourselves in such despair that, like children, we need to feel the arms of our Father holding us securely. We need to be reassured that everything will be all right.<br /><br />The next time you find your heart breaking, your spirit wounded, your mind spinning or in such despair that you don't know what to do, remember David's words in Psalm 57. Close your eyes and picture yourself safely sheltered under God's wings. Feel his reassuring embrace as you bury your face into his chest. Take a long, slow, deep breath and breathe in the calming attitude that surrounds your Father. Let all fear and despair leave your body, mind and spirit as you breathe out.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." (NIV translation)<br /><br />Psalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge: his faithfulness wil be your shield and rampart."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Trust in the secure love of our Father to comfort and shelter you during times of trouble.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.inspirationalgiftsanddecor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com</span></a><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage<br />the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."</span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com</div>Donna Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11398033999360423331noreply@blogger.com0