tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88982120806222164772024-03-05T22:14:38.020-08:00Journey, Discovery, and GrowthLourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-49262185454528466112020-10-23T19:35:00.002-07:002020-10-23T19:36:24.483-07:00Holding on to Hope!<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfHWNQ0KsioUPya768bvLNM5-JEG6_XjB2tC8CeklfVVzy01loLqwynt1ilko44awbVsfnezHtDTcw6yw72MrPf70aI_UeAkoxdXkDjr-zEc2WKD9dq8qwMvTLIc6Fd6k4Hds6qAo89V3/s900/IMG_7405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfHWNQ0KsioUPya768bvLNM5-JEG6_XjB2tC8CeklfVVzy01loLqwynt1ilko44awbVsfnezHtDTcw6yw72MrPf70aI_UeAkoxdXkDjr-zEc2WKD9dq8qwMvTLIc6Fd6k4Hds6qAo89V3/w451-h200/IMG_7405.JPG" width="451" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><div style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I grew up in a loving upper-middle-class family in Baldwin Hills (an area of Los Angeles known as the Black Beverly Hills). My immediate neighbors were professional people of color—doctors, lawyers, producers, educators, actors, ministers, real estate investors, etc. My parents did a great job of providing a safe environment where I was able to grow and thrive. When it came to matters of “race,” I didn’t have a ton of interaction with White people aside from a few of my grade school teachers. With respect to the latter, I didn’t see any difference between us other than our age and skin color, but those things didn’t matter to me. All I knew is that they were kind. My parents also had a few White friends that we visited from time to time. Again, I didn’t notice any differences between us except age, color, and geographic location, but those things didn’t matter. They were kind and we all got along.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">As I grew older, I began to pay attention to the news and hear stories about injustices that took place against people who looked like me. In many instances it seemed like we were looked down upon and I couldn’t quite understand why. The people I knew were mostly upstanding citizens. I got along well with the people of other races that I knew. If others gave it a try, couldn’t they make it work too?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><div style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In elementary school I heard about the beating of Rodney King. Then the city went up in smoke as angry protesters demanded justice. I heard there were the five Black boys in Central Park falsely accused and convicted of assault and rape. I learned about the property tax base and how public schools are funded (making equality in the educational system impossible and stacking the odds against people of color), the atrocities of slavery, three strikes laws, the fact that Black people were considered property (3/5 of a man) by the founding fathers, my father’s own experience as a sharecropper in Louisiana before being drafted into the Navy during World War II. I began to learn about Jim Crow laws, unfair voting laws, institutionalized racism, the great lengths people went to keep people of color from receiving an equal education, standardized testing that isn’t created with the success of diverse people in mind, redlining, and unfair practices in hiring and pay. I learned about how groups composed of Black people that were started to uplift Black people were torn down before they could really take flight. I heard about Emmett Till, who was lynched after being accused of looking at a White woman the wrong way. I learned about Tulsa’s Black Wall Street and the massacre that occurred there in 1921. I started paying attention to the criminal justice system and realized that one out of every three Black men is on paper and understanding the fact that it is by design...</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Whether it was the “by any means necessary” message of Malcom X or the peaceful message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the end result seemed to be untimely death. In the present day, many people were angrier about a Black man kneeling during the National Anthem than they were about an officer kneeling on a Black man’s neck for almost 9 minutes... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">It seemed like Black people just couldn’t win for losing and all we really wanted to do was live, be treated with respect, and BREATHE…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">The stories broke my heart, and so I did the only thing I knew could make things right in an instant…I prayed. I asked God to make everyone love each other and live by the Golden Rule—to treat others the way they would want to be treated. I pleaded with Him, but I soon learned that although He is omnipotent, He provides us with free will. Treating others with love and respect is a choice He allows us to make. This realization made me feel hopeless because humans are—human. Given free will, could we love and respect one another?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Years passed and injustices continued to occur. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Ahmaud Arbery, Tamir Rice, Freddie, Gray, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">The list goes on…and on...and on...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Along with these names and the stories of their murders is the weight of the fact that my husband, my son, my daughters, many of my friends, my family, and I are all guilty of their same crime…We are Black. We are seen as threats because we are Black. Will one of us be next? It is a fear that so many of us experience every single day as we go to work, send our children to school, and walk, run, or ride our bikes through our neighborhoods. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">We have stories about being pulled over because we played our music a little too loud or being profiled as we walked through a convenience store, or being questioned about our presence in an area where we “don’t belong.” Many of us have stories about being on the receiving end of unkind racial jokes. Oftentimes we try to explain our frustrations to non-Black people we considered allies only to be told that our experiences aren’t valid. We have stories of being ticketed for breaking rules that were created the moment we were pulled over—to justify the “routine traffic stops.” We have stories of the injustices that occur in our workplaces—the unfair hiring practices, the exclusion, the unequal pay, the missed opportunities, etc. We spoke these truths for years, but it wasn’t until cell phone videos emerged in recent years that people realized the weight of our claims. They could no longer deny the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><div style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Many people who desire to be allies and advocates ask what can be done to bring about change. Just as the problem can’t be addressed in one sitting, the same is true about the solutions. However, we have to start somewhere and it is the responsibility of all people.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Change will require that we use our ears to hear the concerns of our brothers and sisters who are hurting. We have to listen from a place of love with an empathetic ear. We have to put ourselves in their shoes and listen to understand concerns and fears. We need to hold ourselves accountable when racist or exclusionary thoughts rear their ugly heads in our minds. We have to use our voices and our platforms to speak against injustice. We have to correct our friends and loved ones when they say unkind or inappropriate things about people of different cultures and backgrounds. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><div style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Change consists of doing all we can—walking together, petitioning together, financially supporting worthy causes together, being honest with our children about institutionalized racism and working to eradicate it, being fair in our hiring and promoting practices, making sure we raise our children in such a way that they build strong friendships (and relationships) with people of all different backgrounds. We have to work to change laws that unfairly target members of marginalized communities. We have to vote in officials whose values foster an inclusive environment where ALL PEOPLE are free to live, to be treated with respect, and to BREATHE.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">I was hopeful as a young child. My hope waned as I grew older, but in light of the recent unity I have seen across the globe, I hold on to hope once again. I believe the foundations are being laid and people are choosing to do the right thing—to stand up to discrimination, inequality, and injustice. People are choosing to fight for a brighter future for their posterity--and that makes me proud. Change won't come easy, but it will come and it will be worth it. As I do my part to make change a reality, I am determined to continue choosing love and I challenge you to do the same.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-67304433043873641522019-10-26T05:43:00.000-07:002019-10-26T05:43:07.954-07:00A Small Exercise in Obedience<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(I pulled this from one of my journal entries. It was written on September 10, 2018...)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sooo…I see God. I see that He has been
giving me small lessons in obedience over the course of the past year. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
girls and I went to New Orleans for Labor Day weekend. Before the trip I
visited the travel section in Target and I felt a prompting to purchase band aids.
When it happened, I had a little back and forth with the Holy Spirit. I NEVER
keep band aids on me. (I probably should, but I don’t.) Why on earth would I need
them for this trip? Purchasing them would be a waste of a dollar. The prompting
was so strong that I threw them in the basket.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">While packing I struggled with where to put
the band aids. I put them in a travel case I was checking and then I felt like
I should probably put two in my purse, just in case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn’t use or need a single band aid in
New Orleans, which I was very aware of by the time I made it back to Cali. So
WHHHYYY did I need them? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flash forward.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past Friday at work, out of the blue Sarah (one of my co-workers) asked me if I happened to have a band aid. When I tell you…no one (besides my
kids) has ever asked me for a band aid (that I remember), I mean no one. I was
shocked. “As a matter of fact, I do.” I eagerly got it out of my purse and told
her how I never just have band aids in my purse, but I felt like I needed to
put two in there just a little over a week ago. I asked if she needed another
and she said no…just the one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday (Sunday) I was sitting in church.
Shan was preaching. Out of the blue a lady named Porsha turned to me and asked if
I have a band aid. (Somehow she had cut her finger.) I eagerly reached in my
purse and pulled out the second band aid. She probably thought I was crazy
because of how excited I was. “I have Neosporin in the car if you need that
too…Do you need me to put it on for you?” (In hindsight, my reaction was hilarious.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting here writing, I realize that in both
situations I offered more than what was needed. I don’t think that is
necessarily a bad thing because I had a pure heart when I offered. I was just
happy to be able to help and wanted the ladies to know it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m so grateful for that experience and
thankful that it all ended up making sense. No one in my family needed the band
aids (praise God), but He had me get them for two of His children that He
knew would need them and ask me for one. Wow!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I don’t pass all my tests, but I passed this
one. </span>I see that I need to get to a
place where I don’t reason with the Holy Spirit at all—where I just do what He
says to do without asking any questions BUT I am also happy to know that when I
have strong promptings it is indeed Him. I also have a feeling that a bigger
assignment is coming and that He is giving me small ones to show me how to
recognize His leading when it happens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I thank Him for the training sessions...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-15559307198272611312018-10-06T18:51:00.001-07:002018-10-06T18:51:34.550-07:00The Great Flood<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">When I was in middle school, I attended my brother’s high
school graduation. One young man incorporated a proverb in his graduation speech
that still resonates with me today—25 years later. It goes something like this:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">There was a man who lived in
Mississippi during the time of the great flood. Before the storm hit,
newscasters warned residents of the destruction that would occur because of the
storm, but that one man had great faith in God. He just knew that he didn’t have
anything to worry about because God was gonna to take care of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The storm hit. It rained like never
before. The man stood on his lawn and watched as the water came down. It had
already flooded past his boots when a little boat came by and the man on the
boat said, “Sir, the dam’s gonna bust. Get on board and let me save you.” The
man with great faith in God refused. “God’s a-gonna take care of me!” he said in
his thick Southern accent. And so the boat continued on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">About six hours later, the dam had
busted and the man stood on top of his roof watching as the water came down. Once
again the water had risen past his boots. A larger boat came by and the man on
the boat said, “Sir…the dam’s busted. There’s no way you’ll survive if you stay
out here. Get on board and let me save you!” The man with great faith refused.
He said, “God’s a-gonna take care of me.” And so the larger boat continued on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">About an hour later, the rain was still
coming down. The man stood on top of his chimney and watched as the water fell.
He was looking for God to intercede in a big way! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">A helicopter flew overhead and the
captain dropped down a rope for the man. “Sir,” he called through his bullhorn,
“the dam’s busted. Grab ahold of the rope and let me save you.” The man with
great faith looked at him and said loud and proud, “God’s a-gonna take care of
me.” The helicopter flew on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The man with great faith ended up
dying in that flood and when he made it to heaven he could hardly wait to talk
with God. On that great day, he pointed a finger at the LORD and said, “What
happened? I thought you were gonna take care of me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">And God said, “You dummy, I sent you
two boats and a helicopter!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I remember laughing out loud when I heard this. It still
makes me laugh when I say it and use all the accents and sounds that I imagine.
Oddly enough, I recited this proverb to a group of kids a few weeks ago.
Shortly after that I was presented with a “great flood” of my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">My daughter turns 16 in a couple months and she wants to
have a Sweet 16. I’m a very frugal mom, so I told her years ago that I wasn’t
doing anything big for any of her birthdays…BUT, I told her that she could have
a really nice party when she turned 16. (And then 16 kinda snuck up on me.) :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Anyway, one of my play sisters is helping me put
everything together because she wants the day to be very special for Amari. She
has been working diligently to solidify a location, decorations, and all that
other good stuff. We had pretty much settled on one location not too far from
where I live, but I wasn’t thrilled about the price. HOWEVER, it was the most
affordable of the places she checked, so I told the manager of the venue that I
would come in to pay the deposit in a couple of days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">As soon as I sent the manager that email, I cried out to
God. I left the parking lot of my job and stopped at the traffic light between
the parking lot and the freeway. While I sat there, I wondered how I would pay
such a large amount for the venue without making unwise decisions with my
money. I reminded Him that I am trying to be a better steward, but I had made a
promise to Amari that I intended to keep. I thought about giving Him an IOU for
my tithes money, but as soon as I thought it I reminded myself that God has
been amazing to me and that was one area I wouldn’t compromise. I looked to my
left and saw a 7-Eleven. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The LOTTO</i>, I
thought. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I could hit that really
quick…boom boom</i>. Naw…that wasn’t it. Maybe I could ask my brother and
sister if they wanted to make a donation towards her party. Naw. That wasn’t
it. I thought about all the little treats for myself I would have to put on
hold to make this make sense—my pumpkin spice fraps, my hairdos, my own
birthday festivities. I didn’t want to make those sacrifices, but I would if I
had to. The light changed and I begged God to work it out. I didn’t know what
He would do, but I needed Him to do something. I got on the freeway and made my
way to Amari.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Once she was in the car, we headed to the gas station and
my phone rang. It was my play sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have some great
news,” she said. She told me that one of the places she had contacted had
finally gotten back to her and the date we wanted for Amari’s party was
available. It was less than half the cost of the venue I was planning to put
the deposit on, and she was certain they would offer a bigger discount to paid
club members. She also told me that we could rent the spot for the entire day
and would not have to rush to set up or break down the event. She mentioned a
few other perks, but I looked over at Amari and said, “I don’t know…That is a
little further away and Amari really had her mind set on the place closer to
us. Let me think about it and get back to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I hung up the phone and said, “What do you think Amari?
You look sad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">She said, “Mommy…I look like this because I don’t feel
well. It really doesn’t matter to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I went back and forth with myself for a few minutes and
then I realized that God was trying to take care of me and I was behaving like
the man in the proverb. It had been less than an hour since I cried out and asked
Him to help me—to make a way, and He had provided a MUCH more affordable
alternative at a VERY nice location—one that is meaningful to me even…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The path He directed me toward wasn’t the “way” that I
was expecting. I almost missed out, but I’m thankful I recognized His hand in
the matter before it was too late. I called my play sister back and told her
the story of the man in the great flood and how I could see that God was
answering the prayer that I had JUST prayed. It would have been foolish of me not
to jump on the opportunity. I asked her to go ahead and book the new location. I
told her I would reach out to the initial place and let them know that we had
found another venue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">(Side note: The next day, the initial venue reached out
to me before I could reach out to them and said that the date I wanted wasn’t
available after all. They had already received a deposit check from someone
else and they were soooo sorry. I told them it was ok. We had already found
another option. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I SEE YOU, GOD. </i>Wow…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">There’s still a great deal more planning to do, but I’m
thankful to be taking this journey with God. He continues to work things out
when I pray and then get out of the way and allow Him to do what He does! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-17869556475742054072018-09-10T11:03:00.002-07:002018-09-10T11:12:02.806-07:00A Simple "Yes"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2VLV8FJ2-pwG7KufI9YGFTIYUOMh4iMqgzC6XXGipmbnRrm5s2Q0BLVeX_RvxLtAWbrW_l6KolPCCVLK6X1EIyWRQV_4LLxX1_I2e5-l0-q8-5_4O_ATcd5oUwT7oLPJQa12Dc4zAyYP/s1600/biblestudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2VLV8FJ2-pwG7KufI9YGFTIYUOMh4iMqgzC6XXGipmbnRrm5s2Q0BLVeX_RvxLtAWbrW_l6KolPCCVLK6X1EIyWRQV_4LLxX1_I2e5-l0-q8-5_4O_ATcd5oUwT7oLPJQa12Dc4zAyYP/s320/biblestudy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: white;">During my time off from work I had the privilege of being a part of a weekday bible study (Life Group). <span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_107_263" role="button" tabindex="0">Approximately 12 women would get together Tuesday mornings after we dropped our little ones off at school and we would fellowship, study, and pray together.</span> It was such a wonderful experience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">When I went back to work, my schedule wasn’t flexible enough to be a part of that weekday morning Life Group experience, and the way my evenings and weekends are set up, I already knew that I probably wouldn’t join another one right away. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Shortly after I started working I felt a strong prompting to facilitate a bible study group at my job. Let me admit, I’m working on my immediate obedience. My reasoning prevented me from doing anything right away. My reasoning reminded me that I was just a temporary employee and my assignment could end any day. My reasoning told me that my fellow co-workers might not want to use their lunch breaks in such a way. My reasoning told me that even if the women I asked agreed to participate, it would probably just be because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings—especially considering they were just as seasoned or more seasoned women of God than I am. My reasoning said it would be difficult to reserve space for our study since I work for a non-religious company.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">But still I felt deeply that I should take steps to make it happen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Early one morning when I couldn’t sleep for thinking about the study, I bought a 7-week video series (and leader’s guide) and then I bought the children’s version of the study as well. (One thing that often forces me to move is when I have a made a financial investment in something. Spending my money meant I would have to <i>do </i>something.) I figured if the women at work didn’t want to do the study with me, I would do the adult version myself and then do the children’s version with my girls. <span style="color: black;"><br /><span style="color: white;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">That week, I reached out to a few ladies who had been on my heart to see if they would be interested in studying with me. Everyone I asked said yes. A couple of them even invited others to participate. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Reserving the space made me a little anxious, but with the help of my co-workers (and after quite a bit of trial and error), I figured out how to do it. I emailed the ladies with a link to purchase their study guides along with information about how often and where the studies would be held.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Let me say…During that 7-session study period, God moved in each of our lives. It was such a powerful study that even before it finished, one of the ladies (not pictured) said that she would love to do another one once it was over. She even volunteered to lead. (Praise God!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">When the second 7-session study (which we realized from the first study would be better if spread out over a 14-week period) neared an end, everyone agreed that we wanted to do another 7-session (14 week) study. This time I suggested one that I had done with my Life Group in the past and I volunteered to lead again. (We are 3 weeks into that study now.) <span style="font-family: "wingdings" , serif , "emojifont";">J</span> Iron sharpens iron. We also share situations we are facing in our professional and personal lives, and we pray for and with one another. It’s awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">One thing that is interesting is that I don’t think any of us have started the studies thinking, “This is just what I need for what I am going through right now,” but as we have studied each of us has seen that what we are studying is just what we need for what we are going through at the time. A couple ladies admitted that they originally said yes just because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings, but they ended up being so blessed because of that yes. One participant did our first study with the women in her family, and another is looking to start a study with her family as well. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">I’m thankful for this group of women! I’m thankful that God put it on my heart to ask them if they wanted to study with me. I’m even more thankful that He was patient with me during the couple months it took to build up enough courage to do something about His prompting. (I can so relate to Gideon, who needed constant reassurance from God that everything would be alright.) I’m always amazed to see what God can do with a simple (often timid) yes. To God be the glory! </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">(Three ladies are not pictured. <span style="font-family: "wingdings" , serif , "emojifont";">J</span>)</span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-47016953077066570472016-10-13T06:37:00.001-07:002016-10-13T13:16:31.762-07:00Let Love Lead<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a ROUGH day yesterday but I'm so thankful for the whisper of love that ended it on a very positive note. I was at the grocery store...hoping not to see anyone I know because I was in a foul mood and looked a hot mess! I was disappointed because I couldn't find the store brand Italian salad dressing (which was only $1.79 🙌🏾) when a lady says, "Hi, Lou." I wanted to scream and crawl under a rock. Who could this possibly be!?!?! I turned around slowly. The lady looked familiar but it took me a few seconds to place her and when I did I can't tell you how happy I was.</span></div>
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A few years back the lady at the grocery store moved in next door to us and my hubby and I, seeing that she was moving everything by herself, thought it would be nice to help her. A year later I sold our place and we moved. I haven't seen that neighbor since. Seeing her yesterday really brightened my day because she was always so kind and pleasant. I gave her two humongous hugs and she said that she misses us but she is so happy I sold my place to the people I did because she absolutely loves them. </div>
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That made me reminisce...I had a few offers on the table back then but I chose to sell to a lady who was buying a home for her and her 80-year-old mother. The love she had for her mom reminded me of the love I had for my mom. Theirs was a pure love that I could just feel. Her mom was feisty, funny, and beautiful just like my mom. Her mom requested that I throw my rug in the deal because it was full of circles and in their culture circles are a symbol of prosperity. Anything for her. 😊</div>
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Years later my husband and I have been told more than once how sweet they are. The daughter got married and her husband is a kind man as well. It makes me sooo happy to know that they are there enjoying, loving, and blessing those around them and that it is because of a choice I made--one that I'm sure others thought was crazy. </div>
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I'm glad I'm not afraid to let Love lead me.</div>
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Anyway, after chatting with my old neighbor and bidding her farewell, I found the $1.79 salad dressing sitting on the shelf as plain as day. I grabbed the bottle, headed to pick up a can of tomatoes (for chili) and then to self-checkout.</div>
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I thank God for little whispers of love. He knows just how much I need them. ❤️</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7cd8ydosKnxW4hBMFeLmPAwnJgJz_b6mvKOrQ_gsdWtAZzQkZByQ7T6t7Sgq69wRqU8uhMnIHehiSwHpOgQV_msPyC1tBgOFIHoz4BN5UpthmIifxEnxAwyTnPiD3NjUlev8qOwTzENQ/s1600/thumbnail_FullSizeRender-1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7cd8ydosKnxW4hBMFeLmPAwnJgJz_b6mvKOrQ_gsdWtAZzQkZByQ7T6t7Sgq69wRqU8uhMnIHehiSwHpOgQV_msPyC1tBgOFIHoz4BN5UpthmIifxEnxAwyTnPiD3NjUlev8qOwTzENQ/s1600/thumbnail_FullSizeRender-1.jpg" /></a>Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-61755745334175242892016-09-19T19:08:00.000-07:002016-09-19T19:08:57.969-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">No One Ever Told Me<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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By Loureva Slade<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that loving
him didn’t necessarily mean that he would love me back<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that it would take true love a
while to erase the heartache caused by those before<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that I
wouldn’t be able to protect them from all of life’s bumps and bruises<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that they could seem so much
like me that it would be hard to let them grow into themselves<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that I could
be angry enough to say things I would later live to regret<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that for whatever reason, at
times my best intentions would be seen as so much less<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that our
religious beliefs could put a strain on our friendship<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that I would think of you all
these years later and wonder if you ever came to know the One I love so much<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that my being
kind didn’t necessarily mean that I would be treated with respect<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that walking away from “good
things” would sometimes be necessary to lead me to “great things”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that I would
have to work so hard to achieve my goals<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that I would often struggle
not to give up along the way<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that others
might not always be able to see my vision<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that I might have to believe
in myself enough to keep pressing on anyhow<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that God would
sometimes say no to the things I asked (and often begged) for<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that I would have to learn to
fully trust Him for my sustenance and strength<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that
experiencing death would make me look at life completely differently<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Or that years later I would still
think about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i> every single hour of
every single day<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that my many
quirks are what make me special<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that I would sometimes feel
different than others because God set me apart<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one ever told me that
happiness is an inside job<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or that as long as I looked for
it outside of my Creator I would be waiting on invisible buses<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And it made me so mad to think about
all the things that no one ever told me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Until I realized that quite
possibly, quite a few had told me in various ways on multiple occasions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I just didn’t listen<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Because I didn’t like what they
had to say<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps I was just stubborn <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Or one of those people who needed
to live it to learn it<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Either way I’m happy that now I
know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I understand. I have grown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And I’m thankful for who I have
become <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
because of all the things <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I thought </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
no one ever told me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-41895136186035811342016-09-15T11:20:00.000-07:002016-09-15T11:20:12.544-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HXQRn3vzywXCFZ87aZ6oQSE5bRf1GikHGZAGt_U_AZSEA0696BwERF3epcLfJtLW9pevq5IHugmiaWyWgjTMIPrPR3cxTvBwOIabeImQ8i-9oL4buATr_ZkaEfh18JNd5wKfpOdpsUoC/s1600/thumbnail_FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HXQRn3vzywXCFZ87aZ6oQSE5bRf1GikHGZAGt_U_AZSEA0696BwERF3epcLfJtLW9pevq5IHugmiaWyWgjTMIPrPR3cxTvBwOIabeImQ8i-9oL4buATr_ZkaEfh18JNd5wKfpOdpsUoC/s320/thumbnail_FullSizeRender-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><br /></b></h3>
<h3>
<b><br /></b></h3>
<h2>
<b>Who Knows Why?</b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A few months ago I led a women’s bible
study where we talked about the importance of understanding our purpose. I gave
each lady an individual assignment. They had five minutes to take a sheet of
paper and create anything they wanted with it. There were only two rules—each
woman was responsible for her own creation and each had to give her creation a
purpose. After the women finished creating, the other women in the group had an
opportunity to look at each creation, say what it was, and assign a purpose to
it. Then I asked each creator if the other ladies had guessed correctly. Nine
times out of 10 the guesses had been incorrect. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In my own case I made what looked
like a bowl sitting next to a balled up piece of paper. The women assigned
labels and purposes to my creation that were good, deep, noble, even…but they
were incorrect. We were in bible study, so I guess it made sense to assume that
I had made a prayer box and a heart (or something like that), but that wasn’t
at all the case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I told them that I’m usually not that
deep of a thinker. I like things to be fun and simple. My mind was on children
when I made my creation. I thought if I made a paper basketball and “net” for
the children it would bring smiles to their faces and give them something fun
to do. Everyone looked perplexed. I’m sure they wondered what children I was
talking about. Or what these children had to do with anything. I smiled. That
was my point exactly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When it comes to purpose, it’s
easy to be confused or get things wrong because of incorrect assumptions. Who better
to ask the purpose of a thing than the one who created it? He would know better
than anyone else his reason for making it, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We spend a great deal of our
lives trying to figure out why we are here and why we go through certain things.
We try to make sense of why we were born in a certain region or why our parents
were the way they were. Why this? Why that? Why not this? Why not that? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Who better to ask than the One
who created us? I’m certain He knows. I’m also positive He wants us to know our
purpose so that we can do the things we were created to do. First we must look
to Him for the answers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s evident that God’s mind is
much more brilliant and complex than the mind of man. Yes, we were made in His
image, but that doesn’t mean that your purpose is to singlehandedly end world hunger,
eliminate poverty, and found an internet start-up that unites pets across the
land. Those are noble things, but they might not be what He had in mind when he
made you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I can say that we were created to
glorify God, but my knowledge stops there. You don’t want to look to me to tell
you the specifics about why you were created because I have no idea. I wouldn’t
even suggest that you ask yourself what your purpose is, because you’d be
guessing at best, and getting it wrong could be costly. I would, however, encourage
you to have a conversation with the Creator, take a look into His word, and open
your heart to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the reasons you are here. He may
not reveal it all at one time, but that’s ok. It’s better to take small steps
in His will than big steps outside of it. You can trust that He will direct
your steps along the right path when you look to Him for guidance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I spent a lot of time searching
for answers to my whys in all the wrong places—self-help books and television
shows that promised to fix everything, Sunday services, and even inside my own
mind. It wasn’t until I asked God, the One who created me, why He made me that
I truly began to see the plans that He has for me. Looking back, I realize that
He had been preparing me all along. I realized that the things He wanted me to
do are the things I had been doing all along—writing, speaking, encouraging. (Recently
it became <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> clear to me that God
wants me to thoroughly understand the depths of His love so that I can express
it to others and pique their interests about what exactly it means to be
wrapped in His love. Interestingly, as I open myself to experience the fullness
of His love, I can’t help but want to share my testimony and encourage others
to do the same.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And as He continues to reveal my
assignments to me I partner with Him to make sure they are done to the very
best of my ability, with a spirit of excellence. I’m thankful because knowing
my purpose allows me to walk in it. It also makes it easier to walk away from
those things that don’t align with it. That is liberating. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There is freedom in purposeful
living.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Blessings,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lou</div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-88773204495410384692016-09-12T11:47:00.001-07:002016-09-12T11:47:44.179-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3c2Y1A-fZmWZqzptjADSDZVHtMEle1-YnTEzWwHng0qgkW0tubhYv_famW25MmJs-0LkR7SIohtmcplwu14Yi7hlwWe2qAjNDHTXYDuv4o4m6vyXeUXwYOd25Ok8EepZnCIDxtK0Unb8/s1600/thumbnail_The-Thing-About-Love-eBook.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3c2Y1A-fZmWZqzptjADSDZVHtMEle1-YnTEzWwHng0qgkW0tubhYv_famW25MmJs-0LkR7SIohtmcplwu14Yi7hlwWe2qAjNDHTXYDuv4o4m6vyXeUXwYOd25Ok8EepZnCIDxtK0Unb8/s320/thumbnail_The-Thing-About-Love-eBook.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Greetings!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm so excited to announce that I have published my first full collection of short stories and I can't wait to share them with you. THE THING ABOUT LOVE consists of fourteen fictional short stories set in urban Los Angeles. Each examines the nuances of relational love between either parent and child, husband and wife, friend and foe, or God and humanity. It is a playful, authentic, thought-provoking, and emotional collection that will leave you feeling inspired, encouraged and hopeful about the things that come with love. I hope you will check it out and order your copy today. :)</div>
<br />To order a signed copy, please visit <a href="http://lourevaslade.com/">LourevaSlade.com</a>.<br /><br />For the Kindle version, feel free to order on <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>.<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />Lou</span>Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-50928489936832175212016-01-07T08:43:00.001-08:002016-01-07T08:43:31.078-08:00All I Had Was One Line (Excellence)
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All I Had Was One Line<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By Loureva Slade<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All I had was one line. I had two
choices—treat it like it didn’t matter or give it everything I had. I chose the
latter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was one of the leads in the
drama department at my high school. Everyone knew I wanted to be an actress. It
may have been because the class was small and there weren’t many options for
lead roles or it may have been because I had potential and my teacher actually
believed in me, but each year I was in play production I had a lead role and
quite a few lines to remember.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That wasn’t the case in the
acting classes I took on the side. I was shy. I was a little insecure. Everyone
seemed so much better than me. There were professional actors in my class. (To
this day I see quite a few of my former classmates on television and in movies.)
The parts I got there were typically of the write-in nature…one liners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll never forget the year-end
performance for my "acting classes on the side"—it was a soulful take on the musical Annie. I was given one line:
“Oh my God, it’s Gary Bordy.” I was supposed to excitedly run to center stage from
off stage right and hug the actor who played Gary Bordy. For some reason, when
the lights came on and it was time for my part, I actually “became” the girl
who was excited to see Gary Bordy. I ran top speed screaming “Oh my God, it’s
Gary Bordy” and I leaped long before I was close to him. I
threw my arms in the air and he caught me, thank God. I hung on for dear life, smiling,
and enjoying the moment. The audience roared with laughter. In the moment, I
added another line, less well received, and then I excitedly walked off stage
left. All I had was one line, and I made the choice to treat it like the most
important line in the whole play. My performance was memorable for many, I’m
sure. And the whole experience for me was priceless with lasting impact.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My one line shaped so much of who
I am and what I believe today. I learned that no matter how small a role I have,
I should always play my part with excellence, as unto the Lord. Whether I am
running an event, or making calls to tell people about an event, I give it
everything I’ve got. Whether I’m writing a paragraph for a newsletter or
penning a short story for publication, I give it everything I’ve got. Whether I
am talking to my daughters about being kind to others or encouraging a large
audience, I give it everything I’ve got. Whether I am studying for a quiz or
studying for a midterm, I give it everything I’ve got. I’m not a perfectionist,
but I possess a spirit of excellence. When it is all said and done, I am always
pleased with my results because whether I win or lose, pass or fail, meet a
goal or fall a little short, I hold my head high because I have done my
absolute best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-24329499790125141242015-11-04T14:48:00.000-08:002015-11-04T14:48:47.012-08:00<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Today I re-read my journal entry from August 20th and thought I'd share...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">August 20, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I saw a mountain
move today. Let me write that a little more forcefully. I ACTUALLY saw a
mountain move today!!! And my eyes filled with tears as I stood in awe of God’s
glory all around me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Shan and I went
hiking. As soon as we got there, he started up a mountain. I was hesitant.
Going up doesn’t scare me as much as coming down does—especially when I’m
wearing my ancient shoes with the holes at the top and the slick bottoms. As we
headed up I felt anxious. I had to talk to myself. I had to pray. I had to
rebuke negative thoughts and images of falling or having to run or roll down
because of a ferocious animal chasing us. It was difficult, but by the time we
made it down, I was happy. My anxieties melted away. I was thankful because I had
made it safely up and down. I felt victorious. I told God that I was no longer
afraid now that I had actually done it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had seen that it was possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Flash forward. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">We continued
walking through winding dirt trails and when we headed back to the car Shan
stopped to take a breather, so I stopped too. I turned around and faced the
mountain behind me and the most amazing thing happened. I could see it
moving—not by giant leaps and bounds, but it was like there was energy coming
out of it as it slowly moved away from me. The air around it moved toward me.
“Shan, do you see this?” I asked excitedly. “The mountain is moving!” He
couldn’t see it. There was a stillness on the left side of me, but on the right
I could feel the breath of God swiftly blowing past my ear. Inside my heart, I
heard the words, “Faith can move mountains.” Wow! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">With God all things
are possible. What seems impossible for us is very possible for Him. He really
can move mountains—if only we believe. And what more could He do through us if
we didn’t allow fear and doubt to dwell in our minds. How much more victorious
could we be if we made it to a place where we trust He’s got us without having
to see a thing? It reminds of John 20:29: “</span><span class="text">Then Jesus
told him, </span><span class="woj">“Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">After my mountain experience, I believe! He
allowed me to see the impossible happen. I will rest in the knowing that God’s
got this!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-18243731377819065912015-10-09T08:17:00.000-07:002015-10-09T08:17:07.204-07:00It is Good
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: white; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">When reading the creation story in Genesis recently,
something stood out to me for the first time. After each thing God created, He
made a point to acknowledge that it was good. And after making man and woman (the
pinnacle of creation) He took it a step further and acknowledged that all of
His creation was VERY GOOD. In other words, God gave Himself props! This made
me think. How often do we take time to reflect on the good things we have done
and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done? As believers, we are taught
not to toot our own horn. We don't want to be perceived as big headed or full
of ourselves so we downplay our successes and accomplishments. But there is nothing
wrong with celebrating the kingdom impact you have been able to make through
Christ's strength. The bible says that the error is in thinking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</i> highly of yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: white; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: background1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: white; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I get so caught up
in the busyness of life that I don’t stop long enough to catch my breath and acknowledge
the things I have done that are good. Once I complete one project, I’m off to
the next. Interestingly there have been times in my life when I have felt like
I haven’t done enough or accomplished enough. I’ll get down on myself because I
feel like I should be further along than I am. But honestly, I’m right where I
am for a divine reason.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: white; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a recent conversation with
my husband, he encouraged me to to take a moment and list out my
accomplishments of the last three years. He bought me a poster board and insisted
I write everything down. At first the thought made me extremely uneasy, but
after a while I realized that creating the list would be a great way to see
just how God has blessed and been able to use me over the years. The list would
be a reminder of His power and His ability to take seeming impossible and
hopeless situations and use them for His glory. The list would give me visual
touchstones and help me focus on the fact that God always answers prayers,
makes ways, and has the final say in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: white; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I sat and wrote out my
list, I couldn’t help but smile. My mind was flooded with memories of some
pretty amazing things I have been able to accomplish with God’s help—I’m a published,
best-selling, award nominated author, I am the co-founder of a powerful
inspirational newsletter for Christian young women (C.A.L.I. Girl), I have
spoken at multiple empowerment events for young women throughout the city of
Los Angeles, I co-lead a weekly women’s bible study at a homeless shelter, I
have been able to make a few financial contributions to organizations I respect
that support and uplift young women in urban communities, and I have helped
others realize and accomplish their kingdom assignments as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: white; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven’t done nearly as much
as I hope to do before my time on earth ends, but I definitely have reasons to
be proud of my accomplishments. I don’t need outside validation because I can
give it to myself. I’m living in my purpose and I’m on the right track.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you haven’t already, I encourage you to think
about the things you have accomplished over the past three to five years. Write
them down on a sheet of paper or on a poster board and title them “It is Good.”
Visit this list as often as you need to remind yourself that although you still
have work to do, you have already made strides in the right direction. Avoid
including things you hope to accomplish—as the place for those things would be
a vision board. Remember, the purpose of your list is not to make you
complacent, but to help you see all that you’ve been able to accomplish with
God’s help in spite of the challenges you’ve faced. It’s your testimony! I pray
that your list will encourage you along your journey as mine is encouraging me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-48515399694044576002015-06-01T19:42:00.002-07:002015-06-01T19:42:35.496-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi there,</div>
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</div>
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I'm so excited about my first book signing! Please join Best-Selling Authors LaChelle Weaver, Cheryl Ashford Daniels and me at the Chocolate Boutique in Morrisville, NC June 13th from 4-6pm. You're sure to have a great time! I hope to see you there. :)</div>
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<br />Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-28750663578479692862015-03-12T19:57:00.001-07:002015-04-08T12:26:41.771-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don't Look Back</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God wants to bless you. But
sometimes the blessing He wants to give you requires leaving your comfort zone
and launching out into unknown and sometimes uncharted territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you trust Him enough to be obedient? Do
you trust Him enough to leave the familiar? Do you believe that what lies ahead
is better than what is behind you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to the account in
Genesis 18 and 19, Abraham’s cousin Lot and his family lived in a city called Sodom.
God was extremely displeased with the moral corruption of Sodom and its
neighboring city, Gomorrah, and planned to destroy them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham pleaded on behalf of his relative to at
least spare Lot and his immediate family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God agreed, however, in order for them to live they had to flee Sodom,
head to a different city, and keep their eyes in front of them. God’s angels
warned Lot’s family not to look back or else they, too, would be destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lot and his daughters followed
the instructions given by the angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lot’s wife did not. Soon after they set off, she disobeyed God and
looked back at Sodom. The moment she took her eyes off the promised blessing
and looked back in the direction of her past, she immediately turned into a
pillar of salt! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bible doesn’t specify why
Lot’s wife looked back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps she
wanted to see whether Sodom would indeed be destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe she wanted a final look at the home
she had grown to know and love. But whatever the reason, she was disobedient
and the results were deadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although there are numerous
lessons to be learned from this account, a few things stand out to me during
this season of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, when God tells us to do
something, we must do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disobedience
has deadly consequences. We cannot afford to compromise. We must take action to
passionately follow His commands, understanding that obedience is always better
than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22b). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second, God is a loving God who
has wonderful things in store for His children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is also true to His word. When He urges you to leave your comfort
zone, step into the unknown, and put your complete trust in Him, He is able to bless
you exceeding abundantly above all you can ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
In essence, all roads of trust and obedience lead to blessings!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, don’t look back. Don’t
allow yourself to return to the comfort zone of your past. Don’t even flirt
with the idea of returning. Be confident that what you have left behind doesn’t
compare to what He is calling you to step into!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-63122873995554212032015-02-24T16:55:00.001-08:002015-02-24T16:55:10.756-08:00THE DATING GAME<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am excited to announce that I am officially a published author. Please check out my short story, "Holiday Party," in the Amazon #1 Best Seller THE DATING GAME. The anthology is comprised of 16 stories by 17 talented authors. Each story is really good and I'm so thankful to be a part of it. Purchase your copy today and leave a review on Amazon.</div>
<br />
Thank you,<br />
Lou<br />
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-77030337790476981262015-02-07T22:50:00.003-08:002015-02-07T22:51:12.232-08:00He Just Loved Me<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was devastated when I first
found out I was pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a
sophomore in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t married.
I wasn’t even in a relationship with my child’s father. I was nowhere near
financially stable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t feel I was
mature enough or kind enough or selfless enough or wise enough to raise a
baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters worse, I was the
pastor’s daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sang in the
choir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a Sunday School teacher. I
should have known better. If I chose to keep the baby I would prove to be the
stereotypical rebellious P.K. (preacher’s kid) and my secret sin would be
exposed to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I felt so ashamed. I just knew
that my mom and dad would be disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I remember thinking that terminating the pregnancy would be my best
option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way only God and a couple
friends would know about my indiscretion. I just hoped that God would forgive
me for the choice I planned to make.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I scheduled my doctor’s
appointment for a Tuesday and was certain the test in her office would confirm
the results of two tests I had already taken at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was prepared to tell her that I didn’t want
to go through with the pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
rehearsed the conversation in my mind as I headed to my parents’ home the day
before my scheduled appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was during that car ride that
the Holy Spirit spoke to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It will be
alright,” He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shook my head. I must not have
heard correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It will be alright,” He said
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry about what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people </i>think. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</i> am with you and it will be
alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, your parents will be
disappointed, but they will love you and your child unconditionally.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I voiced my many other concerns,
but God assured me that He would help me, that my child was a blessing, and
that He would provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I am her Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will be fine,” He assured me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember feeling an overwhelming
sensation of love after talking honestly with my heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard about His love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I understood the depths of His
love, but my conversation with Him during that car ride was when I really felt
the power of His love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He loved me so much that He was
willing to forgive me on the spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wasn’t angry with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just loved me. He
even promised to bless my child (and me). He offered peace, if only I would
trust Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promised not to let me
fall. That’s some kind of love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Twelve years later, I look back
and see that God was true to His word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I first told my parents, they both responded in love—especially my
dad, who said that they would do whatever they could to support me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he absolutely meant it. As long as they
lived they earnestly loved my daughter. They did above and beyond what was required
to make sure she knew how loved she was. I was initially worried about
graduating from college on time. I graduated on time and with honors. I didn’t
start out as an affectionate or selfless mom. I had a lot of growing up to do. But
God was right there with me. I can honestly say that I am now a wonderful mom.
And just as God promised, my daughter has been such a blessing to me. I’m still
not where I want to be financially, but my daughter has not “needed” for
anything—God has provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I encourage you to cast your
cares upon God because He cares for you. He will quiet your anxieties and give
you peace that surpasses understanding, if only you will trust Him. Rest
assured, when He makes a promise, He is faithful to keep it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-6920392293620947552014-12-23T17:11:00.001-08:002014-12-23T17:11:12.110-08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
THE ME THAT REMAINS<br />by Loureva Slade <br /><br />Those who really know me, know that I am very silly. I love to laugh and have a good time. (Even when I’m at home by myself, my silly thoughts keep me quite entertained.)<br /><br />Anyway, the other day, I got an idea. I put on my partial wig (that I bought for $20) and an outfit that I have never worn outside of my home and I had my daughter take some pictures of me.<br /><br />I felt like a superstar. A diva. A vixen. A No Limit Soldier “Hot Gurl.”<br /><br />I was “on one.” <br /><br />“Take 20 more pictures, Amari,” I ordered, “And get a few close-ups.” I put on sunglasses and took them off. I threw on my favorite hat and took it off. Outside it was raining, but inside my hallway it was a hot summer day.<br /><br />I’m sure my daughter was shaking her head (on the inside), but she snapped away.<br /><br />My husband, who’s used to my shenanigans, looked at my photographer and me and shook his head. <br /><br />When my “shoot” was over, my thoughts turned serious.<br /><br />It is fun to dress up. It is fun to throw on a wig or sew in a weave and get your nails and makeup done. It is fun to glue on some lashes or put in some contacts and bat your eyes like it’s nobody’s business. It’s fun to put on some cute shoes and a “hot” outfit and walk out the house feeling fabulous. But my hope for myself is that I never become so addicted to additions that when I take those things off I don’t recognize or like the me that remains.<br /><br />I’ve seen it happen to so many women. They take out the weave that gave them confidence and don’t recognize themselves. The compliments and attention stop and their self-esteem takes a major hit.<br /><br />I’ve seen young ladies refuse to leave their homes without makeup because they don’t feel pretty unless they have it on.<br /><br />I, myself, have been the girl who thought name brand clothes made me look better. I didn’t broadcast it, but back in the day I spent way more money than I should have because there was something about knowing how much an outfit cost that made me feel fly.<br /><br />Oh, and I can’t forget the add-a-size bras. I never left home without one on because I was embarrassed of my size A’s.<br /><br />And that is a shame.<br /><br />Our confidence should never be wrapped up in what we have on, or how we wear our hair, or whether we have on makeup. You have to know and believe that you are a “Designer’s Original” because the almighty God created you in His image. You are stunningly gorgeous regardless of what you wear. You are absolutely beautiful regardless of the length or texture of your hair. You are hot stuff with or without makeup or a push up bra. You are truly a work of art—a masterpiece.<br /><br />I hope you are able to see the heart of what I’m saying. Enjoy yourself. Switch things up. Dress up. Have fun. Smile like you love life. Live it up! But please make sure you recognize and love the woman underneath it all. She is beautiful…She is YOU.</div>
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-16927596680381615462014-11-30T18:42:00.002-08:002014-11-30T18:42:24.790-08:00Created to Glorify God
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;">The other day
a young lady told me that she didn’t feel pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t believe my ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I say this young lady is gorgeous, I
mean she is absolutely stunningly beautiful with a personality to match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her what she perceived to be wrong
with her looks and she told me that she didn’t like her lips, her teeth, or the
scar on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a few minutes
telling her that there is nothing wrong with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things she perceives as flaws are not
flaws at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is beautiful just the
way she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I decided to get a
little deeper and explain the danger of focusing so much on ourselves that we
lose sight of our true purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;">The truth is
that the enemy of our soul, Satan, hates us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We remind him a great deal of our Creator and his goal is to kill,
steal, and destroy us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows how much
it hurts God to see us hurting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan
uses the media and whatever else he can to feed us the idea that we’re not good
enough because we don’t look like this person or because we don’t have as much
as that person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We forget that our
Creator made us just the way we are and He doesn’t make any mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we buy into Satan’s lies, our attention
shifts away from God, where it should be, onto ourselves, where it should not
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is dangerous because we aren’t
able to fully walk in our purpose when God is not the center of our attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;">It is so
important for you to understand that your purpose is so much bigger than just you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 11:36 (LB) says, “For everything comes
from God alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything lives by His
power, and everything is for His glory.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is our purpose?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is to
glorify God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were created to worship
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were born to serve others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of spending time beating ourselves up
for not looking exactly like someone else, we should thank God for creating us
and then use our time to tell others about and draw attention to Him—for He is
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is all we need to live a joyful
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;">It sounds like
it’s easier said than done, but I encourage you to give it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of thinking about things you dislike
about yourself all day long, think about ways you can be a blessing to others
and then do those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of
sulking because you don’t like the way your hair looks today, choose to worship
God and thank Him for all His many blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of talking negatively about yourself, take time to share Jesus
with someone who may not know Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guarantee you will feel so much better when you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be walking and living in your
purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be doing what you were
born to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-72125157028812957222014-11-18T19:36:00.002-08:002014-11-18T19:36:54.410-08:00Unspeakable Joy in the Midst of Difficulties
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">I lost my parents in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father died a few days before the 4th of July; and my mother, the day before Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d be lying if I said that dealing with the loss of two people I had known and loved longer than anyone else on this earth was easy for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d be lying if I said that as these two holidays approach there isn't a part of me that gets emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d be lying if I said I don’t still have days when I cry because I miss them so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am so thankful that I have been able to lean and depend on Jesus through it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">I remember when I found out that my parents had terminal cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt overwhelmed and frustrated because I was aware of my powerlessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked with God all day every day because I knew that He was the only One who would fully understand how I felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the only One who could calm my fears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the only One who thoroughly knew and understood my heart and I trusted Him to help me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure people who knew how much I loved my parents thought I would have an emotional breakdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in my weakness, God was strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of Him I made it through that difficult period with an increased measure of faith and trust in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">I’m currently in the process of clearing my things out of their home, which I must say is also very difficult for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking through my old papers the other day took me on a trip down memory lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that although the sickness and death of my parents was hands down the most difficult time of my life, there have been some other emotionally difficult times in my life as well—multiple heartbreaks, betrayal by friends, being the subject of slander, sometimes falling short of my expectations academically or creatively, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In journal after journal I see that no matter what was happening in my life, I always poured out my heart to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always told Him exactly how I felt and looked to Him for direction, comfort, understanding, joy, and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the One who sustained me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Many people make the mistake of retreating within themselves when they go through difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they stop going to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they stop reading the bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they are so upset or disappointed with God that they refuse to talk with Him at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That only prolongs truly making it through the situation because He is the only One who can heal our broken hearts and make us whole. I encourage you to resist the urge to retreat and pour out your heart to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Seeing my old journals and letters to God reminded me that being a Christian doesn’t promise that things will be easy in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the contrary, they will be difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times they will be </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">really</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because He actually walked the earth, He has experienced every emotion we will ever feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It follows that when we are having difficult times emotionally, Jesus knows exactly how we feel and He is right there with us in the midst of our struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will comfort us and see us through every single one of them, if we just look to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a witness to that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Romans 8:28 is my favorite scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful that my difficulties will always turn out for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trust God and know that He knows what He is doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile from within because I am a witness of God’s goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly have unspeakable joy on the inside—joy that transcends what happens to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank Him because He has always been there for me no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank Him because I am able to understand, empathize with, and help others who have emotional struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful because although I have had difficulties, I have never stayed in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have only grown through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have looked to Him for strength and direction and He has, without fail, seen me through each and every one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Psalm 34:19 says: </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thoroughly believe that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am confident that when new difficulties arise He will be faithful to help me through those as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to you own understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-size: 8pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.” Psalm 37:25<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-12978586208971581292014-09-29T15:59:00.001-07:002014-09-29T15:59:51.610-07:00The Un-Jilting of Rachel (A Short Story by Loureva Slade)I have a short story that I want to share with you...It is a subject that is so very near and dear to my heart. Please click on the link and help me share it with others as well.<br />
<br />
And please comment...I want to know your thoughts.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://caligirlnewsletter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/the-un-jilting-of-rachel.pdf">https://caligirlnewsletter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/the-un-jilting-of-rachel.pdf</a><br />
<br />
God bless.<br />
<br />
LouLourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-40572877163412641982014-09-15T19:12:00.003-07:002014-09-15T19:12:18.860-07:00Who Does God Say that I Am?
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">A few weeks ago, I woke up with this scripture on my heart:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Matthew<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>16:13-17 NIV says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">It reminded me that if people misunderstood who Jesus was, I shouldn’t allow myself to be hurt when people misunderstand or mislabel me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’re honest, the 12 disciples who walked with Jesus didn’t FULLY understand who He was while they walked with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when Peter answered correctly, His actions later in Jesus’ earthly life (denying his acquaintance with Him on multiple occasions) showed His uncertainty about who Christ was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When things hit the fan, those who were closest to Him weren’t 100 percent sure of who He was while He lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until after His death and resurrection that His true identity was fully accepted by them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">With that said, I can honestly say that I’ve been given titles that don’t always describe the heart of who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve asked, “But who do YOU say that I am?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve walked with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think about me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been times when I have been dissatisfied with the answers given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new question has become “Who does God say that I am?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And is He pleased with me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my spirit, I know that the answer is yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that He sees me through the blood of Jesus and He is daily making me more in the image of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have growing and maturing to do, but during the maturation process I am confident that God looks at me and smiles—regardless of what anyone else thinks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-25613410042385370052014-05-21T09:17:00.001-07:002014-05-21T09:17:40.637-07:00God's Word
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to be more like my Father. So each day I make it a point
to spend time with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer do I
just speak to Him, but I open my heart to hear what He says back to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one of the ways He speaks to me
is through His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Holy Word is my
roadmap for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly is a lamp
unto my feet and a light unto my path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have made it a point to study His word on a daily basis, and I understand my Creator
so much better as a result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am more
aware of His love for me and His desires of me because I am constantly thinking
about Him and meditating on scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His Spirit makes His Word alive and relevant to me—and I am so thankful
for the many transformations I see in my life as I draw closer to the Master.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-51721722401709244802014-03-16T06:47:00.002-07:002014-03-16T06:47:42.603-07:00Helping Those in Need
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
know that my heart condition is extremely important if I want to live a full
life in Christ—one that is meaningful and impactful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as He continues to perfect me and make me
into His image, He brings things to my attention that need addressing in order
for me to be more like Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He most
recently brought my attitudes about giving under the microscope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I’ve
heard and read passages from Proverbs many times throughout my life, but
recently while listening to Proverbs on CD, something spoke directly to me and
I immediately felt convicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized
that I had yet another issue of the heart, and I repented and immediately
started to behave differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First let
me give you a little backstory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I’m
not a “baller” yet, but I love to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think it’s because my dad was a giver, and I admired him more than
anyone else in this world, aside from Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wanted to be just like my dad and I constantly saw him give to those
in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I gave too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my fondest memories from childhood was
riding around with my dad during the holidays and giving out cards and money to
those in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the way it felt
to make someone smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember being
in high school and begging my mom to donate to an organization on my behalf
because I felt so passionately about the cause, but didn’t have anything to
give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I regularly give clothes to
organizations that help the homeless and I give to all types of organizations
that do positive work in the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
always asking the Lord to bless me indeed like He did Jabez, because my heart
desires to have more than enough so that I can give, give, give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What
I say next may seem to contradict my love of giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In college, my attitudes about giving shifted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I became more picky about who I gave to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave a lot to organizations or people I
knew who were in need, but I rarely gave to random people I saw on the street
asking for money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lacked compassion
for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt harassed by them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was convinced that if I gave, they wouldn’t
use the money wisely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once, a guy asked
if I had any change to spare and I was literally offended that a grown man
would ask me for anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him
that I was a struggling college student and asked him if he had any change he
could spare me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to think the
way so many others do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor were
poor by choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They needed to get jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I avoided eye contact because I didn’t want
to be asked for help that I was unwilling to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At freeway exits, I made sure I looked busy
whenever I was stopped next to someone holding a sign and asking for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped carrying cash around for the sole
purpose of being able to tell those who asked if I had any change that I
honestly didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every now and then my
heart strings would be pulled and I may have given someone $10 and a CALI Newsletter…or
I might have bought someone a meal in lieu of giving cash, but for the most
part I behaved like Scrooge before his transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t see anything wrong with my actions
because although I rarely gave to panhandlers, I still gave, gave, gave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But
as I listened to Proverbs a few weeks ago, I realized the error of my ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few scriptures caught my attention:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“He that hath pity upon
the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him
again.” (Proverbs 19:17)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Whoever shuts their
ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” (Proverbs
21:13 NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“The generous will
themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9
NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“He that giveth unto the
poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.”
(Proverbs 28:27)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There
are many other scriptures in the bible regarding how we should treat those in
need—including a powerful passage in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew
25:35-40</b>, which talks about how we honor God when we help those in need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To
stop carrying cash so that I didn’t have to help someone in need was
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To pretend that I am struggling
so much myself that I am unable to give to someone who obviously has a greater
need than I do is just wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To deny
someone in need because I’m worried about how they will spend the dollar I give
them is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they do with the
money is between them and God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should
offer help when I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To avoid eye
contact with a person and pretend like I don’t see their need is absolutely
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These behaviors go against all
that the bible teaches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
thank God for His Holy Word and for His Spirit revealing truth to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so much joy in my heart now that my
giving is in line with His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
feels so wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
desperately want my life to be pleasing to my Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want Him to call me a woman after His own
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want others to see Him when
they look at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am called to do many
things…and one of them is to help those who are in need—from a place of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I consider all that God does to bless me
each and every day, extending that same love to others is the least I can do to
say thank You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-64062740979081135802014-01-17T18:14:00.004-08:002014-01-17T18:14:26.949-08:00Operating in Love
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-justify: inter-word; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">I do periodic self-evaluations of my attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go through my mental rolodex of things that once triggered negative emotions to see whether they still do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the middle of last year I was patting myself on the back because I had definitely grown into a better person than I was the previous year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was no longer holding on to anger and resentment from 20 years ago, I had made conscious decisions to forgive, I hadn’t had any outbursts of anger in a while, and I had let go of most of my past grudges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still had some work to do, but I was praying earnestly for healing and believed I was headed in the right direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">So you can imagine my frustration when the latter part of the year rolled around and I found myself consumed with anger and out of control because my husband made a couple decisions I disagreed with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like he had completely disregarded my feelings and put me in an uncomfortable situation and that really set me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My years of working on my issue with anger seemed to fly out the window and I was so mad that I said some very hurtful things to and about him and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I was going to have an emotional breakdown—literally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to pray like never before to get it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">Guilt set in shortly after my blood stopped boiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My children had watched and heard me spew venomous words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a CALI Girl and if there was a Christian TMZ, my picture would have been all over it along with an unflattering write-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew God wasn’t pleased with my behavior either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I had been talking with Him about how I was feeling all along, I disregarded what He said back to me and allowed my flesh to take over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I acted so ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time I chose to blame it on the age-old notion that “I was just upset.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">I later realized that my anger wasn’t what made me say the things I had said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 4:23 instructs “Guard your heart above all else, for from it flow the issues of life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that I was upset when I had my outburst, but the root cause of the outburst wasn’t the anger, but a heart that was unclean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bible says that “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the unkind words I spoke, the language I used, and the wrath with which I spoke were only evidence of what I had going on inside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a horrible realization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was doing so well, but having a heart issue like the one I had required immediate attention and I knew I wouldn’t be able to correct it on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">I went straight to the Lord for help and together we began work on my “heart issues.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sought forgiveness from my husband and the others I had hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to my children how I had behaved inappropriately and reminded them that there was no acceptable excuse for my actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">Then I immersed myself in scriptures about love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that I want to exemplify the love of God at all times because that’s what He has called me to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 22:37-39 says “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></sup></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">This is the first and greatest commandment.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></sup></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And without Love I am nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I see people through the eyes of Love and when Love rules my heart, I will respond differently when people say or do things that I disagree with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anger won’t fuel me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continue to pray that Love dwells in my heart because I understand that the words I speak are a direct reflection of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want my words to be rooted in love at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want my words to build others up—not tear them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want the words I speak to be a great representation of the God I serve and the Love that He is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">The final decision I made was to pay closer attention to my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t control my initial thoughts, per se, but I do choose whether I will give attention to the thoughts that pop in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2 Corinthians 10:5b the bible says</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> “</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am paying attention to every thought that enters my mind and throwing out those that go against the word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Read Philippians 4:8 when you have a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tells us the exact things we should think about.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I allow myself to meditate on things that go against God’s word, I risk having an unclean heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I risk saying and doing things that I will later regret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to take any chances. Psalms 51:10 says “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And renew a right spirit within me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is my prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that God remove anything from my heart and from my life that is not of Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly want to be right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to draw others to Him and I realize that I am a more effective witness when I’m operating in love.</span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-24982518854991417142014-01-17T18:12:00.003-08:002014-01-17T18:12:44.663-08:00Family Prayer Time
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-justify: inter-word; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">One of my fondest memories from childhood was spending the night at CALI Girl Eboni’s house and being a part of her family’s prayer circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eb and I spent the day chatting, watching television, playing dress up, and all the other stuff girls do, but before we went to sleep at night her mother and father would call everyone together so we could pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was obvious they did this regularly and they were unashamed, even though they had a guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, I had never participated in a family prayer circle, so the concept of holding hands with my parents and siblings and praying at home was foreign to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but glance around the circle and see that everyone was so comfortable in the presence of our Heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I closed my eyes, bowed my head, and prayed as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">That moment impressed me so much that now that I am married with children, I make it a point to pray with my family almost every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our prayer time we acknowledge and thank God for who He is and all that He has done for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ask Him to continue to bless us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray for our family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray for those who don’t know Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray for their teachers, classes and anything else that is on our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As God answers various prayers, I make a huge fuss over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See…God answers prayers!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we have visitors, we welcome them to pray with us as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-justify: inter-word; line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">As we start off the new year, I encourage you to pray with your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you aren’t already doing it, you can initiate it by asking your family to pray with you at least one night a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise you it is a powerful experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you will be amazed as you see God move in your lives.</span></div>
Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898212080622216477.post-71102036146520266712013-09-27T21:20:00.001-07:002013-09-27T21:20:19.337-07:00What Does Your Face Have to Say About It?<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-justify: inter-word; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">I’ll never forget the day I learned that my facial expression speaks volumes about my intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in the third grade and hadn’t been at my new school very long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, as I walked toward the main office a teacher and another adult stopped me and asked whether I knew where to find a particular classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I searched my mental database and tried unsuccessfully to come up with the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have replied with a courteous, “I really wish I could help, but I honestly don’t know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I made a face—eyes wide, top lip turned up on the left side, and vehemently shook my head from side to side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">The teacher’s eyes widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh my goodness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you see that face?” she inquired of her comrade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just asked her a simple question and she made that ugly face!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other adult agreed that my face had done something to warrant the teacher’s insults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What face had I made that was abhorrent enough for </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">adults</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"> to talk about how unattractive it was right in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took everything in me not to cry—especially since I hadn’t meant any harm. </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">I reenacted the scene in front of the mirror when I got home from school that day and I was surprised by what I saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The face I’d made was indeed offensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t at all match my heart’s intention.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">I don’t know about you, but when I discover something about myself that I don’t like and have the power to change—I change it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That day I decided that my face would never betray me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my facial expression is something I carry with me everywhere I go, I determined to turn it from my enemy to my very best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began looking in the mirror and smiling at myself, frowning at myself, and laughing at myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I observed what I looked like when I was extremely happy, angry, or sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked in the mirror as I talked on the phone with friends and relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on a mission to see what my face said about what I was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my face was untruthful, I practiced making it match with my intention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did this so much that now a situation rarely catches me so off guard that I make a face that isn’t in alignment with what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no room for misinterpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer it that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-default-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latin-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-ligatures: none;">As CALI Girls, we want to make sure to marry our facial expressions with our intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I encourage you to find out what your face (and overall body language) has to say about what you’re saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s as simple as looking in the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t like what you see, change it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lourevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162765493095229102noreply@blogger.com0