tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80161858281668152972024-03-13T16:57:27.289-05:00Obeying the Call
I'm a wife, a daughter, a sister, a professor, a writer, and a friend. I'm not always prepared for the things life throws at me, but I trust in a God who loves me, who never forsakes me, and who is always faithful to his promises.Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-65742531301331823622021-07-27T00:00:00.014-05:002021-07-27T00:00:00.170-05:00What Does It Mean To Be Childlike? I’ve been mulling over what it means to have child-like faith, which is an expression we use based on Jesus’s words to His disciples, which are recorded in three of the four gospels:<br /><blockquote>Matthew 18:3: “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” <br /><br />Mark 10:15: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” <br /><br />Luke 18:17: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”</blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9YUz44o6Hs/YPb45g77VxI/AAAAAAAAE3E/Mz0yVFBC7OU_MBAFc2BLdbPr2QeOnxkwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0586.jpg" /></a></div><br />In Matthew, the word often translated as turn or repent is better translated as convert or change. The language here is passive voice, suggesting the individual has received the action of change, rather than doing it.<br /><br />In contrast, both verbs for become [like children] in Matthew and receive [the kingdom] in Mark and Luke are in middle voice, meaning the subject is acting in some way upon himself or concerning himself. The verb for receive implies to reach out and take hold of. <br /><br />In other words, these phrases mean the same thing: becoming like children and receiving the kingdom like a child means we, as believers, do the action to ourselves, and that action is having childlike qualities. <br /><br />The key here is to understand those childlike qualities. What does it mean to be like a child or to reach out and grab hold of something like a child? <br /><br /><b>1. Children ask for what they want without fear or doubt, even if they’ve been told no before.</b> Sometimes my toddler asks for more goldfish when she’s had plenty, and sometimes I’ll tell her no. That’s never once stopped her from asking for more the next snack time. She doesn’t understand or feel or imagine rejection in the face of a no. Her past experiences with no—in the sense of asking for what she wants, not in the sense of discipline—have not limited her enthusiasm for asking in the future. <br /><br /><b>2. Children trust their parents with utter dependence</b>. My daughter never has to wonder if we’ll feed her. When we go out of town, she’s not concerned about whether we’ve packed clothes or have a place for her to sleep. She doesn’t worry about the route we’ll take or how much time it will take to get there. She knows we, her parents, take care of all those things, and she just gets to be a kid, along for the ride. <br /><br /><b>3. Children believe what their parents say is true. </b>If I told Emmy her Daddy was in the garage, she would run toward that room and try to open the door to see him. She believes me because I said it, and she has no reason to doubt it. I could show her the empty garage within a few minutes and do it all over again, and she’d still believe me. Obviously, I wouldn’t do that because I’m lying and tricking her, and God doesn’t play with us like that either. But the point is, she would believe me again and again and again because I said it, and if I said it, then it’s true. <br /><br />I’m using examples with my toddler on purpose. The word for child or children in all three of these verses is the same word, and it implies infancy or a young age, like a toddler. <br /><br />Certainly by the time some children reach the later stages of childhood, and as we grow into adults, we don’t retain these characteristics. Our experiences or our circumstances have taught us that we don’t get what we ask for sometimes, so we stop asking for certain things. We may worry our parents will forget to pack our favorite blanket or pjs, so we remind them. And we have a better sense of how long we’ve been on a car ride and want to know when we will get there. And we doubt or don’t believe because someone has tricked us before. We’ve been lied to, deceived, and we hesitate first before absolute belief.<br /><br />But to enter into the kingdom of God, to reach out and take hold of it, we have to go back to those days of infancy and toddler-like innocent. <br /><br />And to do that, we have to suspend all of our experiences and circumstances, to return to utter dependence and belief, to ask for what we want without fear of rejection or disappointment. <br /><br />It sounds like freedom to return to these childlike qualities—and yet, it’s so, so hard to let go of our control, to get out of our own heads, and to release our past disappointments. But Jesus tells us we must—and don’t we want all that He has for us? Don’t we want to experience His kingdom—righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) right now? <br /><br />Let us return to that childlike faith, the absolute hope and trust and belief in the security and goodness of our Heavenly Father.Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-58969386051590017662021-07-13T00:00:00.010-05:002021-07-13T00:00:00.198-05:00A Deeper Look at 1 John 4: Love Perfected<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vm6_FKOsg20/YOdWbGVbE-I/AAAAAAAAE2g/96YbHeqJObQXrpiakudXDOGyTaHMiS0WACLcBGAsYHQ/s604/IMG_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="604" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vm6_FKOsg20/YOdWbGVbE-I/AAAAAAAAE2g/96YbHeqJObQXrpiakudXDOGyTaHMiS0WACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Can we be honest? Sometimes when we read 1 John, it feels condemning. One example? “Anyone who does not love does not know God” (4:8). </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{165}" paraid="2123253181" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Yikes! We can read that and think, </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">well</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’ve sure had plenty of ‘unloving’ moments, so I guess I don’t know God. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{165}" paraid="2123253181" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{169}" paraid="2139000236" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sigh. Grumble. Grumble. Cry. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{173}" paraid="89190680" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{173}" paraid="89190680" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Right? </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{177}" paraid="513416466" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{177}" paraid="513416466" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">But to read and study 1 John, we have to first understand John as a person. He considered himself Jesus’s favorite and repeatedly refers to himself in the book of John as ‘the one Jesus loved.’ Seems pretty bold, huh?</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{185}" paraid="1314223024" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{185}" paraid="1314223024" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Actually, John just had a deep, deep, DEEP understanding of who he is in Christ. He is, I think, one of the best pictures of a disciple walking in his identity in Christ. And so yeah, he comes across a little arrogant sometimes</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, a little over-confident, but if we read his words in the context of his full and complete confidence in who he is in Christ, then we can see why he makes the bold statements that he makes. </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{191}" paraid="189013873" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{191}" paraid="189013873" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">And the more I study him, the more I can see his style of writing, where what feels like a super bold (and condemning) statement is usually explained in more context if we continue reading and also if we make connections from earlier statements to later statements. </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">And </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">always</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> those statements are rooted in an understanding of either who God is or who we are in Christ, as believers with His spirit and new nature. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{201}" paraid="1981100286" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{201}" paraid="1981100286" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’ve been meditating on chapter 4, specifically verses 16 through 18 because I have been consumed with quite a bit of fear and anxiety lately. It started with verse 18—and again, we can read this and think, </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">gosh, I’m fearful. I guess God’s love is not perfected in me. </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sigh. Sigh. Grumble. Grumble. Cry. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{209}" paraid="1157834575" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{209}" paraid="1157834575" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">First, we need context. Let’s start in verse 12. It says, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{213}" paraid="135912283" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{213}" paraid="135912283" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It feels like this means love is perfected in us, if/when we love one another. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{217}" paraid="225313877" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{217}" paraid="225313877" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">We love >> then God abides >> then love is perfected </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{221}" paraid="1715423649" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{221}" paraid="1715423649" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">But keep reading...</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{225}" paraid="2100352173" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{225}" paraid="2100352173" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Paul explains how we know that we abide in Him and He in us: we have his Spirit (v. 13), we have the gospel testimony (v. 14), and we confess Jesus as the son of God (v. 15). </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{229}" paraid="674752158" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{229}" paraid="674752158" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Now we get to what I’ve been meditating on—verses 16 through 18:</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{233}" paraid="1165570272" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love, abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment because as He is so </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">are</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></blockquote><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{241}" paraid="1604813764" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">After we know that we abide in Him (i.e. we have his Spirit, we believe the gospel testimony, we confess Jesus as the son of God—in other words, we’</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">re born-again bel</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ievers), THEN we have come to k</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">now and to believe the love God has for us (v. 16). </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{251}" paraid="185005807" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{251}" paraid="185005807" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Now we see that God is love and to abide in love is to abide in God and to have God abide in us. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{5c2e78a0-ef72-4763-9c86-810d8cd78865}{255}" paraid="151542013" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">THEN is love perfected</span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">—“</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">by this...” (v. 17). </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{8}" paraid="438152032" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{8}" paraid="438152032" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">So when Paul says (v. 18), whoever fears has not been perfected in love, it means he who is fearing/fearful is not abiding in God nor God in Him. There’s a disconnect. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{12}" paraid="409512347" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{12}" paraid="409512347" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">When we disconnect, we fear. When we fear, we expect punishment. When we expect punishment, we have forgotten the love of God—what we first came to know and believe. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{16}" paraid="585631947" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{16}" paraid="585631947" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The more deeply we’re rooted in our identity in Christ, the more fully we accept His love for us, the less likely we will be to walk in fear. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{20}" paraid="1730831961" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{22}" paraid="590045167" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{22}" paraid="590045167" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m a grammar nerd, so let’s look at some of these verbs. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{26}" paraid="2134337568" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{26}" paraid="2134337568" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">In the Greek, both the verbs </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">for </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">know</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">believe</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in verse 16 are in the perfect indicative, which indicates an action that took place in the past, whose results continue to the present. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{30}" paraid="1007445297" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{30}" paraid="1007445297" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">In other words, this is one who </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">already</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> knows and believes the love God has for us. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{38}" paraid="629960994" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{38}" paraid="629960994" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">And to get just a little </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">more nerdy</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, the Greek word for </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">know </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is experiential knowledge, and</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the word</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> for </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">believe</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is a mental persuasion. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{58}" paraid="941913157" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{58}" paraid="941913157" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">So we’ve already, in the past, known and believed God, meaning we have experienced Him and are mentally convinced of who He says He is—and that past action of knowing and believing carries results to the present (perfect indicative). </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{62}" paraid="601114020" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{62}" paraid="601114020" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Let’s look at the word for </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">abide</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. This verb is a present participle, which indicates a continuous action: one who is abiding. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{70}" paraid="130479092" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{70}" paraid="130479092" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What does it mean to abide? The Greek word here means to </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">stay </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">in a given state, place, relation, or expectancy. This sometimes gets translated as ‘to remain,’ and it’s the same word John uses in John 15 to describe God as the vine and us as the branches. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{78}" paraid="379362570" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{78}" paraid="379362570" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">So we abide when we stay, when we remain in relationship with God, in the same mental state of knowing and believing (who He is, who we are in Him), in the same metaphorical place, let’s say, of being in his family, connected as one of his branches, and in the same expectancy that both He never changes and He always keeps His word. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{82}" paraid="182306081" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{82}" paraid="182306081" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What are we abiding in? In God but also in his love because we’re told God </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">is</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> love (v. 16). </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{90}" paraid="2071140188" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{90}" paraid="2071140188" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">And this word for love is important. It’s </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">agape</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> love in the Greek that’s use</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">d</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in all of these verses (12 – 18). </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Throughout the Bible, this</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> word describes the benevolent love that </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">God has for us. </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Zodhiates</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> describes it as benevolent in that God loves us by giving mankind what we need the most, not always what we desire. </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{112}" paraid="763604331" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{112}" paraid="763604331" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The verb for </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">perfected</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in verses 12, 17, and 18 is perfect indicative passive. So the same definition for perfect indicative applies (a past action whose results carry to the present), but it’s also passive voice, meaning the subject is receiving the action, not doing it. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{120}" paraid="1228193428" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{120}" paraid="1228193428" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">In other words, we don’t perfect ourselves in love. It’s something that happens to us—namely by what we learned above: abiding in God and He in us. Keeping that connection is central to being perfected in love, which is central to not being fearful. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{124}" paraid="1919802995" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{124}" paraid="1919802995" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">One more word</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to look at</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">—</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">what’s translated ‘whoever fears’ is better translated as </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">‘he that </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">feareth</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (v. 18). This is a single verb that’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> a present</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> passive/middle </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">participle (</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in this case, the participle is an adjectival</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> modifier, a verb in form but not in function)</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{154}" paraid="1393973644" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{154}" paraid="1393973644" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">English doesn’t have middle voice, so it’s more challenging to understand, but </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Zodhiates</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> describes it as “the subject is in some way acting upon himself or concerning himself.” </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{162}" paraid="934034897" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{162}" paraid="934034897" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So think of this as “he who </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">feareth</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">” means, the person that is bringing fear upon himself. </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{170}" paraid="110899838" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{170}" paraid="110899838" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">So what have we learned—and why do we care about all these verb meanings? </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{174}" paraid="474449986" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{174}" paraid="474449986" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">These actions—knowing and believing—have happened in the past at our moment of salvation, but they’re actions with results that carry into the future as well. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{178}" paraid="1896509217" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{178}" paraid="1896509217" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This is different from our action of </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">abiding</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, which is continuous and on-going, and it might be easy to think, well, I don’t always feel like I know God’s love, so I must not know and believe him—an action I must not have made in the past. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{186}" paraid="560756546" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{186}" paraid="560756546" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">But, my friend, if you are a born-again believer, then YES, you have known and believed. Nothing speaks of His </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">agape</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> love more than the gospel message and the glorious exchange that took place because of Jesus’s work on the cross. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{194}" paraid="1518517266" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{194}" paraid="1518517266" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">So we have known and believed—and we now choose to abide, an on-going continuous choice and action. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{198}" paraid="715883206" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{198}" paraid="715883206" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">And finally, let’s contrast ‘he that </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">feareth</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">’ with ‘being perfected.’ </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">It’s worth considering the language here because it reminds me that being fearful is a choice—and it’s a choice that I put on myself</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (middle voice)</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{198}" paraid="715883206" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{198}" paraid="715883206" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Whereas, being perfected is an action that I receive</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (passive voice)</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{216}" paraid="1094653567" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{216}" paraid="1094653567" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">At the root of John’s message here is who God is and whether we know and believe it. When we know Him, we know His love. When we know His love, we abide in Him and He in us. And remember, when we </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">stay </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">abiding, remaining connected to our source, His love is perfected and casts out fear.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{226}" paraid="1127813391" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{226}" paraid="1127813391" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">If you feel fearful today, my friend, if you feel anxious as I have lately, then </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">be</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> encouraged: we can choose not to fear; we can choose to receive his perfect love. </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{230}" paraid="862657407" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{230}" paraid="862657407" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">How? By believing who He says He is, </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">by abiding in Him (in our mental state, in our metaphorical place, in our relationship, in expectancy), and </span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">by trusting in His </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">agape</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> love—that He love us benevolently, giving us what we need most, with our best interest in mind. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{238}" paraid="171397149" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW7716132" paraeid="{93707f3b-390e-46dd-9833-6483068e5123}{241}" paraid="1571515515" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW7716132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW7716132" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> *Greek references are from <i>The Complete Word Study New Testament, </i>edited by Spiros Zodhiates. </span></p></div>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-50367838910477039102021-07-06T00:00:00.133-05:002021-07-06T00:00:00.178-05:00Book Recommendation: Pockets of Purpose <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEkqAl1vaVw/YNTO12-L3pI/AAAAAAAAEzY/0IHAevsKszktU_wyHkpn_PR4rL2jw8auwCPcBGAYYCw/s560/Blog%2BBanner%2Bfor%2BTour%2B.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEkqAl1vaVw/YNTO12-L3pI/AAAAAAAAEzY/0IHAevsKszktU_wyHkpn_PR4rL2jw8auwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Blog%2BBanner%2Bfor%2BTour%2B.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>This week, I am participating in the blog tour for Laurie Stroup Smith's new Amish fiction release, Pockets of Purpose, Book Two in the Pocket Quilt Series. Keep reading for my review, the book blurb, Laurie's bio, AND a giveaway!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r97dq4bBKFM/YNTMdtF1vTI/AAAAAAAAEzE/HUcTkJtex8QmVPe_ZOFOYSXqygEH60ilgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/PocketsofPurpose-Book-Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r97dq4bBKFM/YNTMdtF1vTI/AAAAAAAAEzE/HUcTkJtex8QmVPe_ZOFOYSXqygEH60ilgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PocketsofPurpose-Book-Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A beautiful Amish story with realistic characters facing unexpected obstacles, who overcome it all by grace and love. Laurie Stroup Smith gives us another great book in the Pocket Quilt Series to remind us that life does not always work out as we planned, but God is still good and makes a way for us. This book can be read as a standalone, but I appreciated getting to see some of the characters from Book One again.<br /><br /><br /><b>Back Cover Copy:</b> Two years after exchanging her first love letters with Gideon Petersheim, Dixie Yoder tucks his notes into her pocket quilt and travels from Pinecraft to Holmes County, hopeful for a future together. Upon her arrival, their relationship blossoms until the auctioneer has surgery to remove a cyst from his vocal cords. Complications from the procedure interfere with his healing, leaving him searching for his passions and purpose. Instead of leaning on Dixie through this tough time, he pushes her away and turns his back on God. Frustrated and heartbroken, she is torn between staying in Ohio with the new friends she has grown to love and packing her bags. Having lost everything, he must fight his way back to her, but his apology is long overdue. Only a grand gesture to show her how much she means to him will cause her to pause and reconsider.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Available now on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pockets-Purpose-Pocket-Quilt-2-ebook/dp/B095XBSJP3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WBTV0P9WFPJJ&dchild=1&keywords=pockets+of+purpose+laurie+stroup+smith&qid=1622124636&s=books&sprefix=pockets+of+%2Caps%2C155&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>! </b></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cip4O102ll4/YNTNHtmUINI/AAAAAAAAEzU/NAqD00_4r2wOLX_lxMD1UDcxcNVQ8es4gCPcBGAYYCw/s1024/headshot-1-685x1024.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cip4O102ll4/YNTNHtmUINI/AAAAAAAAEzU/NAqD00_4r2wOLX_lxMD1UDcxcNVQ8es4gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/headshot-1-685x1024.jpg" /></a></div><br />If you don't know Laurie, she's one of my dear writer friends and my fabulous critique partner. <br /><br /><b>Laurie's Bio:</b> While writing Amish fiction and contemporary romance, Laurie Stroup Smith strives to inspire readers to serve others. She was named a Finalist in the 2017 ACFW First Impressions Contest and a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 and 2019 ACFW Genesis Contests. She has been interviewed by Loveland Magazine and has been a guest on the Buggy Talk and Fierce Calling podcasts.Before writing, Laurie earned a bachelor’s degree in both athletic training and exercise science and later obtained her master’s degree in health promotion and education. She now writes full time and lives with her husband and their two daughters in Cincinnati. Connect with Laurie on her <a href=" lauriestroupsmith.com" target="_blank">website </a>(lauriestroupsmith.com), <a href=" https://www.facebook.com/lauriestroupsmith" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href=" https://www.instagram.com/lauriestroupsmith" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/LaurieMSmith" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/LStroupSmith Autho" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><div>And NOW.... a GIVEAWAY! Enter below for a chance to win!</div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="05b8a7159" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/05b8a7159/" id="rcwidget_3v5obwu1" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">Rafflecopter Giveaway</span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQMBEF1Qgb8/YNXr_pzAblI/AAAAAAAAEzk/OEXoesfpM7sPh1mNGq2CrcV96G2V8ZCHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/3610F351-883B-47E7-908F-40385EEB6BC7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQMBEF1Qgb8/YNXr_pzAblI/AAAAAAAAEzk/OEXoesfpM7sPh1mNGq2CrcV96G2V8ZCHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3610F351-883B-47E7-908F-40385EEB6BC7.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://follow.it/laura-c-brandenburg?action=followPub" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4wrryXxm_Y/YNt2T3lNtpI/AAAAAAAAE0U/7WzDv-AYwZIAqSA3XLDWbSnxnLN25iCigCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/14.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/laura-c-brandenburg?action=followPub" target="_blank">following me here</a>.</div>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-25450171969192736312021-04-20T00:00:00.007-05:002021-04-20T00:00:00.170-05:00What's Your Knee-Jerk Reaction? Our fun-loving almost 17-mo-old toddler has started a new thing. When she doesn’t get her way or has a different idea about something, she sits down or lays down and throws a bit of a fit. It is both cute (she’s got that pouty lip, tilted head, and fake tears)—and not, so we’ve recently begun trying to teach her “that’s not how Brandenburgs act.” <br /><br />Her reaction is so innate, knee-jerk almost, and yet, I’m amazed at how quickly she can change her attitude with a little correction (or our ignoring the little fit). It’s like she jumps up, realizes this is not the way to be, and moves on, happy to play with another toy. <br /><br />I’ve been thinking about my own knee-jerk reactions I pick up without thinking. I told you that my word this year is <a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-year-of-freedom.html" target="_blank">Freedom</a>, and as I have sought the Lord to understand what areas in my life I’m experiencing bondage, he has been faithful to show me place after place in my heart that needs to be free. <br /><br /><b>When I am in bondage to fear, I am not free to live the full and rich life that Christ intended. </b><br /><br />Sometimes fear can have other words to describe it like worry or anxiety, and I’m finding that these are my knee-jerk reactions. I pick up worry before I even know it, and I’m sitting in a fit of anxiety before I’ve thought through why I would be anxious when the King of heaven and earth fights for me, provides for me, loves me. <br /><br />Through my little toddler, the Lord has been showing me, that’s not how the daughter of the King acts. Not when she knows who she is in Christ. Not when she knows who her Heavenly Father is. <br /><br />I have been meditating on two verses lately: One is from Proverbs 31—and all of us know this woman as the epitome of women, right? It says in verse 25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MigobwoSkxA/YHW1j2RnILI/AAAAAAAAEvY/msHQJ9ZSHbUFAgmHwzDwKlQOJ9fR25KFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG-9511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MigobwoSkxA/YHW1j2RnILI/AAAAAAAAEvY/msHQJ9ZSHbUFAgmHwzDwKlQOJ9fR25KFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG-9511.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br />The other verse is Psalm 112:6-7: “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” <br /><br />So I’ve been thinking about both of these—what would it look like to laugh without fear of the future? What does it mean to never be moved? To never be afraid of bad news? That’s a deep, deep level of trust, right? <br /><br />What I was thinking about specifically for this post today is the fear of lack or insufficiency. This can be about financial provision, but I was thinking about it more practically for my everyday tasks. <br /><br />I’m at the end of the semester, which means I’ve got final papers and projects and grades pouring in. And my stress level begins to rise higher and higher. <br /><br />When I feel myself start to get overwhelmed with work, when I start giving in to that anxiety, I have noticed that really that overwhelmed feeling or stressed out feeling is just a fear of lack. <br /><br />Lack of time. Lack of mental capacity. Lack of patience. Lack of motivation. <br /><br /><b>And anytime I’m operating out of a mentality of lack, I’m operating out of fear because I’m making an agreement in my mind that God is not sufficient. </b>That he doesn’t own time. That he doesn’t give me grace and strength and mental capacity. That patience and self-control aren’t fruits of His spirit. <br /><br />But He is sufficient. And He does own time. And He does give me grace and strength and His own mind, even. Through His Holy Spirit, He has given me love and peace and patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and yes, even self-control. <br /><br />So as we enter the busy months of April and May, if you’re struggling with the overwhelm of it all, like me, I hope we can practice pausing for a second, recognizing fear for what it is, and choosing instead to walk freely in His truth and His power and His life. <br /><br /> </div>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-54407760835493797072021-04-06T00:00:00.003-05:002021-04-06T00:00:00.375-05:00An Abbreviated List From My TBR Pile<p>Do you have a TBR pile? You know, the books 'to-be-read'? These days, my list seems to be growing faster than I'm reading, and it's been a while since I've shared some of the fiction books I'm looking forward to reading when I finish the semester. </p><p>Here are a few at the top of my TBR Pile from books out in the last year(ish) that I want to catch up on soon. I've provided the back-cover copy from the publisher. </p><p>---</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Fragile-Things-Susan-Meissner-ebook/dp/B08816XHX4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TZ9FRKB1JEOS&dchild=1&keywords=the+nature+of+fragile+things&qid=1617305802&sprefix=the+nature+of+frag%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="144" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wS-01Y3UlQ/YGYg_M2tvKI/AAAAAAAAEs4/dA9KMyFcTkYjZlWjE8gWOxVjsDfcK1o_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w211-h320/91gFIPIfFLL._AC_UY218_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>1. <i>The Nature of Fragile Things</i> by Susan Meissner. <p></p><p><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">April 18, 1906: A massive earthquake rocks San Francisco just before daybreak, igniting a devouring inferno. Lives are lost, lives are shattered, but some rise from the ashes forever changed.</b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about. San Francisco widower Martin Hocking proves to be as aloof as he is mesmerizingly handsome. Sophie quickly develops deep affection for Kat, Martin's silent five-year-old daughter, but Martin's odd behavior leaves her with the uneasy feeling that something about her newfound situation isn't right.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Then one early-spring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transforming chain of events. Sophie discovers hidden ties to two other women. The first, pretty and pregnant, is standing on her doorstep. The second is hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, grieving the loss of everything she once loved.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The fates of these three women intertwine on the eve of the devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey that will test their resiliency and resolve and, ultimately, their belief that love can overcome fear.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">From the acclaimed author of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The Last Year of the War </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">As Bright as Heaven</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> comes a gripping novel about the bonds of friendship and mother love, and the power of female solidarity.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Before-I-Called-You-Mine-ebook/dp/B07VQKQ2C9/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Before+I+called+you+mine&qid=1617305995&sr=8-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-Exj55-rFg/YGYhqFWX0zI/AAAAAAAAEtA/gzDrFP33ClcezviRtF_WYAsHGD6TFE5CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/51FZ0jlJv8L._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>2. <i>Before I Called You Mine</i> by Nicole Deese<p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Skies-Bluebell-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B085XNF72G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=autumn+skies&qid=1617306047&sr=8-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8WWwXegjuM/YGYh1x_0fKI/AAAAAAAAEtE/tGzekBi4FVYJxZg3GaxgzpkVehVfFGoKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/51OOlWOGMYL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>3. <i>Autumn Skies</i> by Denise Hunter<p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><strong>From the bestselling author of <em>The Convenient Groom</em> and <em>A December Bride</em> (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Restoration-Celia-Fairchild-Novel-ebook/dp/B089SZCNBK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VQ8X62YQR419&dchild=1&keywords=the+restoration+of+celia+fairchild+by+marie+bostwick&qid=1617306203&sprefix=restoration+of+celia%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="145" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUGjcjMgr-I/YGYiEhVc0eI/AAAAAAAAEtM/sj8Poz6pD6k-ryXrmNawaIlP40LZ-8RjACLcBGAsYHQ/w213-h320/819DEdAuY3L._AC_UY218_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>4. <i>The Restoration of Celia Fairchild </i>by Marie Bostwick <p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><strong><em>Evvie Drake Starts Over</em></strong><strong> meets <em>The Friday Night Knitting Club</em> in this wise and witty novel about a fired advice columnist who discovers lost and found family members in Charleston, by the <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of <em>The Second Sister</em>.</strong><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">Celia Fairchild, known as advice columnist ‘Dear Calpurnia’, has insight into everybody’s problems – except her own. Still bruised by the end of a marriage she thought was her last chance to create a family, Celia receives an unexpected answer to a “Dear Birthmother” letter. Celia throws herself into proving she’s a perfect adoptive mother material – with a stable home and income – only to lose her job. Her one option: sell the Charleston house left to her by her recently departed, estranged Aunt Calpurnia. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">Arriving in Charleston, Celia learns that Calpurnia had become a hoarder, the house is a wreck, and selling it will require a drastic, rapid makeover. The task of renovation seems overwhelming and risky. But with the help of new neighbors, old friends, and an unlikely sisterhood of strong, creative women who need her as much as she needs them, Celia knits together the truth about her estranged family — and about herself.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><em>The Restoration of Celia Fairchild </em>is an unforgettable novel of secrets revealed, laughter released, creativity rediscovered, and waves of wisdom by a writer Robyn Carr calls "my go-to author for feel-good novels.”</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Dawn-Cynthia-Ruchti-ebook/dp/B08CJL8ZCS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=facing+the+dawn&qid=1617306143&sr=8-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykK7yiSGcgg/YGYiO_WzqlI/AAAAAAAAEtU/0xmHEs7G4vM-PPHb2NOKEbYc72aQxzlmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/41j0LO-70LL.jpg" /></a></div>5.<i> Facing the Dawn</i> by Cynthia Ruchti <p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa, Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm glow that her husband is nine time zones away, caring for widows and orphans. But the reality is that she is exhausted, working a demanding yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone kids, failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long in the sun.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Then Liam's three-year absence turns into something more, changing everything and plunging her into a sunless grief. As Mara struggles to find her footing, she discovers that even when hope is tenuous, faith is fragile, and the future is unknown, we can be sure we are not forgotten . . . or unloved.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">With emotionally evocative prose that tackles tough topics with tenderness and hope, award-winning author Cynthia Ruchti invites you on a journey of the heart you won't soon forget.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">---</span></p><p>What about you, friends? What are you reading right now? What's on your TBR pile? </p>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-79012216675337733852021-03-23T00:00:00.007-05:002021-03-23T00:00:06.973-05:00A Year of Freedom Since 2013, I have asked the Lord to give me a word for each year. This year, I compiled those words in one place—and then sat in awe as I reflected on all the ways the Lord had brought that word to pass, some of which I couldn’t have seen until now. <br /><blockquote>2013 – <b>brave</b>: The year we moved to Plainview, and I learned how to make new friends. Again. <br /><br />2014 – <b>grace</b>: The year of multiple failed fertility treatments, including two failed IVF rounds. <br /><br />2015 – <b>hope</b>: The year I lost all hope in God’s plans for our family. <br /><br />2016 – <b>redeem</b>: The year He began to heal me and rebuild my faith. <br /><br />2017 – <b>peace</b>: The year of chaos and changes. <br /><br />2018 – <b>anticipation</b>: The year He told us a baby was coming in 2019. <br /><br />2019 – <b>promises fulfilled</b>: The year He brought our precious miracle. <br /><br />2020 – <b>joy</b>: The year in which I experienced great loss and pain, and yet so much joy.</blockquote><br />My word for 2021 is freedom. <br /><br />Free from fear. Free from offense. Free from other people’s opinions.<br /><b><br />Freedom in Christ comes after the good and hard work of healing. </b><br /><br />This week, the Lord brought me back to an <a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2013/10/for-those-who-play-it-safe-dare-to-risk.html" target="_blank">old blog post</a> I wrote to remind me that He’s healing those places in me that were sad and broken and wounded in 2020.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3pZOWmatK_U/YFi7pgQjrCI/AAAAAAAAErE/OgT52njtPDM3XFplxnEjA5IH-7TfaSTEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG-9372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="828" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3pZOWmatK_U/YFi7pgQjrCI/AAAAAAAAErE/OgT52njtPDM3XFplxnEjA5IH-7TfaSTEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG-9372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><blockquote><b> “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Ps. 147:3</b><br /><br />Heals = râphâh – lit. to mend (by stitching); fig. to cure, heal, repair, make whole <br /><br />Binds = châbash – to wrap firmly </blockquote><br />I love the word pictures in this verse. The word for heal here literally means to stitch or to mend, so when it says God heals the brokenhearted, it means He takes our hearts, and He sews the pieces back together; He carefully, meticulously stitches the broken seams, the tattered and torn places of our hearts. <br /><br />I don’t sew, but having watching my sister sew (she’s amazing at it!), I know it requires precision and accuracy—it cannot be rushed. And to stitch, to make repairs by hand, is an even slower process. So this work that God is doing when He is healing our broken hearts: it’s careful, it’s calculated—and it’s slow. <br /><br />But the end result is beautiful because within this same word, râphâh, it means to make whole. So He doesn’t just start stitching and mending and then set us aside to work on someone else. No, He carefully holds our hearts in His hand, and with needle and thread, He sews, He stitches, He mends our brokenness—until we are whole, until we are healed. <br /><br />The other verb here—to bind—is equally as tender. Literally, this means to wrap up, and the Lord gave me this beautiful picture of taping an ankle that’s been broken or sprained. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the chance to practice wrapping someone’s ankle (or even harder—your own!), such as for an athletic event, but let me tell you, it’s not easy! Those who are skilled in taping ankles will tell you it takes a lot of practice. And what I’ve learned is that there is a definite pattern and technique. You can’t just wrap the tape like so—you have to follow an order, a pattern so that the ankle is tight and secure. Wrapping of this kind is an art. <br /><br />And in the same way, the Lord takes our wounds, and again, He skillfully and knowingly wraps them; He binds them up in the perfect way, to keep the wound covered, secure, and in place. His binding of our wounds is His protection. He doesn’t leave our wounds gaping open. No, He tenderly wraps them as He knows how and allows our wounds to heal under His protective covering. This, too, takes time. <br /><br />The beauty of râphâh and châbash is that He holds my heart—and because He mends the brokenhearted, because He binds up the wounded, I am safe and free. This is why the psalmists declare over and over that He is our safe place, our hiding place, our shelter, our protection, our covering. <br /><br />He holds me and secures me and covers me and protects me—so that I can be free to fully live. Free to fully give. Free to fully believe Him, unrestricted, uninhibited. Because to really believe Him for the desires of our heart—whatever that desire may be—is always a risk, and it’s costly. But, really, it’s a safe bet—even if it doesn’t feel like it: <br /><br />Because He is for me. <br /><br />Because He is with me. <br /><br />Because in Him, I am safe and covered. <br /><br />In Him, I am free. <br /><br /> </div>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-82477835072317025252021-03-09T00:00:00.010-06:002021-03-09T00:00:00.321-06:00<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdM7O1hkbSM/YD_swXcGeAI/AAAAAAAAEAk/84k227LEpuwSowRcEWk1unxI50kVqWlGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG-9145.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Proverbs 13:3" border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdM7O1hkbSM/YD_swXcGeAI/AAAAAAAAEAk/84k227LEpuwSowRcEWk1unxI50kVqWlGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/IMG-9145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I saw a meme the other day that said, “You don’t always have
to tell your side of the story.” <p></p><p></p></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t that the truth? But it’s oh, so hard. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A person who doesn’t feel the need to defend herself is
someone who has complete and utter security in the Lord. Someone who knows she’s
a daughter of the king, righteous, and accepted. Someone full of grace and power
and position. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want to be that person. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All too often, I’m quick to defend, quick to justify—even if
only in my head. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when I do open my mouth to share my defense, I usually
end up adding a line or two that I regret. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The root of defensiveness is insecurity, and the root of insecurity
is a missing or mistaken identity. </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ve misidentified who God is—and who He says we are. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over and over again, the Word tells us He is our defender,
our protector, our shield, our salvation. He is our refuge, our hiding place,
our strong tower, our shelter. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He never asked us to self-protect. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He might give us wisdom to set boundaries. And certainly He’s
asked us to guard our hearts, which is an action on our part. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But overwhelmingly in Scripture, we see that He is the one
who fights for us (Exodus 14:14), who places a shield around us (Psalm 3:3), who
hems us in, behind and before (Psalm 139:5). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Right now, there’s so much noise in the world, so many
people trying to tell their side of the story. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Sometimes all we need to do is listen. And in listening, we
find empathy and compassion and a capacity to love as Christ does. </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My parents were big on having us memorize Bible verses when
we got in trouble. These two have stayed with me (maybe because most of my
tallies in elementary school were for talking <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life” (Proverbs
13:3).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Proverbs 10:19). </p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We don’t have to open our mouths every time we feel
threatened by what someone else says. We don’t have to give our opinion just
because someone has a different one. And we don’t always have to defend our
position. Because, let’s face it, sometimes we are wrong. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And sometimes, even when we’re right, we might win in the
long run by listening first. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, let’s be prudent, life-preserving people who walk in the
security and confidence of our Christ-given identity and who bring life and joy
to the world around us. <o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-17124693089452499162021-02-23T00:00:00.005-06:002021-02-23T00:00:02.153-06:00"It Won't Always Be Like This"“It won’t always be like this.”<br /><br />These words God deposited in my heart when our baby girl was a few days old, eating around the clock every two or three hours, which meant I was sleeping in thirty- to forty-minute increments. <br /><br />Little did I know then that this phrase would become a mantra for other areas of my life. <br /><br />When I'm recovering from surgery, or suffering through COVID, or experiencing (most recently) food poisoning: “It won’t always be like this.” <br /><br />When our girl is teething, or coughing, or going through a developmental leap, and our (normally) good sleeper spends a few nights in the chair with mommy, I tell myself: “It won’t always be like this.” <br /><br />Those tough first weeks with a newborn morph into four- and five- and six-hour stretches of sleep (and now our girl sleeps ten or eleven hours… *high five!*), and the sleep-deprived days are memories we joke about with a hint of pride for our survival skills. <br /><br />God’s words to me are both an encouragement (“this is temporary”) and a caution (“don’t wish away this season”). <br /><br />I’ve always heard women say they forget the pain from childbirth—like it’s this supernatural thing God does in our minds so that we’ll continue to procreate. <br /><br />As a pregnant woman, I received this with skepticism, and now, about 15 months after my first childbirth experience, I understand what they mean. <br /><br />It’s not that I’ve forgotten the 21-hour, all-natural delivery, but I don’t really remember the pain. It’s like a blurred scene on the film strip of my memory. <br /><br />Howell remembers that day far more vividly than I do—and I think he’s a bit scarred by it. I can’t even recall the intensity of the contractions. Certainly I remember <i>having </i>them, but I can’t conjure up what they <i>felt </i>like. And I remember that it hurt at the end, but it seems so brief, so passing because moments later, I held my baby girl, and none of it mattered. <br /><br />That experience was less than 24 hours. Somedays when I remember we spent almost a decade waiting for our girl, it, too, feels like a blink in time. <br /><br />Not then, of course. But now—on this side of it. <br /><br />I’ve found that my greatest defense against discouragement in a tough season is to remember. While the pain, the suffering, even the intensity of time—minutes, hours, days, years passing—fades, what remains in my memory is God’s faithfulness. <br /><br />It stands out above the noise. <br /><br />Time and again, I remember what He has done for me. <br /><br />God’s word calls our affliction “light” and “momentary” (2 Cor. 4:17), and I’m sure Paul’s suffering goes far beyond anything I’ve experienced. (In fact, that sort of perspective is good to hang on to.) <br /><br />Paul goes on to tell us to focus on what is unseen, the eternal, rather than the temporary (2 Cor. 4:18).<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6j8nKwUf1ew/YC2jqgOHU6I/AAAAAAAAD_w/dB8Dq0mdNQIDjie1caiyihIKzgqL2kQMACLcBGAsYHQ/s619/IMG_9076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6j8nKwUf1ew/YC2jqgOHU6I/AAAAAAAAD_w/dB8Dq0mdNQIDjie1caiyihIKzgqL2kQMACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9076.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br />Peter says it like this: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). <br /><br />Notice that our faith is more precious than gold that perishes. Gold sounds temporal, huh? <br /><br />But faith—that’s among the things unseen, the things eternal. <br /><br />His words to me are true: “It won’t always be like this.” <br /><br />Today I can hardly believe our miracle girl is running all over the house, holding her baby doll, and playing “pretend” with her as she rocks her and feeds her the Cheerios from her snack cup. The girl I spent weeks feeding around the clock now holds a fork and feeds herself. And the nights that felt hard are forgotten, replaced by the warmth of my bed and the comfort of my husband. <br /><br />If you’ve been grieved by various trials, my friend, if it feels hot under the fire right now, don’t lose heart. <br /><br />Whatever we are going through is temporary. It might be over in an hour, or a day, or a week, or a year. Even if it takes years upon years, our circumstances are still temporary. <br /><br />So let’s fix our minds on Christ, on the things of the Spirit, which are life and peace (Ro. 8:6). <br /><br />Let’s ask God to give us His eternal perspective. <br /><br />And let’s remember all the times He’s been faithful before to bolster our faith that He will do it again.</div>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-89190823201003357722021-02-09T00:00:00.010-06:002021-02-09T00:00:02.565-06:00The Question<br /><br />While recently reading a fiction book for the general market, I came across a bit of dialogue in which one character asks the other whether he believes in God. He hedges something like, sometimes, but not always, to which she replies, “I do.”<br /><br />But then she goes on to say that as she grew older, the relationship she once enjoyed as a child, she now didn’t. And her reason: “I thought I understood the way things were supposed to work, but as I grew older, I realized I didn’t.” <br /><br />She continues her speech to reveal one key reason for her disconnect from God as an adult: “Why would God, who’s supposed to be all good and loving, allow innocent people to suffer?” <br /><br /><b>This is the question that I think everyone—believer or non-believer—has to, at some point, grapple with.</b> <br /><br />This character ultimately feels both hopeless and unhappy as she attempts to reconcile her current situation with God’s Word—and the Bible falls short, she says. For this reason, we see her abandon her faith. <br /><br />As I read this passage, something deep in my soul stirred, so I marked it. The depth of that fictional—and secular—conversation required more thought, more time. <br /><br />I think the question—posed often in another form as “Why do bad things happen to good people?”—needs to be asked in a different way. <br /><br /><b>How do we discern what is from God? </b><br /><br />When formed this way, I believe the Bible not only gives us hope but also gives us an answer—one we choose to believe by faith in His nature. <br /><br />So, my answer? <br /><br /><b>If it is good, it is from God</b>. His Word tells us He gives good gifts (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; James 1:17). <br /><br />God, by His nature, cannot give us evil gifts. It is not who He is. <br /><br />This is the first response I would give to this character—that she has lost her hope and her happiness because she’s begun to doubt the very nature of God, His goodness. <br /><br /><b>When we come to a place where we doubt God’s goodness, then what we see around us determines how we define God and His kingdom. </b>It becomes impossible to separate what we are experiencing (our circumstances) from our certainty or security in God’s love for us, for humanity. <br /><br />If He is not good, He is also not loving. If He’s neither loving nor good, then He is easy to blame for all of our bad circumstances, all accounts of evil, all of mankind’s failures. <br /><br />But He is good. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 119:68, which tells us <b>God is good and what He does is good. </b><br /> <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAzIKi_hhgI/YBQyMkZEISI/AAAAAAAAD-s/ZVsidPMOgmMRZa1Hi_EqyRcQ5TqPz4PiACLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG-8767.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAzIKi_hhgI/YBQyMkZEISI/AAAAAAAAD-s/ZVsidPMOgmMRZa1Hi_EqyRcQ5TqPz4PiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG-8767.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It is who He is—and the only way to crawl out of the pit of hopelessness is to believe this truth. <br /><br />When we do, it changes our perspective. It changes how we view and answer the rest of this character’s question—why do the innocent suffer? Or, put another way, why do bad things happen to good people? <br /><br />I’d argue there are three possible reasons—all grounded in the Bible, and I’ll try to be succinct. <br /><br />1. The first might be our favorite because it takes the responsibility off of us and becomes an easy scapegoat. What is this reason? The devil and his demons. But in all seriousness, the Bible is clear that <b>we have an enemy, an adversary, and he comes “to steal, kill, and destroy” </b>(John 10:10). I am not a big “blame it on the Devil” person, but I also think if we don’t understand the very real and present powers of darkness that are at work (Ephesians 6:12), then we are both naïve and deceived. <br /><br />2. The second is less popular because it is our responsibility, the result of our choices. Since the Garden of Eden, there have always been two choices: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16). Adam and Even chose the second tree (Genesis 3), and mankind today still chooses it, even believers. Our choices have consequences. We may be reaping what we have sown (Galatians 6:7-8). No one likes this answer, but it’s simply the truth.<br /><br /> God redeems us from our sin. He doesn’t punish us for our sin. The Bible is clear about that—Jesus is our atonement (Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 2:2).<br /><br /> And yet, these truths also exist. <b>We make choices. And our choices have consequences. </b><br /><br />3. And finally—the least popular answer, because it’s both out of our control and hard to swallow: <b>sometimes God simply allows it.</b> We see this play out in the book of Job (Job 2:1-10). The Word also tells us trials are for our testing (James 1:2-4), to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12-13), for our refinement (Malachi 3:3; 1 Peter 1:17), for our sanctification (John 17:17-20; Hebrews 13:12-13), for our good (Romans 8:28-30). None of these processes are easy—or fun. <br /><br />The truth is, we may never know the reason why. <br /><br />And let’s be clear here that even if God allows our pain, our suffering, our hard circumstances, our unfair situation—it is not <i>from </i>Him. <br /><br />Remember, if something is<i> from God</i>, it is good, loving, peaceable (James 3:16-18). These are the gifts He gives. If it lines up with His nature, it is from Him. <br /><br />And if you find yourself in a place that doesn’t feel good, what can you do? <br /><br />I implore you, friends, don’t throw in the towel, as this character has done. Don’t abandon your relationship with your Heavenly Father. <br /><br />Now, in this present circumstances, is the time to press in, to receive His love, His song over you, and to believe in His everlasting goodness and faithfulness. <br /><br />Won’t you do it? Look for His goodness today. <br /><br />Each good gift is like a knot on a rope, giving you a place to grip, a way to find footing as you climb out of the pit. <br /><br />Keep climbing, friends. Keep gripping. <br /><br /><br />Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-75368933285555839392021-01-26T00:00:00.006-06:002021-01-26T00:00:04.408-06:00Fear of Man: Part Two<p>“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord
is safe.” – Proverbs 29:25.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnngWpiUdGU/X_vJay_kcRI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/YfS-dYxSURUIlFrIcozaFsLvoCbKIR-KwCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG_8622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="781" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnngWpiUdGU/X_vJay_kcRI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/YfS-dYxSURUIlFrIcozaFsLvoCbKIR-KwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8622.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stop
Calling Me Beautiful</i>, Masonheimer reminds us that this verse doesn’t say
the fear of man <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> a snare, but
rather the fear of man <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lays</i> a snare.
She calls the fear of man the trapper, not the trap. I’m paraphrasing here, but
she basically says the trapper deceives, hides the trap, makes it blend into
the surroundings, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feels</i> normal so
you’ll <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i> safe to walk in that
direction. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wow. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fear of man is a burden I don’t want to carry anymore.
It has weighed me down in some seasons more than others, but I want to be free.
Don’t you? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What’s the opposite of being taken in by the trapper?
Trusting the Lord. That’s how we stay safe. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As an example, I’m thinking about my writing, my platform,
and the whole process of trying to gain the approval an editor. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I changed genres from what I first set out to write because
someone in the industry suggested it—telling me my genre (women’s fiction /
contemporary fiction) won’t sell and suggesting instead that the manuscript be
something else. So I re-wrote that entire book to make it a romance because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">romance</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sells</i>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fast forward seven years, and I just finished re-writing
that book (again) back to women’s fiction because when I returned to God’s
words to me, what He has spoken over me about my writing, I remember that He
called my work to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real and relatable</i>,
to write about people, families, marriages that are authentic and flawed but so
capable of being redeemed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, I love a good love story—and my work will
probably <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> have some element of
that because the gospel is the greatest love story ever written. But my heart
has always been to write about women and overcoming their struggles within
themselves and in all relationships—marriage, family, friendships. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have also shied away from really writing some of the
stories on my heart because I get so worried about other people’s opinion. I
shared this with Howell for the first time last year when I told him, if I
write about a failing marriage, will people assume it’s ours? If I write about
sisters who hate each other, will people think I’m harboring some deep
resentment toward my own sister? If I write about a mom/daughter or
dad/daughter conflict, if I write about blending families or divorced parents, will
people question my own family, my own relationships? Will people think I’m
writing about them if their story is similar? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe this is a normal concern for writers who are getting
started, but I have felt so trapped by these fears for a while, and I think
making the decision to re-write my manuscript last fall was my first step
toward freedom. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the fear of man is not just about my writing. I’ve
entered a new season with a renewed desire to deepen the friendships I have—to
invest in new ones and to return to being real and vulnerable with the old
ones. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No area of people pleasing / people fearing affects me more
than communities of women. Friendships. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is not to say I can’t fall into the trap with my family
or in my marriage, but there’s a certain level of security there, right? I have
confidence in their love for me, no matter what I do or say. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The commitment to be friends—and stay friends—is not as
certain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that uncertainty makes me feel insecure. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And insecurity makes me want to control.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And sometimes control looks like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> engaging, because I’ll just get hurt. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Can you relate? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I like how it feels to be on the inside, but any reminder
that I’m really just on the fringe makes me feel insecure. And the people I
work the hardest to please and worry the most about disappointing are often not
even really my friends. They’re acquaintances at best and strangers at worst. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can sometimes get so caught up in wondering and trying to
anticipate what other people want or think that I lose sight of what I even
want or think. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And even more muddied from what I want or think becomes
deciphering what God wants or thinks about me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t that what happened with my writing and the
back-and-forth genre struggle? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t that what happens when I shrink back from other women,
when I choose not to engage, when I avoid getting hurt? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But if I listen to what God thinks about me, I would know
He’s already pleased. I have his full approval. I’m accepted and loved. I have
need of nothing else because nothing else can really top that. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fear of man <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lays</i>
a snare, but I choose not to let the trapper trick me. Not this year. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will trust the Lord. I will believe what He says about me.
I will listen for his voice above the noise. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What about you, friends? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">P.S. If you missed Part One, check it out <a href="https://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2021/01/peace-or-fear-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-73594384570025476032021-01-12T00:00:00.008-06:002021-01-12T00:00:00.238-06:00Peace or Fear: Part One<p>“I don’t want to die.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These are my forced, barely whispered words between gasps
for air as Howell and I argued (again) about whether to call an ambulance and
have (<a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2019/05/miracle-from-heaven.html" target="_blank">another</a>) visit to the ER. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It sounds dramatic, but even now, weeks later I can still
remember the fear that gripped me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t stand, couldn’t think straight.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because the only thoughts running through my brain were 1)
our hospitals are over maxed capacity; 2) if I go to the hospital, they’ll put
me on a ventilator; and 3) if I go in, I might not come out. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fear. Fear. Fear. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was truly terrified. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Obviously, I didn’t die, though I did feel like death for a
while. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And while I did have COVID pneumonia, my symptoms weren’t actually
related to the virus. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And while all of this did lead to another surgery this year
(after the almost baseball-sized tumor on my thyroid this summer), I did not
have to stay in the hospital this time. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I keep coming back to that moment, to those words, to
that level of gut-wrenching fear. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What if I don’t come home? What if I never see Howell’s face
again? Never hold my girl? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can think of at least two other life-threatening moments I
have experienced (this was not), and the stark contrast between my fear here
and the peace I felt in those moments is astounding. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peace or fear. <a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2020/12/stepping-forward.html" target="_blank">I get to choose, right</a>? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have experienced and witnessed a lot of fear lately. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fear falls into two camps, one related to our (potential)
circumstances and one related to people. I’m hoping to dive into this second
one in a Part 2 post, but for now—and for this specific situation—my fear was
definitely about a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">potential</i>
circumstance. What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">might</i> happen. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Years ago, Jackie Mize called FEAR <u>F</u>alse <u>E</u>vidence
<u>A</u>gainst <u>R</u>eality. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t that so true? What we fear almost never comes to
reality. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kris Vallotton says it like this: “Fear is imagining the
future without God.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s look at Jesus’s words to us in John 14:27. He says,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid.” <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpCbLId5NpU/X_vGp2H0qgI/AAAAAAAAD9A/a0Hyr80Gyawl1j4S9KQme6ZJ9fr7BgIUACLcBGAsYHQ/s606/IMG_8621%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="606" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpCbLId5NpU/X_vGp2H0qgI/AAAAAAAAD9A/a0Hyr80Gyawl1j4S9KQme6ZJ9fr7BgIUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8621%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">How can He tell us not to have troubled hearts, not to be
afraid?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because He has given us his peace. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have the peace of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have the gift of the Holy Spirit’s presence at all times.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have the promise of God’s goodness and faithfulness
always. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What better news could He give us? His Word tells us that no
weapon formed against us shall prosper (IS. 54:17). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But here’s the question… Here’s where we have to get real: Do we really believe His word? Do we believe what He says is true? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have struggled with this question more in the last year
than most recent years, specifically in the area of healing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because sometimes God doesn’t heal in the way we want or ask,
no matter how firmly we believed or how repeatedly we prayed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And because sometimes hard stuff still happens to us, even when
we prayed it wouldn’t. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In these moments, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feels</i>
like God’s word isn’t true. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But we have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to choose</i>.
We choose to say yes to His word, yes to His nature, yes to His character. We
stand on His faithfulness in the past. We stand on His sovereignty and the good
plans He has for us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s okay to ask the hard questions. How are you being real
with Him if you don’t? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ask and listen—and then trust and believe. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And if you find your heart troubled by present or potential
circumstances, don’t give in to the fear. Embrace the peace that is available. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">p.s. If you need a pep talk for overcoming fear and
embracing what God says about you, read Romans 8 every day this week. I promise
you’ll be encouraged. <o:p></o:p></p>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-36423191816015540762020-12-29T10:27:00.002-06:002020-12-29T10:36:31.860-06:00Stepping Forward<p>I started blogging in 2007, before blogging was popular.
(And I’m now told that it’s dying, like all things print, because people only
want to watch or listen. Gosh, I hope this isn’t true.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I created this site on Blogspot, before there were
other fancier forums, I titled it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Obeying
the Call</i> because that’s what it felt like. Every post seemed vulnerable to
share—and to do so was always my act of obedience. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m an introvert—and not the kind that thrives in virtual spaces
where I could have a larger-than-life personality. I’m afraid my online persona
is basically the same as me in real life. (To give a slightly embarrassing example,
even social media posts that get a lot of comments can sometimes overwhelm me,
and I’m always in awe of those who can reply (cleverly) to each person.
Meanwhile I’m like—ahh, all. the. people.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And so, here I go again—sharing and being vulnerable—because
I feel God nudging my heart to pick up my blogging pen more in 2021. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2020 was awful. I think we can all agree. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I lost two friends.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had COVID twice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had two non-elective surgeries.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You see a pattern there? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I started studying the significance of the number two, and
although not the only symbolism for this number, two can represent division or
contrast or opposites. Like a line in the sand—that’s the picture God gave me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The number two
represents a choice.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Life or death. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Light or darkness.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith or fear.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spirit or flesh.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peace or anxiety.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tree of Life or Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Two masters: God or money.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The narrow gate or the wide gate. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>There are always two paths. We always have to choose. </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kW3P59rpjc/X-tYCEGjD0I/AAAAAAAAD7I/--hOv-hyd0oSJOTofpr9m-65B3xBLkYFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s715/Stepping%2BForward.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kW3P59rpjc/X-tYCEGjD0I/AAAAAAAAD7I/--hOv-hyd0oSJOTofpr9m-65B3xBLkYFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Stepping%2BForward.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God continually invites us to go deeper. Writing that
sentence reminds me of a dream I had years ago where God opened the door to a
staircase and said, “Come.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s always a new step, a deeper level of discernment, a
stronger capacity for faith, a fresh understanding of His Word. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ll never have all the answers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ll never have Him all figured out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ll never know everything there is to know about His Word.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ll never <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
need Him. (Yep—double negative there. That’s how strong this truth is.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Aren’t you glad? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 2021, God is still opening doors to staircases for me,
still extending His hand, still saying “Come.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And He offers you the same invitation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we asked for, but do you
know what He never withholds? His presence. His goodness. His faithfulness. His
joy. His love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when we look back, when we reflect, we see that He’s
always answering, always working, always making a way. Sometimes it’s a new
path. Sometimes it’s the same. But we have to move, participate, engage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have a choice this year, this day, this hour. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m taking a step forward. How about you? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-57467523563086537622019-09-03T13:23:00.000-05:002019-09-03T13:27:42.240-05:002019 ACFW Mix and Mingle<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Hey friends! In a few weeks, I'll be attending the ACFW Conference in San Antonio, and this week, I'm participating in the annual Mix and Mingle, hosted this year by my friend, <a href="http://janinerosche.com/2019/09/2019-acfw-pre-conference-mix-mingle/?fbclid=IwAR3O3W_NsEC6hxUpvmV_IHItrpJoNgrZGa1-2Y--nLL_kcuyXlAz7v0qIJ0" target="_blank">Janine</a>. </span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMHNiJHupEs/XW6utKm-7jI/AAAAAAAAB-M/jtvfdt40s0QCAMsiA_WZzf0nTtX327IPQCLcBGAs/s1600/MIX-AND-MINGLE-2019-956x675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="956" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMHNiJHupEs/XW6utKm-7jI/AAAAAAAAB-M/jtvfdt40s0QCAMsiA_WZzf0nTtX327IPQCLcBGAs/s400/MIX-AND-MINGLE-2019-956x675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Name:</span> Laura Brandenburg</div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Location:</span> West Texas (near Lubbock)</div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">What you write/tagline/trademark:</span> I write feel-good, real-life stories of redemption, forgiveness, and grace. </div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Place in the book world: </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I'm an a</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">vid reader. C</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">urrently pre-published. My agent and I sent out proposals this summer for my split time novel. </span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space:</span> I'm definitely a hugger, but maybe a bit reserved with new friends. </div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Something VERY serious: How do you take your Starbucks? </span>I usually get a flat white or a vanilla latte, but it's pumpkin spice latte season, which is my fav! Mmmm.</div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">The unique talking points that will get you going for hours:</span> I love college football and Gilmore Girls and grammar. And like most writers, I love talking about books. I read all sorts of genres for both CBA and ABA markets, but my favorite authors are Kristen Heitzmann and Charles Martin. </div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Loved ones at home you’ll be missing:</span> I'll be 31 weeks pregnant, so I'm bringing along my hubs and our soon-to-be daughter, but we'll be missing our Weimaraner, RIzzoli, at home. </div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Conference goals we can pray for?</span> I am hoping to have good meetings with editors and, of course, get the request for my manuscript. I also want to meet and connect with authors. I come away from ACFW every year grateful for the new friends I've made. We need each other on this journey, and so I'm praying for re-connections and new connections. </div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Anything we can celebrate with you? </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">After years of praying and believing God for a baby, we are expecting our first this November! That's not book news, but it's the best news ever. :) (In book news, I finished my third book earlier this year and am working on a companion e-book. :))</span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">One or two ways we can help you build your platform? </span>If you like to read or write, I'd love for you to follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/Grace2Write" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lauracbrandenburg/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or sign up for my <a href="https://www.lauracbrandenburg.com/" target="_blank">newsletter</a>.<br />
<br />
I hope to see you in San Antonio! Remember to link back to Janine's page if you're participating in the mingle. </div>
Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-15528435676715408732019-05-09T11:16:00.000-05:002019-05-09T11:16:23.894-05:00Miracle from Heaven<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have seen God perform miracle after miracle this
year—from His provision to His yes to His word of comfort to me when Howell
found me sprawled on the bathroom floor, in and out of consciousness. All I
could say each time the pain subsided was our baby is going to be okay. God
told me so. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I need to start at the beginning… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last December, the Lord told us we would have a baby in
2019. We felt both excited and a bit doubtful. After all, over the last eight
years, God has given us a lot of words confirming that we will have
children—and sometimes, we’ve even thought we heard him say a specific time
frame, only to be disappointed with another “not yet,” “not this year.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the little faith we had, we bought a crib on December
27 and began to wonder whether we were supposed to try fertility again or
pursue adoption again—all paths we’ve tried before. We made an appointment in
January with our fertility specialist—a consultation—and we decided we’d let
God tell us through her. She’d journeyed with us these long eight years, and if
she thought there’s nothing left to try, then so be it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To our surprise, she suggested IVF—one more time. It had
been five years since we tried it the first time—and since then, God had healed so many parts
of my body, miraculous changes that even she had witnessed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God opened all the doors and provided us so much peace.
Everything about the process was easy—even taking 4,592 shots. <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif;">😊</span>
The appointments fell on perfect non-teaching days. My body was responding as
it should. And the timing for the egg retrieval and transfer came at spring
break, the ideal week for no stress. Then we waited, as we’ve waited so many
times before.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TURfQNoRyC0/XNRQ97jMwcI/AAAAAAAAB7o/RjWnKlw86MYYvxNwljBbRr99rkUE5YAdACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TURfQNoRyC0/XNRQ97jMwcI/AAAAAAAAB7o/RjWnKlw86MYYvxNwljBbRr99rkUE5YAdACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1365.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IVF Transfer Day!</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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On March 20, I took yet another home test (impatient for the
blood test we’d have later that morning). I can’t tell you how many hundreds of
them I’ve taken over the years. All negative. Always “not pregnant” flashing on
the screen. We held our breath in the bathroom, and then the words appeared,
words I’d not once seen and have long desired: “pregnant.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I began to weep—really more like wail, I couldn’t even
recognize the sound coming out of the depths of me. Howell had to check the
test again—and then said, “it’s positive right?” and we had a good laugh
despite the tears running down my face. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our miracle had begun to form, to take shape, to grow and
develop as he or she should. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Every day felt like a battle of fear. I would declare God’s
word to us over and over, repeating every scripture I’d ever memorized. And the longer we stretched through the first trimester, the
more confidence I gained. This was happening. Our baby was coming. He or she
continued to grow and progress perfectly, which is why—when I found myself
writhing in pain on the floor at almost ten weeks, when God told me our baby
would live, I believed him. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Howell wanted to go to the hospital right away, but I kept
saying, it’s okay, the baby is ok—God said so. He began to pray over me in that
bathroom, quoting scripture and declaring God’s word over us. After several
minutes of intense pain, I gave in and told him to help me up because I didn’t
want to pay for an ambulance (ha!). But I blacked out again in his arms, and despite
my wishes, ended up being carried by two EMTs moments later. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not fifteen minutes after we got to the ER, we had a sonogram
and knew right away we still had a heartbeat. The tech got a different sonogram
machine and did more searching—and less talking. Then the doctor gave us the
news: I had a heterotopic pregnancy, which meant I had one embryo in utero and
one ruptured embryo in my fallopian tube. They wanted to send us to Lubbock
right away for the surgery, as already I had blood in my abdomen, which was the main source of my pain. Our fertility specialist stood by in Lubbock, ready to do the
procedure with confidence that she could do the surgery and still save the one in utero. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I ended up being air lifted to
Lubbock, where I was in surgery within minutes after landing. Afterwards, our
doctor said the flight saved my life. I’d lost 1.7 liters of blood, which is a lot. They transfused me with blood during surgery—and for the
next several days afterwards. While the ruptured ectopic pregnancy is dangerous, so
is the bleeding disorder I've been diagnosed with for years—and together, they created the
perfect storm.</div>
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But we know the One who walks on water, who calms the raging
seas, who tells us, “do not be afraid.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve never felt so covered in prayer. So many were literally
standing in the gap for us. One of our friends happened to be in the
neighborhood and was praying over me as they wheeled me out of the house. Other friends were at the ER as soon as we got there and immediately
started praying over us. Even the precious care flight crew paused before loading me to pray with us. And I kept telling everyone who came—the baby is going to be okay. God
said so. </div>
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The Plainview and Lubbock waiting rooms were full of people
who prayed and believed, not only for my life but for our baby’s life as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We grieve the one we did not know, will not get to meet. But we rejoice for the baby
who is coming. He or she is a trooper, a fighter, a survivor. An answered prayer. A promise fulfilled. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our God is good and gracious and powerful. And He’s not done
yet. These next two trimesters are going to be full of peace and joy and
anticipation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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His word is true: with God, nothing is impossible. He has delivered on his promise to us. What He has done for me, He can do you for you. </div>
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We give him thanks and praise and all the glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
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P.S. I need a few more lines to say how incredible my
husband has been during all of this. I knew I’d married a powerful man of God.
I knew I loved him deeply. He has been my best friend and my partner in all
things for the last almost eleven years. But my love for him has deepened in a
way I can’t describe. His inability to leave my bedside. His patience and
tenderness as he’s showered me, dressed me, and bandaged my incisions. His hard
work to do every.single.thing around the house, from laundry to dishes, while
I’ve been homebound. His persistence to pray over me, as he
has these eight long years, and to believe with me that God has answered our
prayers, that He will deliver on His word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are single, my friend, never, ever, ever settle for less
than a man who will love you when you are pale and weak and in need of his
airplane noises while he spoon-feeds you Jell-O. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-82989600884609381892019-01-29T00:00:00.000-06:002019-01-29T16:10:55.532-06:00Got Plans? Sometimes it's easier to think our plans are better than God's--that we know better, and if only He'd listen and do things our way, He would see how great our ideas are.<br />
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Ever been there? I know I have--and it's a battle to remind myself that He knows better. He sees our future.<br />
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Miles Sweeney preached at our church last fall, and at one point in his sermon, he said, "God enters our life from the future."<br />
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There's a Casting Crowns song that says it like this: "To you my future is a memory."<br />
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Over and over again, God's word is clear that He has good plans for us, that He determines our steps, that He leads us to the best place--green pastures and still waters.<br />
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And in my life, I can recall example after example where God had a better way. Like the time I really wanted to go to A&M and study journalism. And God wanted me to go to Angelo State instead--a much better plan for my life because it's where I met Howell.<br />
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Speaking of my hubs reminds me of another one of my plans. It was my senior year at Angelo, and I was going to grad school the next fall, moving back to Lubbock. I had it all figured out--and my plan did not include dating. What a distraction! I told the Lord I didn't want to date until I finished my PhD.<br />
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Then enter Howell, stage left.<br />
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He was not part of my plan. His timing was all wrong.<br />
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How could we date if I was moving?<br />
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How we could get married if we lived three hours apart?<br />
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How could I be married if I wanted to focus on grad school?<br />
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I'm so glad when I graduated with my PhD in 2012, Howell and I had been married for four years. What a blessing he was to me during one of the harder seasons of my life.<br />
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Sometimes I took at my life, and I think: this is not what I planned--thirty-two, ten years of marriage, and an empty five-bedroom house.<br />
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It's easy to say, this is not how it was supposed to work out. It's not how we planned it.<br />
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I have to remember--to remind myself--God knows the best way, the best plan, the best timing, the best story.<br />
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He writes far better than I do, and He's got a great plot in mind.<br />
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I don't know it. I can't predict it. I can't see it right now.<br />
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But He does. He sees from the future to now, and already, He's called it good.<br />
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What about you, friends? Is there something in your life you're waiting for? Is there a dream that's delayed?<br />
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Are you facing circumstances that feel unfair? Or life's not what you would've wanted? Not how you would've written this chapter?<br />
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Take heart. Take courage.<br />
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God's plans are far superior to ours, and we really can trust Him. He is good.<br />
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My prayer for 2019 is "lead me." Lead me to green pastures. Lead me beside still waters. Lead me to the path everlasting.<br />
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<br />Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-87158330877353839152019-01-15T00:00:00.001-06:002019-01-15T00:00:01.582-06:00Fav Reads of 2018 Y'all, 2018 was a good year for books. I surpassed my reading goal for the year (and devoured six books in ten days over my Christmas break! :)) Today, I'm sharing my top-five favorite fiction I read in 2018 and my top five from the TBR pile for 2019.<br />
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Favorite Books I read in 2018:</h2>
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5. <i>Things I Never Told You</i> by Beth Vogt<br />
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4.<i> The Nightingale</i> by Kristen Hannah<br />
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3. <i>A Fall of Marigolds</i> by Susan Meissner<br />
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2. <i>Before We Were Yours</i> by Lisa Wingate<br />
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1. Katherine Reay. Yes--not a book, just an author because in 2018, I read everything she's ever written (so far!), and I can't pick just one favorite (<i>Dear Mr. Knightly</i> and <i>Lizzy and Jane</i> and <i>The Austen Escape</i> and <i>The Bronte Plot</i> and <i>A Portrait of Emily Price</i>)<br />
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Books I'm excited to read in 2019:</h2>
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1. <i>The Rancher's Unexpected Baby</i> by Jill Lynn (release date: January 15). (Spoiler alert--I already read this and loved it, but it's not out for all of you until TODAY--Jan 15--so go get a copy! :))<br />
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2. <i>The Printed Letter Bookshop</i> by Katherine Reay (release date: May 14)<br />
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3. <i>Moments We Forget</i> by Beth Vogt (release date: May 7)<br />
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4. <i>The Memory House </i>by Rachel Hauck (release date: April 2)<br />
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5. <i>Summer by the Tides</i> by Denise Hunter (release date: May 21)<br />
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What about you, friend? What do you recommend that you read last year? And what books are on your TBR pile for 2019?Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-88733530925813550512019-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:002019-01-02T17:12:51.697-06:00Top Nine of 2018Happy New Year, friends! I couldn't figure out how everyone was posting their top nine in a single photo on social media, but I wanted to share mine with you:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-zW9JjQxo4/XCqlKIp_HLI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ZDdw7ULbdg43Q3NwBdRi8tetxM_n1mrowCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-zW9JjQxo4/XCqlKIp_HLI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ZDdw7ULbdg43Q3NwBdRi8tetxM_n1mrowCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to San Diego in March for a conference and found $13 lobster! I was completely freaked out to eat it, but I love this picture because it reminds me that my precious hubs makes me brave. (p.s. It was delicious!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhTGr_NvTF8/XCqhbr-9urI/AAAAAAAAB2U/24duj4j2ECcjgHqR3VXBE9sfQX5ToK0ngCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhTGr_NvTF8/XCqhbr-9urI/AAAAAAAAB2U/24duj4j2ECcjgHqR3VXBE9sfQX5ToK0ngCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1084.JPG" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lost Charlie in April, and I still miss him. He was an incredible dog. We didn't rescue him; he rescued us! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to Charleston in June for our 10-year anniversary.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iITu6ZTKnMA/XCqhbndlt3I/AAAAAAAAB2c/AVL1nSFD7_ozFiShHMUHjwjWojW-at20QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iITu6ZTKnMA/XCqhbndlt3I/AAAAAAAAB2c/AVL1nSFD7_ozFiShHMUHjwjWojW-at20QCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1089.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hubs always makes me feel special on my birthday, but I especially love the faith he has for our family. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving my thank-you speech for the ACFW Genesis Award was definitely a highlight of 2018.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoFxoKiePLI/XCqhdKUTTWI/AAAAAAAAB2o/n7wtiLcY26cKZu0tRoxgBjPmiKRCs8f2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoFxoKiePLI/XCqhdKUTTWI/AAAAAAAAB2o/n7wtiLcY26cKZu0tRoxgBjPmiKRCs8f2ACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1093.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took our annual family trip to Wimberley, and this was one of my fav pics from the weekend. Canyon's face is priceless. (Don't worry, Doc got Canyon a telescope for Christmas. :))</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spend as much time with our nephews as possible, but our day at the Corn Maize may be one of my favorites in 2018.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our only TTU Football game of 2018 (and a disappointment at that)--but my family is my favorite. I'm so glad I have a sister because I'll always have a friend.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't even know how to caption this. We spent a lot of time at Caprock Canyons this summer and fall. Camping. Hiking. Disconnecting from the world and connecting with our maker. I can't put into words how grateful I am for this man. I will follow him always. </td></tr>
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How was your 2018? What're your top nine pics--or memories?Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-43768042575693198222018-12-04T00:00:00.000-06:002018-12-04T00:00:07.839-06:00Merry Christmas!Every December, we take a break from the blog to focus on our families and refuel for the new year. From the Brandenburgs--including Rizzoli--we hope you have a wonderful Christmas!<br />
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Check back in January for new posts--and in the meantime, catch up on old posts:</div>
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<a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/search/label/Marriage%20Mondays" target="_blank">#MarriageMonday</a></div>
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Most Popular:</div>
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- <a href="https://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2018/02/hes-in-waiting.html" target="_blank">He's in the Waiting</a></div>
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- <a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2015/12/his-joy-comes-in-morning.html" target="_blank">His Joy Comes in the Morning</a></div>
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- <a href="https://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2017/11/swinging-pendulum.html" target="_blank">Swinging Pendulum</a></div>
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- <a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2013/08/having-faith-in-gap.html" target="_blank">Having Faith in the Gap</a></div>
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- <a href="http://lbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2016/11/planting-seeds-of-faith-reminders-this.html" target="_blank">Planting Seeds of Faith: Reminders this Harvest Season</a></div>
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Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-37102128755603162822018-11-20T00:00:00.000-06:002018-11-20T00:00:01.127-06:00Holiday Giveaway - Sign Up Now!<br />
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Calling all subscribers! I am getting ready to send out my
December newsletter in a few weeks. Are you signed up? <o:p></o:p></div>
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In it, I’ll share some writerly updates, AND I am giving away TWO fun holiday books—<i>A Cliché Christmas</i>,
by Nicole Deese, and <i>Falling like Snowflakes</i>, by Denise Hunter.<br />
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I’ll pick two lucky winners from my list of subscribers, so
if you’re on the list—you’re in the drawing! And if you’re not, trust me—my newsletters
may not be awe-inspiring or earth-shattering, but these lovely authors are.</div>
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The drawing will be held on or after December 3, so be sure
to sign up now by going to my <a href="http://www.lauracbrandenburg.com/" target="_blank">website </a>and entering your email at the top right corner. </div>
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<br />Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-6452394045797536192018-11-12T00:00:00.000-06:002018-11-12T00:00:06.783-06:00Pray!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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We talk a lot about different things you can do to improve your marriage, like communicating, developing good financial practices, and prioritizing marriage and family time. To tell you the truth though, none of those can be as powerful a force in your marriage as prayer. There is just no substitute. I want to address a few areas of prayer for you marriage today. <br /><br />First, <b>pray with your spouse</b>. This sounds simple, but very few people make it a point to do this outside of praying for meals and true emergencies. I was inspired by one of my good friends and brother in Christ a few years ago who makes it a point to pray with his wife and kids every night before bed. At first it was awkward for him. He didn’t feel that he was “good” at it, but in reality, his family respected him immensely for it. I also didn’t feel that I was that good at it. I’m not great at using all the “Christianese” expressions in my prayers, but God hears them. I know He does. I see the results.<br /><br />Next, <b>pray for your spouse</b>. Make this a priority in your life. You love this person more than anyone else on the planet. Pray for them! Pray they have a good day. Pray for protection. Pray for health. Pray for the things that you know need to change. There is no better way to see change in someone’s life than to pray for it. You don’t have to be eloquent. Just be fervent.<br /><br />Lastly, and this is not repetitive: <b>Pray for your marriage</b>. God knows your marriage better than either of you. He knows what is needed to change it in a great way. Pray for that and believe it will happen. He will work miracles!<br /><br />So, in case you haven’t gotten the message here, prayer is an important pillar of your marriage. I told Laura that would be a short blog because I could really sum it up in one sentence: Prayer will change your marriage. Period. <br /><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />~Howell <br />@G2WHubs</span>Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-67468123267293993822018-11-06T00:00:00.000-06:002018-11-06T00:00:02.158-06:00When it doesn't feel okay...<br />
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I have had this quote running through my head for weeks: “Everything
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If it’s not okay, IT’S NOT THE END. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am a sucker for happy endings. I like it when the guy and
girl get together. When the family is reunited. When the team wins. When the
hero succeeds and the enemy is defeated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love it all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes the sad ending is the realistic one—but I’ve been
thinking lately, even if it’s sad, it’s not over; it’s not the end. There’s
tomorrow, there’s next year, there’s another season, another chance. Even in
the face of death, there’s life for those who remain. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Isn’t that the truth of God’s redemptive story for us? <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have hope—always—because it’s not the end. And when it is
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That’s why His hope never disappoints (Rom 5:8), why it is
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The other day, I feel like the Lord reminded me that anyone
who is destined for greatness must have a good story. And any good story
requires an obstacle, a conflict, an unfulfilled dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe you need to hear that today. You’re destined for
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How can we be sure?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because God’s word is true, and He’s promised His plans for
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What’s your obstacle right now? Whatever it is, it’s not
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Take heart, my friend, if you’re struggling today.
It’s only for a season, a chapter, a section, a volume—but it’s not forever,
and it’s not the end. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-50329627086813835322018-10-29T00:00:00.000-05:002018-10-29T18:13:08.275-05:00Marriage Is Like a...<br />
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I have a porcelain tea bag holder shaped as a teapot with a
flower inside it that sits next to my kitchen sink to hold my rings when I’m
cooking. A friend bought it for me in England because she knew how fondly I
remember my semester abroad in London. Although the little teapot shattered once,
I glued each piece back together with great care, and I like the imperfection
of it so much that it still sits in its same place. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Last week, I was doing dishes and thinking about what to
write for this blog post, and I felt like the Lord told me that my porcelain
teapot could be a metaphor for marriages. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Everyone’s marriage faces a chip or two over the years. Some
end up with entire cracks and separation. Some get glued back together with
care, restored completely. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I fully believe every marriage faces a moment, at least one,
when both people are confronted with the decision—stay and fight for their
marriage or give up. It may be a dramatic standoff, or it may be after years of
passivity where the relationship has lost priority, and both people are just
biding their time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For Howell and me, our first year of marriage wasn’t the
toughest. It was years two and three. I remember after one particular fight, I
felt deceived and defeated. We seemed to be in the same pattern, and I couldn’t
do it anymore. I was truly on the brink of giving up. We were young. We didn’t
have any kids. Why stay? <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next morning, I saw a man whose red and puffy eyes
matched my own, and I’ve never questioned our marriage since then—no matter
what we have faced. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God was gracious to us in that season. We learned a lot
about ourselves and each other and most of all about who God is and what He can
do in our hearts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He became the super glue that mended those broken places
until they were stronger than ever before. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What about you, friends? Can you remember a time in your
marriage that felt like a line in the sand? What compelled you to stay and
fight? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe you’re feeling cracked and broken even now, and super
glue doesn’t feel possible. I can promise you, it’s worth the process to let
God mend your marriage. It’s a supernatural feat only He can accomplish in us—if
we’re willing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ask for help. Seek wise counsel. See a counselor. Whatever
you need to do—but don’t stop fighting or your marriage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-78066463244531326852018-10-22T18:17:00.000-05:002018-10-22T18:17:00.575-05:00A Heart of SacrificeLast weekend I spoke at a breakout session at our church’s women’s event, and I wanted to share just a small part of my talk for this week’s post because God put this message on my heart—and I hope it’ll challenge you like it’s challenged me. <br /><br />My message was about giving, and what I wanted to get at was the idea that giving is more about our heart than it is about money. Money is just the means, the tool that gets talked about the most. But a heart of giving is really tied to a heart of sacrifice. <br /><br />Remember Abraham’s story—when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac? <br /><br />The story is in Genesis 22 (read the whole chapter <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.22.ESV" target="_blank">here</a>). The summary version is God says, hey, Abraham, take your son, your only son whom you love, and offer him to me as a burnt offering. And Abraham rose early the next morning to do it. He didn’t wait. He didn’t delay. He just got up and went. And he doesn’t just go—he makes preparation for the offering. <br /><br />I’m sure most of you have heard this story’s ending, right? God sees Abraham’s obedience, his willingness to sacrifice his son—his only son—and so God provides a ram instead. <br /><br />Abraham calls this place Jehovah Jirah—which we translate as the Lord who provides. The literal meaning here is the Lord who sees to it. I love that. God sees to it that Abraham is provided for—but only AFTER he was willing to sacrifice what he valued. <div>
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<br /><br />What do you value most in this life? Now imagine that God asked you to give it up, to give away the most precious thing in your life. And not just give it up, but literally sacrifice it on the altar. <br /><br />Was your most valuable thing a person? Your children or your spouse? <br /><br />I can’t even comprehend how hard it would be to sacrifice my husband. I literally can’t imagine my life without him. And we don’t have children, but like Abraham, we have promises from God. Abraham waited 25 years for his promised son. We’ve only waited 7, and it feels like a lifetime sometimes. What if God asked me to sacrifice my baby that I’ve waited seven, eight, ten years for? <br /><br />Abraham didn’t question God. None of it makes sense. This is his promised son we’re talking about. But he didn’t argue. He keeps going—and trusting. <div>
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We read this story already knowing the outcome, but HE DID NOT KNOW THE OUTCOME, y’all. He thought he was about to kill his son. And he was willing to do it because it was what God had asked him to do. <br /><br />This story is all about Abraham’s willingness to give up something he loved and valued as an act of worship and obedience. <br /><br />A heart of giving is more about surrender than anything else. And it’s not really surrender or sacrifice unless it hurts a little, unless it tugs at you—you know what I mean? Like ouch, that’s hard to give up. <br /><br />But here’s the blessing when we do—remember God’s words to Abraham? He promised to bless him, to multiply his offspring, to give them the land of their enemies, to bless the nations through his children. That’s a pretty massive promise. <br /><br />God has been dealing with me on this message—are there places in my life, areas of value that I hold back, dreams I haven’t given Him? <br /><br />If he asked me to sacrifice my greatest desire, would I do be willing? <br /><br />What about you, friends? Is there anything you are holding back? Anything closed fisted? <br /><br />I pray we would open our heart, be generous, and be willing to say yes. <br /><br /> <br /> </div>
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Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-10085517908976321602018-10-15T12:58:00.000-05:002018-10-15T12:58:44.193-05:00Important MomentsI’ve talked before about being present in your marriage, but it's on my mind right now. In the days of smartphones and Facebook, it can’t be emphasized enough. Our society is heading in a direction where quality time is just not a priority. I want to be specific in encouraging you to be present today. Be present in the moments that matter. Be present when it’s most important. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />This week, I was spending some time with Laura when we had a long drive, but it seemed like everything was going wrong at work without me there. To be honest, I worked more than I had to. To be even more honest, I didn’t help solve the situation at work very much either. I just wasted an afternoon. This wasn’t one of those important-times-that-I’ll-remember-for-the-rest-of-my-life moments, but it got me to thinking about them. <br /><br />As I’m writing this, we are at a family retreat for Laura’s family. It’s one of those times when we’ll make memories that actually do last a lifetime. We have nephews and grandparents and everything in between. I got to thinking about times in my life when I haven't been present for those moments. A phone call comes in or a work emergency presents itself. Has that happened to you? <br /><br />Every day, there are moments with our spouse or family to cherish. These are times we’ll never get back, and we may never get to have again. Only God knows what tomorrow holds. Don’t be the absent dad, mom, husband, or wife that only got to see the video. There is no replacement for the best of memories. Be there for all the “remember that one time” that you can.<div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">~Howell</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">@G2WHubs</span></div>
Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016185828166815297.post-24227709938876140472018-10-09T00:00:00.000-05:002018-10-09T00:00:06.371-05:00A Letter to the Not-Yet Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To the Not-Yet Mom from a Not-Yet Mom:<br />
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I’ve been on this not-yet journey for seven years, and I was thinking recently about how much pressure I have felt—and sometimes still feel—about all the things I could “do” to make this desire in my heart a reality. (As if I am sovereign, and He is not.)<br />
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Do you ever feel that way? <br />
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Well-intentioned people will have plenty of suggestions about what you could or should do, like stay away from plastic, gluten, dairy, sugar, diet drinks, and so on. Or they'll suggest a variety of products, vitamins, regimens, etc. because of someone they know who did X or Y, and SHE got pregnant.<br />
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That doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the fertility conversation—what doctor to go to, what hormones to take, what procedures to do.<br />
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Here’s the truth: People mean well—they really do. And for the most part, they don’t know what to say or how to help, so they fall back on what they know or have heard, especially if they haven’t actually walked through infertility. <br />
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But friends, can I be real with you?<br />
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It’s way too easy to get sucked into the “if I do this, then” trap. <br />
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Bottom line? <br />
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Women get pregnant every day—because God opens their womb and causes them to carry a baby.<br />
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The Bible is very clear that God creates and sustains life. No one else. Nothing else. Period. <br />
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Read your Sarah stories and Rachel stories and Hannah stories and Elizabeth stories. Want to know why they conceived? Because God opened their womb at the exact moment, at the exact time He said He would. <br />
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I’m not saying you can’t take the pills and eat the diet—or even that those things don’t help. (Trust me, I've done them—and am doing them.)<br />
<b><br />But what I want for you, and for me, is FREEDOM from the pressure that we have to do or be or say just the right things to MAKE this happen in our bodies. </b><br />
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Be prayerful about what you do or don’t do—but the only voice of wisdom you have to hear from is God’s. And fortunately for us, He’s promised to give us wisdom anytime we ask for it (James 1:5). <br />
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Rest, my friend, in God’s goodness and in His perfect plan. I know the LAST thing you want to hear right now is to wait on His timing. Believe me, I went through a season where I loathed the phrase. But it’s the truth—He knows what He’s doing. <br />
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I’m here if you need me. And I’m always praying—for you and for me. <br />
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Laura</div>
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Laura C. Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566034195478018369noreply@blogger.com0