tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71284265321015258312024-03-12T21:18:22.108-05:00Got Faith?Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-72082051286806400362017-08-29T14:30:00.001-05:002017-08-29T14:30:03.905-05:00Fruit of the Spirit Brag Tags<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: PerkilouBold; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;">FREE Printable Fruit of the Spirit Brag Tags</span></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1259" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bv3QTcwk-FY/WaXAgA-xbvI/AAAAAAAABGY/8RQaKBTFxJUXLMS_TZwr7dnky9xgusMhQCLcBGAs/s200/FRUITS13.png" width="156" /><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fruit-of-the-Spirit-Brag-Tags-3363539" target="_blank">Fruit of the Spirit Brag Tags</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: PerkilouBold; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;">Fun collectible rewards for students!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: PerkilouBold; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;">Give brags tags as rewards for great behavior, good work, and when you catch students displaying the fruit of the Spirit in action.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: PerkilouBold; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Print brag tags on card stock and
laminate or print on regular paper. <br />
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Give each student a metal ring to keep their cards on or a booklet to glue them
into. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: PerkilouBold; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Enjoy! ♥ Dina<br />
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Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-1892320700828281302017-08-10T18:18:00.002-05:002017-08-10T18:20:30.815-05:00Choose Joy, putting the fruit of the Spirit into action!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a link to my Choose Joy poster, my encouragement to myself to put the fruit of the Spirit into action in my life, family, and homeschool!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you would like to use this as a reminder, feel free to use it! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">♥ Dina</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Choose-Joy-3326874" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Choose Joy Printable</span></a>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-84205777041525940292016-09-01T10:57:00.003-05:002016-09-01T10:58:32.972-05:00<h2 class="_4lmk _2vxa autofocus _5s6c" display="block" tabindex="-1">
Works of the Flesh v. Fruit of the Spirit</h2>
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I have been studying lately about walking in the flesh v. walking in the spirit. I personally have read the both of these lists minus the definitions and didn’t think much of them. But, sad to say, with definitions I can find lots of areas in my heart and life that need surrender and cleansing!! Lord, work these things out of me and fill me fresh with Your Spirit!!! :)
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Immorality – wickedness, immoral behavior, vileness, corruption, dishonesty, unethical, bad, wrongful, foul <br />
Impurity – morally wrong, especially in sexual matters, lustful, lewd, crude, improper<br />
Indecent – dirty, filthy, rude, coarse, naughty, vulgar, gross, off-color <br />
Sorcery – use of magic, witchcraft, enchantment, spells, incantations <br />
Idolatry – immoderate attachment or devotion to something, worship or a physical object as god.
Enmity – opposition, hostility, hate <br />
Strife – anger, bitter disagreement, conflict <br />
Jealousy – feeling or showing envy of someone’s achievements or advantages <br />
Anger (ill temper) – strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, rage, hostility <br />
Selfishness – inconsiderate of others <br />
Envy – discontent, resentful of someone else’s possessions, qualities or luck<br />
Divisions – discord, disunity, disagreement <br />
Drunkeness – affected by alcohol, losing control of one’s faculties or behavior <br />
Carousing – Drinking + partying <br />
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Love – deep affection, warmth, tenderness
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Joy – pleasure, happiness, delight <br />
Peace – quiet, calm, tranquility, order <br />
Patience – accepting or tolerating delay, trouble, suffering without anger or upset, even temper
Kindness – friendly, generous, considerate, caring, helpful <br />
Goodness – integrity, doing what is right, being thoughtful, gracious, well behaved <br />
Gentleness – kind, tender, sympathetic, understanding, merciful, considerate <br />
Faithfulness – showing true support and loyalty, trustworthy <br />
Self-control – control over your feelings and actions, restraint over your impulses, emotions, or desires</div>
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Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-63717904171561900272016-03-17T08:47:00.002-05:002016-03-17T08:47:11.422-05:00Psalm 37:3-8😊Trust<br />
😌delight<br />
🤗commit<br />
🙂be still<br />
😃wait<br />
😩don't fret<br />
😡don't be angry<br />
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Psalm 37:3-8Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-25531471889083901142015-09-10T09:26:00.000-05:002015-09-10T09:26:05.326-05:00Self-Control: Night Owl Problems<h2>
Galatians 5:22,23 - The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control (self-restraint, continence).</h2>
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Confession: I have major night owl problems! It affects my whole life. Night owling has benefits, like enjoying peace and quiet while the rest of my household is getting z's! I LOVE THIS TIME! I LOVE TO BE BY MYSELF after a long, busy day. But oh wow, how I dislike mornings after I was up too late the night before. I dislike them as much as I like staying up late, LOL! <br />
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It boils down to self-control if I'm totally honest, and in this area I don't have enough. The results can have a huge impact on me and my family. :( (Examples: temptation to just skip my quiet time with the Lord, starting the day behind, starting school late, being a cranky pants all day, feeling tired, etc). There's a balance to be had here. <br />
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So, this thought process led me to look at self-control this morning, and I'm really glad I did! I love to look at the meanings of words. The Amplified Bible does a good job of giving deeper meanings, but I like to also look at the dictionary definitions too. <br />
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This morning I studied what restraint means. Here's what I found:<br />
<br />Restrain - <br />
1. prevent from doing something, keep under control or within limits. (good idea to limit how long I stay up!!)<br />
2. prevent oneself from displaying or giving way to (a strong urge or emotion) - keeping in check. (Hulk-like Momtastic ranks, anyone??)<br />
3. deprive of freedom of movement or personal liberty (Yes, I'm free to stay up all night long if I want to, but giving into that personal liberty isn't wise for me!!)<br />
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My flesh tells me to soak in all the peace and quiet I can, do what I want to do, or do what needs to be done until it's done. But I can't let my flesh rule my life. I have to be full of the Spirit and live to please the Lord. It's hard to do that when you're totally tired, cranky, and fussy!!! (Hello, not a coffee drinker!!)<br />
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I'm sharing this to encourage others out there who may be struggling with finding balance and using self-control. There's a reason it's a fruit of the Spirit, we must depend on the Lord for help with this! Apart from Him we can do nothing! <br />
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I hope you're having a great week!<br />
DinaDina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-25649581552675744652015-08-31T08:20:00.001-05:002015-08-31T08:20:29.675-05:00Teaching Gentleness, Being Gentle<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week in our homeschool, we will be learning about gentleness. It's one of the fruit of the Spirit...one I struggle with, if I'm perfectly honest!! For all of the tender feelings I have toward my kiddos, I find that it is easy to use a harsh tone with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing up I thought my mother was a total nag. Oh, it drove me CRAZY!! And of course, I said, "when I'm a parent, I will NEVER nag my kids, NEVER". Well, as a parent, I have concluded that I was a totally disobedient child, and my mother's response to my disobedience was nagging (I love my mom dearly, and for the record, I regret being so disrespectful, inconsiderate, lazy, hard-headed, and disobedient.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I will start off our morning character talk about gentleness with a confession that mommy struggles to do what I'm telling them to do. I will remind them as I do every week, no matter which character trait we talk about, we can't do these things on our own. We all need to ask God to help us, develop us, and grow these fruit of the Spirit in our hearts! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our scripture of the week is Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was getting ready for bed last night, I was thinking the coming week and about my quiet time this morning and what I would look at. The Holy Spirit heavily reminded me of Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21. Basically, no matter if my kids obey or honor me, I am still told to do what these verses say. Here they are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 6:4 (AMP) - Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger (do not exasperate them to resentment), but rear them (tenderly) in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colossians 3:21 (AMP) - Fathers do not provoke and irritate, or fret your children (do not be hard on them or harass them), lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. (Do not break their spirit).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YIKES folks, I don't know about the other parents out there, but for me, these verses sting. They are basically telling me to get out of my flesh and not to parent out of my own irritation/frustration, but gently and tenderly training my kiddos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, it is my goal to do just that! I hope you have a terrific week!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dina</span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-42627031501642874162015-08-25T15:01:00.002-05:002015-08-25T15:01:55.553-05:00Encouraging Verses I've Been Studying<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi All! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long time, no post. Life has been so busy these past several years! As we start our second year of homeschooling though, I wanted to share some of the verses I've been studying lately. I've been so encouraged and challenged in my own spirit by them and thought I'd pass them along! </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I encourage you also, to go for a treasure hunt in God's word! Start a quiet time with Him to thank Him for giving you life, to tell Him what is going on in your mind and heart. He is such a faithful friend! :) I'm sharing from the Amplified Bible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philippians 4:13 - <span style="background-color: lime;">I have strength for all things</span> <span style="background-color: magenta;">in Christ Who </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">empowers me</span> <span style="background-color: lime;">[I am ready for anything and equal to anything </span><span style="background-color: magenta;">through Him Who</span> <sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-AMP-29454a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-AMP-29454a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+4%3A13&version=AMP#fen-AMP-29454a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup><span style="background-color: yellow;">infuses inner strength</span> i<span style="background-color: lime;">nto me; I am <sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-AMP-29454b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-AMP-29454b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+4%3A13&version=AMP#fen-AMP-29454b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>self-sufficient</span><span style="background-color: magenta;"> in Christ’s sufficiency].</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John 15:5 - <span style="background-color: magenta;">I am the Vine;</span> <span style="background-color: lime;">you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.</span> <span style="background-color: #660000; color: white;">However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proverbs 3:3 - <span style="background-color: red;">Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you</span>; <span style="background-color: cyan;">bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proverbs 3:7 - <span style="background-color: cyan;">Be not wise in your own eyes</span>; <span style="background-color: yellow;">reverently fear <i>and</i> worship </span><span style="background-color: magenta;">the Lord</span> <span style="background-color: cyan;">and turn [entirely] away from</span> <span style="background-color: #660000; color: white;">evil.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Galatians 5:16 - <span style="background-color: magenta;">But I say, walk <i>and</i> live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to <i>and</i> controlled <i>and</i> guided by the Spirit];</span> <span style="background-color: #660000; color: white;">then you will certainly not gratify the cravings <i>and</i> desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 4:32 - <span style="background-color: red;">And become useful <i>and</i> helpful <i>and</i> kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely],</span> <span style="background-color: magenta;">as God in Christ </span><span style="background-color: red;">forgave you</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ephesians 5: 2 -</span> And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] <span style="background-color: magenta;">as Christ</span> loved us and gave Himself up for us...</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been using the color chart from Women Living Well. Here's the link: </span><a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2014/12/studying-the-bible-using-the-soak-method-coloring-chart-and-meditation/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://womenlivingwell.org/2014/12/studying-the-bible-using-the-soak-method-coloring-chart-and-meditation/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you will be encouraged by this post! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great week! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dina</span><br />
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Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-66801814271711883392015-08-24T08:28:00.000-05:002015-08-31T08:31:42.002-05:00<a href="https://youtu.be/jcHow99m_HA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm the teacher, but God is teaching me</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jcHow99m_HA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jcHow99m_HA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a youtube video I made about what God is teaching me and how I'm encouraging myself to put it into practice. (Wow, that's a scary thumbnail! Sorry! LOL!)</span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-45651973706597444592013-10-22T11:32:00.002-05:002017-08-10T18:07:46.353-05:00Christianity for the visual learners out there!! :)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But I say, walk and live
(habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the
Spirit,); then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the
flesh (of human nature without God). Galatians 5:16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Put away, take off<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Put on, clothe yourself with<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Anger
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Patience<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Ill
temper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Even temper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Rage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Conduct
controlled by the Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Bad feelings
toward others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Kind feelings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Selfishness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Tenderhearted
pity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Vainglorious<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">A lowly
opinion of yourself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Foulmouthed
abuse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Encouragement
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Bitterness
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Readily
pardoning each other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Impurity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Purity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Lies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Deceit,
deception<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Honesty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Hate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Cold-hearted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Mercy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Immorality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Moral
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Yoke of
slavery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Freedom
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Slander
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Gentle
ways<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Curses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Blessings
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Shameful
utterances from your lips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Let the
word dwell in you richly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Indecency<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Decency
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 5.8pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 5.8pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Provoking
and irritating one another<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 5.8pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Be gentle
and forbearing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.55pt; mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 12.55pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Divisions,
party spirit (factions)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 12.55pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Unity
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Competitive
and challenging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Agreeable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Adultery
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Faithfulness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Enmity,
strife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Let peace
rule in your heart and mind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 28.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 28.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Do not
get drunk with wine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 28.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Be ever
filled and stimulated by the Holy Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 6.7pt; mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 6.7pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Idolatry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 6.7pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Worship
God only<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 5.3pt; mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 5.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sorcery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 5.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">The
Source<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Wrong
motives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Goodness, benevolence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Passions,
appetites, desires<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Self-control<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Jealousy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Thankfulness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Envy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Gladness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Haughtiness <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Meekness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Pride
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Humility
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sadness
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Darkness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Light
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 36; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Death<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What God offers us in life is 100% better than any counterfeit the world can give us! :) Have a blessed week!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">♥ Dina<br /><br />Download this free printable from my TpT site: <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Put-On-Take-Off-3326870" target="_blank">Put On, Take Off Printable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-63263935753437094192013-08-06T10:37:00.003-05:002013-08-06T10:37:44.674-05:00Confessions of a Distracted Christian<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow, it seems like every time I write I'm writing about what I struggle with as a person/Christian, whether it be thought life, forgiveness, etc. I guess I figure if I'm struggling, others probably are too. As I write I pray, it's me, me, ME oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer! If it encourages you, convicts you, or draws you to the Lord in any way, TERRIFIC! That is the only reason I share these posts with the world at large! ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, confessions...I am a distracted person, ALWAYS have been as long as I can remember! Yes, I CAN pay attention, but sometimes it takes great effort. Anyone who has ever sat with me at an inservice can testify to this! (I apologize! :)) Well, add motherhood and loads of laundry, housework, 3 meals to prepare daily, etc, ministry involvement, home business, yada yada, and you compound this problem greatly! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, I struggle with finding balance. As a mom, I have very little private time AT ALL! Honestly, I struggle with finding time for God. It's sad, but true. Sometimes it's easier to pick a distraction than to sit still for the time it takes to read His word and talk to Him. It is so much easier to entertain the flesh. There are things that my flesh enjoys that don't require that level of heart and effort (i.e. facebook, netflix), and if I'm not careful I realize I have not been nurturing the relationship that is of the most importance in my life. Not only is it important to me personally, but when I don't take that time, it shows in my level of patience with my children, with my attitude toward the hubs, and in my compassion toward others. This struggle for balance also involves FOOD! I have never been a snacker... not until I was pregnant with my first child. Yes, I enjoyed junk food and have a wretched sweet tooth, but I think I had it under control...to an extent. These days, I honestly think of the saying "You are not a dog, don't reward yourself with food"...A LOT! LOL!!! When there is a lull around here my brain says... "Oh...a moment of quiet...time for a snack". But it's not only snacking, but choosing things that are so not good for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the midst of this I hear the Lord saying "BE STILL and know that I am God"...Be still Lord? Do you know how much willpower and effort it takes to NOT DO ANYTHING? To just be quiet and still before you...without fixing a bowl of ice cream? These days it is tough! My brain is so tired, there's a mountain of chores waiting every time I'm not changing a diaper or fixing a meal. How can I be still? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently we did a study at church called "He speaks to Me". One thing the speaker said just really pinpointed this struggle. She said something like "God will not speak over your noise, but He waits for you to be still". WOW! She might as well have put my name in front of that statement because I really needed to hear that. The bottom line is, He doesn't need me, but I desperately need Him. He will not beg for my time and attention. He waits for me to come to Him. He is so patient! But at the same time, I hear Him calling me. To pray when it's not out of desperation, but just to talk to Him. It is ultimately my choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it's ultimately your choice too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...just some food for thought! Have a great week! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">♥ Dina</span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-32611323077129955552013-08-06T10:24:00.003-05:002013-08-06T10:24:38.418-05:00God won't chase you, but He will call you...<div>
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God won't chase you, but He will call you. <br /><br /> Heard that yesterday and it's so true. It's easier to turn from God than you might think. There are subtle choices, attitudes of the mind and heart that can be slippery slopes. If God feels far away, He's never the one who has moved. He calls us to return to Him and welcomes us with open arms! </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The God who made the world and everything in it<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27548J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> is the Lord of heaven and earth<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27548K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> and does not live in temples built by human hands.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27548L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> <span class="text Acts-17-25" id="en-NIV-27549"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27549M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Acts-17-26" id="en-NIV-27550"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27550N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Acts-17-27" id="en-NIV-27551"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><strong>God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27551O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup></strong></span> <span class="text Acts-17-28" id="en-NIV-27552">‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.' </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text Acts-17-28"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 17:24-28</span></span></span></div>
Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-17197764132050677042013-02-08T14:13:00.000-06:002013-02-08T14:13:16.788-06:00No time for regrets<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up with a heart and mind full this morning. There were a ton of things to do to get ready for a MOPS meeting I had to lead. Usually my heart and mind are full of good things and happy thoughts, but a sly trick of the devil is to bring to my mind past regrets, failures, low points, hurts, mistakes, etc. In a flash I saw people's faces the moment after I said something thoughtless or hurtful, opinions I shared that would have been better left unspoken, judgments I had made about others, things I had done that brought guilt and shame, things done to me that make me sad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then the line of a song sprang into my heart, "I have no time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us...". Thank you Holy Spirit! And after that I remembered friends, family, mentors, counselors who have helped me get past these times in my life that I'm not proud of. God is sooooo good! In a moment my heart went from full of shame and sorrow to full of the mercy, grace, and love of God offered new everyday and the knowledge that He doesn't see me broken or stained. He doesn't hold my words and actions against me. I don't have to drag these regrets through my day or through the rest of my life. But, I can use them as stepping stones. When they come to mind I will let them remind me of what not to do, what not to say, and that I'm not the person that I once was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyday in my walk with the Lord He is changing me. Little by little, day by day. I don't want to be the same. I still have <strong><em><u>PLENTY</u></em></strong> of quirks, rough edges, imperfections, uglies...but He's not done with me yet! How grateful and blessed I am to have such a loving and caring Father!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a parent I try to make everyday a new day. I don't want my kids to carry their mistakes of yesterday into today. Today is a clean slate. I want them to learn from yesterday's spankings and time outs, but I do not want to hold over them or against them. What a wonderful example God is to me in this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So today, if you are remembering past mistakes, failures, regrets...know that God is willing, able, and faithful to forgive us, if we are willing to ask Him. He loves us just as we are, but doesn't leave us that way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>If we [freely] admit that we have sinned <i>and</i> confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. 1 John 1:9 (AMP)</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One more thought, I can't help thinking of the people who may read this and think back to a time that they were on the receiving end of something hurtful that I did or said. I may remember or I may not even know I hurt you. Just like I know there are others who have hurt me and didn't even realize it (and still others who could care less). I just want to say I do care, and I'm very sorry. I hope you will forgive me as I too strive to choose forgive others. Know that I don't want to be that hurtful person! I hope you can see me for who God is molding me to be and not for who I have been! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wishing you peace and joy today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dina</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29434A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> but I press on to take hold<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29434B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29434C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> <span class="text Phil-3-13" id="en-NIV-29435">Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29435D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> and straining toward what is ahead,</span> <span class="text Phil-3-14" id="en-NIV-29436">I press on<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29436E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> toward the goal to win the prize<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29436F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> for which God has called<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29436G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)</span></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-29716286071458958892013-01-14T11:50:00.002-06:002013-01-14T11:50:34.074-06:00Walking with Jesus<span class="userContent">Walking along with Jesus<br /> But He is quiet on the way<br /> "Jesus, have you left me?"<br /> "No child, I'm with you always"<br /><br /> "Up ahead the path grows darker,<br /> Cliffs and valleys, dark as night<br /> But I'll hold you, lead and guide you,<br /> Hold my hand, you'll be alright!"<br /><br /> My bestie once told me God is like a navigator, he doesn't always speak until it is time to change directions. He is such a faithful friend and guide! When no one else is trustworthy, tried, and true, HE IS! :)<br /><br /> Have a great day!</span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-35148198915010508612012-06-18T23:22:00.000-05:002012-06-19T10:45:51.786-05:00Thoughts worth thinking...or notThoughts are such profound things in our lives, when you take a minute to think about it. I just had one of those moments. My life at this time is crazy busy. It seems like my mind is on overdrive, but I don't have time to process my thoughts much of the time. Not long ago I wrote a post called "Thought Life" because God has been working on me in this area. The funny thing is, as soon as I put into action the steps I described to combat the thoughts I was struggling with at that time (and had great success!), here came another one. This thought is really a question I've struggled with most of my life, attached to a huge ball of emotion, hurt, and blame. It's so funny that something so huge could slowly creep it's way back into my mind and start an "auto-repeat" cycle without me realizing it until literally just now. <br /><br />I was praying and pouring out my heart to God to help get rid of the huge burden there. In the process, He pointed out to me that this big question has become a real problem and the enemy is using it to stir the emotional pot in my life. Um, yeah, I have enough on my plate, thanks, but NO THANKS! And so, it just occured to me, <strong>some thoughts aren't worth thinking and some questions aren't worth asking</strong>. There are some situations in life that can't be fixed even if you had all the answers. So, this question is one I'm laying to rest tonight. I should have been casting it down for a long time now, but honestly didn't realize it before. The devil is just that sneaky. When his old tricks aren't working, he finds new ones.<br /><br />God is sooooo good and faithful! I'm thankful to be able to bring my burdens to Him and have Him so sweetly point out the problem. I'm willing to cast this question out, to forgive and let go of that huge, ugly, sad ball of emotion and let God pour in His love and healing again. <br /><br />I'm sending this message into cyberspace because I want to encourage you to take a minute and let God search you and know you. Your thoughts. Your emotions. Your questions. I'm sure it's possible that someone else might read this and realize they too have an annoying, legitimate question or maybe just some stinkin' thinkin' that needs to be cleaned out. I pray for the people who read this that God will touch your heart and mind in a special way and prompt you to give over any negative, dibilitating thoughts in exchange for his comfort, peace, and burden-lifting rest!<br /><br />Search me, God, and know my heart;<br />test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,<br />and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV -love this whole chapter)<br /><br /><br /><br />Wishing you peace and joy this week!<br />Dina<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7128426532101525831-3514819891501050861?l=perkfaith.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><br />How long must I wrestle with my thoughts<br />and day after day have sorrow in my heart?<br />How long will my enemy triumph over me? But I trust in your unfailing love;<br />my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise,<br />for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:2, 5, 6 NIV)Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-70761042801105251252012-05-22T10:53:00.001-05:002013-04-26T08:11:43.019-05:00Make time for God today!Make time to be with God today. Sit and be still and let him speak to your heart! :) He has wisdom, direction, peace, comfort, hope, joy...whatever you may need! <br />
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Revelation 3:19-20 <br />
Those whom I dearly and tenderly love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten I discipline and instruct them. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent changing your mind and attitude. <br />
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he will eat with Me. Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-4195238292023761812012-04-22T15:06:00.000-05:002012-04-22T15:06:48.979-05:00Thought Life<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to share something that I'm working on in my own life in hopes of encouraging you.
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the past several months I have struggled with some crazy thoughts! From depressing to just plain weird. Sometimes these thoughts affected the way I felt about myself or others, they had a way of setting the tone for my mood, and influenced my tone and topics during conversations. After being at home for months during the cold and flu season with newborn twins, I kept telling my husband I felt depressed, sad, etc. During one of my first Sundays back at church our pastor was preaching a sermon series called "Toxic" and his message was about our thought life. He reminded us not to just passively accept every thought that came through as truth. He reminded us that there is an enemy and other influences that affect our thoughts. I realized then that what I thought was depression was really me letting the enemy attack my mind and basically giving him permission to rule over my emotions because I wasn't guarding my mind. Now that I'm aware my thoughts and feelings have changed for the better.
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thoughts are powerful. As Christians the bible teaches us to be careful what we think about and to be on guard against wrong thinking in whatever form it takes (depressing, unkind, inappropriate, etc).
I've been praying about this issue and felt encouraged by the Lord to start memorizing scriptures in the areas that my struggles are in. I think of this now as kind of a "duh" moment! Of course! What did Jesus use when Satan tempted him? God's word! So basically He reminded me that I need to hide his word in my heart and recall the words that are already hidden there.</span><br />
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Again, thoughts are powerful. Sin doesn't just happen, it starts with a thought. When we entertain wrong thoughts they can influence our words, actions, attitudes, reactions, etc.
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some tips to help control your thoughts:
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Proactively guard your mind and recognize when your thoughts are negative, wrong, inappropriate, unkind... Don't just be passive when thoughts come up, if they aren't right DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.</span><br />
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(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and <strong><u>bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ</u></strong>; (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 KJV)</span><br />
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2) Give your thoughts the thought test based on Philippians 4:8-
Is it true? Honest? Just? Pure? Lovely? Of good report? Does it have any virtue or any praise?</span><br />
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If your thoughts don't meet this standard, trade them for new, better ones!
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Hide God's word in your heart and keep it fresh in your mind (memorize scriptures that will help you think good thoughts or ones that address areas you are struggling in)
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands.<strong><u>
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.</u></strong> (Psalm 119:9-11 NLT)
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) <strong>Be careful what you put in your mind</strong>. This is huge! We are bombarded all day every day with all kinds of media and various people in our lives. BE CAREFUL!!! Garbage in, garbage out. Be careful what you watch, read, listen to and the conversations you have with others.
...yes, I just said "be careful" 3 times, it's important!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart; a bad person brings bad out of his treasure of bad things. <strong><u>For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of</u></strong>. (Luke 6:45 GNTD)
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) Renew your mind by replacing the old kinds of thoughts with better ones.
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], <strong><u>but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude],</u></strong> so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Romans 12:2 AMP)
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) Remember your enemy is real and he is a liar. If the devil is feeding you lies, remind him of the truth!
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false. John 8:44
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) Pray, pray, pray!! When you surrender to God and ask Him to handle your problems, troubles, worries, etc, he will give you peace beyond understanding to guard your mind & heart!!
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. <strong><u>And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus</u></strong>. (Philippians 4:6, 7 AMP)
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great week!
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><3 Dina
</span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-54355934482632761402012-04-13T10:36:00.001-05:002012-04-13T10:36:53.846-05:00Being honestI've been thinking this morning about how honesty and trust go hand in hand. I'm so thankful that God is not a man that He should lie. He is our example of trustworthiness and truth. When you are faced with situations and must choose to tell the truth or a falsehood, tell the truth! God will be proud of you, your conscience will be clear before him, and people will discover honesty is one of your character traits! Being truthful is a way to let your light shine for Jesus in this dark world. <br /><br />Have a great week! <br />Dina<br /><br />Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. (Psalm 51:6 AMP)<br /><br />But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth)... (John 16:13 AMP)Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-16307133990163100202012-04-03T23:08:00.001-05:002012-04-03T23:08:47.457-05:00Let our children see...Loved this passage of scripture, what a great prayer! I want to see God working and i want my children to see His glory!!! :) <br /><br />Wishing you a great day! <br />Dina<br /><br />Teach us to realize the brevity of life,<br />so that we may grow in wisdom. O LORD, come back to us!<br />How long will you delay?<br />Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,<br />so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!<br />Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again;<br />let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval<br />and make our efforts successful.<br />Yes, make our efforts successful! (Psalm 90:12-17 NLT)Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-55858939317216598562011-02-21T15:34:00.003-06:002012-04-22T15:16:33.324-05:00Unexpected TrialsI'm just sitting here thinking about how we can make it through this life when hard times come. When people die unexpectedly and sometimes "too early". Everyday you hear of abuse and wrong that has happened to others. These things are hard to understand. We want to question and ask "Why God?, Why?". <br />
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God's plan is so much bigger than we can see or understand. Sometimes it doesn't make sense at all or it seems like He made a big mistake. But His ways are higher than our ways, He sees the whole span of our lives as we remember the past and live in the present. He knows what the future holds and is there to hold us no matter what happens...if we let Him! He never promised we would not go through hard times of varies kinds, but He did promise that He will never leave us or forsake us! He is a comforter, helper, healer, deliverer. He is an anchor and a rock to cling to when the storms of this life are raging. So many are tempted to turn away from God or be angry with Him during these times. But I am determined that I will run TO HIM during any and every trial or crisis. Not only in those times, but I want to stay close to Him so that when trials come I don't feel like He is too far away to reach. It's easier to bring your burdens to a friend than to a stranger. <br />
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My prayer for today: Lord, help me to trust You and praise You in the good and in the bad. I don't want to live one day of my life estranged from You, I don't have to and I choose not to! :)<br />
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Be encouraged, God is in control and never taken by surprise! :)<br />
DinaDina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-5501163272742011432011-01-31T13:38:00.011-06:002011-02-01T16:06:31.372-06:00Dealing with temptationHello! I sat down today to write in my journal and a note I had written several months ago fell out. After reading it I thought it would be good to share because we all struggle with some thing that trips us up from time to time. Even the most committed Christian has some area of weakness, even if it is something as simple as being prideful about not having an area that trips them up! :) Here goes:<br /><br />How to deal with temptation.<br /><br />1. Keep a fresh relationship with the Lord everyday through prayer and Bible study.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">James 4:8 - Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].<br /><br /></span><br />2. Learn to recognize impure thoughts or thoughts that could lead to sin and change your thinking. (*impure as in anything that doesn't please God, could be lust, gossip/hearsay, bitterness, anger, revenge, jealousy, spite, painting someone in a negative light, disrespect toward authority/parents)<br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Ephesians 4:22-24 - Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.<br /><br /></span><br />3. Learn to recognize temptations and refuse to give in.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Matthew 26:41 - All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.<br /><br /></span><br />4. Share your temptations with someone before they result in sin.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">James 5:16 - Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].<br /></span><br /><br />5. Recognize giving in to temptation as sin. Call sin what it is, SIN. Not a "little white lie", not an "indiscretion", a "mistake", a "bad habit", "doing things my way"...if it is sin, then it is sin.<br /><br />6. Think of the consequences of giving into temptation before you act. To name a few:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>sinning against God </li><li>sinning against yourself</li><li>sinning against your spouse</li><li>sinning against your family</li><li>violating trust</li><li>opening the door to more sin</li><li>giving the devil a foothold</li><li>compromising your standards</li><li>losing respect of your family</li><li>hurting yourself </li><li>hurting others</li></ul><p>7. Look for a way of escape from temptation. </p><p></p><p><br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">1 Corinthians 10:13 - For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.<br /></span><br /><br />8. Confess your sins quickly instead of lying, covering them up, sugar coating them, playing them down. (*being honest before God and with others helps you have a fresh relationship with God, sin just puts a wall between you and God. We can deceive others and even ourselves, but God always knows the truth) </p><p><br /></p><p>9. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you about what areas still need work! </p><p><br /></p><p>So why share this? Because I'm so good and so full of good advice, <strong>NOT AT ALL</strong>! The real reason is because reading this today reminded me that I need to take my own advice. It made me look at myself and my own struggle with sin and made me realize I need to do better. Because I recognize the Holy Spirit putting His spotlight on areas in me that need to be cleaned out right now. Because I feel that icky feeling and weight of sin that so easy trips me up and because it's time for me to pray and read my bible and I realized I need to get some things off my chest before I can get anything out of either prayer or bible study anyway!! :) The other reason is I figured it might encourage someone else to be honest with himself/herself and God, it might help someone to strive against sin and result in a closer walk with God...that would be awesome! :)</p><p>Well, I hope y'all have a terrific day! :) More later!<br />Dina</p><p></p>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-47190595204374740642010-08-08T15:37:00.004-05:002010-08-08T16:07:50.657-05:00Worshipping Idols...who ME?Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be). <br />1 John 5:21<br /><br />This scripture really spoke to my heart the other day. I was thinking about idolatry and doing a little study about it in the Bible. God couldn't stand idol worship. Jesus said the first commandment was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) I have to admit, as simple as this sounds, I don't find it very easy. It seems like there is so much to occupy my heart and mind these days. To name a few: family, friends, entertainment, technology, dreams, goals, plans, etc. After reading this scripture I've started praying that God would show me if there are idols in my life. Honestly, I've come up with a big one, ME. Not an easy one to elimate either, right? In thinking about what occupies the place in my heart that is due to God, what am I substituting for Him, what am I putting first? Me. Wow, it's true. I serve myself much of the time. I have my own schedule, I do as I please. I do what I want, when I want. I'm spoiled by the conveniences of this modern age. I'm engrossed in my own obligations and daily chores and routines. I'm guilty of putting me first and giving God the leftovers.<br /><br />Well, I don't want to be guilty of this anymore. I want God to have my best because that's what He wants. I'm trying to start off each day with a fresh time of surrender to Him and a simple prayer from my heart that God will have His will and His way in me. Lead me Lord and I will follow, show me Your way that I may walk with You! :) Your will be done! Change my plans if they are not what You want for me! Thank you!<br /><br /><br />More about idolatry:<br />idolatry - 1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.<br />2. any person or thing regarded with excessive or blind adoration, reverence, or devotion, etc.<br />3. a figment of the mind: fantasy.<br />4. a false conception or notion.<br />5. any being other thant he one God to which divine honor is paid.<br />6. a person who is revered, admired, or highly loved.<br />7. hero worship<br />8. false worship<br />synonyms: obsession, madness, mania.<br /><br />The sin of idolatry is one of Satan's most effective tools in turning people away from God. People desire to place fellow people, as well as valuable material things on a pedestal as objects of worship.<br /><br />Exodus 20:3-6 - You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. You shall not make yourselves any graven image (to worship) or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the inquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. <br /><br />Deuteronomy 11:16 - take heed to yourselves, lest your (minds &) hearts be deceived and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.<br /><br />Exodus 23:33 - They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.<br /><br />Snare - 1. a device, often consisting of a noose, for capturing small game<br />2. anything serving to entrap or entangle unawares; trap<br />3. to catch or involve by trickery or wile; capture by trickeryDina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-38773312726788767452010-08-08T15:29:00.002-05:002010-08-08T15:36:02.360-05:00Why Wait?Sin<br />Separates from God<br />Alienates from others<br />Incriminates the guilty<br />Imitates joy<br />Impersonates love<br />Agitates your mind<br />Constipates your dreams<br />Stagnates your future<br />Abbreviates your life<br />Devastates your eternity<br /><br />God<br />Demonstrates His love<br />Advocates for the broken<br />Illuminates darkness<br />Penetrates problems<br />Alleviates pain<br />Celebrates surrender<br />Activates the spirit<br />Saturates the soul<br />Recreates the heart<br />Fascinates the forgiven<br /><br />So…<br />Contemplate<br />God will not discriminate<br />Don’t hesitate<br />Don’t procrastinate<br />You can participate!!!<br /><br />Why wait?<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23<br /><br />Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17<br /><br />So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. John 8:36 </span><br /><p><span style="color:#000000;">I hope this will speak to you and touch your heart today! :) God bless! </span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">-Dina</span></p>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-32515613544410984512010-06-16T23:55:00.004-05:002010-06-16T23:59:38.529-05:00Water BaptismWe have been learning about water baptism in my girl's class at church. Last week we learned why we have baptism in the church (because Jesus commanded us to be baptized). Our memory verse is <span style="color:#cc0000;">Matthew 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.</span><br /><br />This week we learned about the purposed of water baptism. 1. It's an illustration of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, 2. It's an illustration to others of what happens to a person when they ask Jesus to come into their life and forgive their sin. Their old, sinful self is dead and buried, and they are made new and clean. That's why they call it being born again! :) 3. It's an act of obedience to God.<br /><br />We read some verses from Romans 6 tonight and I thought I'd share them. :) I'm so thankful for the changing power of God! I thank Him for the work of salvation. I'm thankful for the day that I laid down a life of sin and became a new creation in Him!! If you have a minute, read this passage. I hope you will be excited and encouraged by it like I was!<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Romans 6 (NIV version)<br />Sin’s Power Is Broken<br />1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.<br /><br />5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.<br /><br />12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.<br /><br />15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.<br /><br />19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.<br /><br />20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.<br /></span><br /><br />I hope you are living a life of freedom through Jesus, but if you're not and you want to. Click the "Are you ready for heaven" link at the right.<br /><br />I wish you freedom, joy and peace in Him! Be blessed!<br />-Dina<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Romans 6 (Amplified version - I just love this version, it's wordy, but I love how it makes it so clear)<br /><br />1WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow?<br /><br />2Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?<br /><br />3Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?<br /><br />4We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life.<br /><br />5For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].<br /><br />6We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.<br /><br />7For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men].<br /><br />8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,<br /><br />9Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.<br /><br />10For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].<br /><br />11Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.<br /><br />12Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.<br /><br />13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.<br /><br />14For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].<br /><br />15What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God's favor and mercy? Certainly not!<br /><br />16Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?<br /><br />17But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.<br /><br />18And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).<br /><br />19I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and faculties] as servants to impurity and ever increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [and faculties] once for all as servants to righteousness (right being and doing) [which leads] to sanctification.<br /><br />20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.<br /><br />21But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death.<br /><br />22But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life.<br /><br />23For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.</span>Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-89326709914230907222010-05-24T16:49:00.003-05:002010-05-24T16:56:50.806-05:00Another day, another prayer!God, lead me to where you want to be. You know all of my needs and wants, but more than that, You know what You want for my life. You know what is best! I surrender completely to what You want for me and my family. I only ask that if you want us to move that you will make the way plain before us and make it very clear exactly where You want us to go! We are totally dependent on You! We cling to You and we are confident in You! The world is uncertain, but You are not. Thank you for being our rock and our anchor! You are calm during a raging storm, You are peace when my heart and mind are worn. You have settled my past, I give you my today, and I thank you that You hold my tomorrow! I trust You for EVERYTHING!Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128426532101525831.post-2076414737624476342010-05-19T13:46:00.001-05:002010-05-19T13:47:46.817-05:00My Prayer for Today!God give me boldness to speak the truth in love & be a light in this dark world! Forgive me for my shortcomings & for the times I choose to go my own way. I admit I am stubborn & hard-headed, but I pray that you will help me to be stubborn about following You & hard-headed against sin. Help nothing I do or say be a stumbling block to others. Help me to know when to speak & when to keep my trap closed! AMEN!Dina and Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020778080893993668noreply@blogger.com0