tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11314553146168176152024-03-05T05:42:07.242-05:00Watch the ShepherdLooking to the Good Shepherd Jesus for the example of how to care for others... Keeping a discerning eye on those who claim to be shepherds of God's people... Learning to recognize, heal from, and speak out against abuse -- spiritual, emotional, verbal, and physical -- in churches, organizations, families, and society.Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-82710490215923112942022-05-26T14:11:00.005-04:002022-05-26T14:27:40.464-04:00A Blog Update and an Ordination Lectionary<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dear friends,</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It's been about three years since I last posted on this Watch the Shepherd blog, although I have posted on some of my other blogs! If you follow me on Facebook or in person, you know a lot has happened since summer 2019! (The big thing is that I graduated from Asbury Seminary with my MA in Ministry.) You can read last year's update here: <a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2021/07/virginias-life-summer-2021-update.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Virginia's Summer 2021 Update</span></b></a>. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAs2xMJB0Brh9TXdC-x8Qn0yi-DbGIDUkKyuLl0dQYdAPu7nCyH722TpZfq94r4aa_jN2oKUeY5uUglgXZlbRLD9HOFGtEMxs51h5EwBX3OwYswYMFt-bqFj3g8SXFdivIMlVs7v9cAMQim6l06FCpD34Y0-rFC7SOha6zGn7wC5ehgmTAe26DcJx/s2480/During%20ordination%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="2480" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAs2xMJB0Brh9TXdC-x8Qn0yi-DbGIDUkKyuLl0dQYdAPu7nCyH722TpZfq94r4aa_jN2oKUeY5uUglgXZlbRLD9HOFGtEMxs51h5EwBX3OwYswYMFt-bqFj3g8SXFdivIMlVs7v9cAMQim6l06FCpD34Y0-rFC7SOha6zGn7wC5ehgmTAe26DcJx/w465-h317/During%20ordination%20(2).jpg" width="465" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My dear friend and mentor Patricia, who was instrumental in me even going to seminary, was ordained as an Episcopal priest this past Sunday at the big Cathedral of St. Luke in downtown Orlando. I'll write more about that later since I sense a poem coming, but for now, I will just say that I had the honor of being one of her lectionary readers during the ordination service. It was an amazing experience that I will always treasure. I have linked the video below so that it starts with my reading. I am sure you will sense my exuberance, especially at the end!
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYAYf8VnFaU?start=1890" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">What makes me think of this blog, though, is the text of that reading, 1 Peter 5:1-11. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a perfect passage that she selected for me to read. It is at the heart of what I try to communicate, even after a long absence, on this blog.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fdbb7029-7fff-5c27-3f52-08d7c28cf0af"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Word of the Lord. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Thanks be to God!)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You may also wish to read this poem I wrote two months ago about Patricia's Advent sermon at the cathedral: <a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2022/03/echo-of-sacred-story.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Echo of the Sacred Story</b></span></a>. I find it amusing that the word <i>echo</i> is in the title since when I did my soundcheck on Sunday, they reminded me to speak slowly and clearly since there is an echo in such a large sanctuary. They also advised me to project my voice, aiming for the choir loft way far in front of me. I appreciated the encouragement to lift my voice. It seemed symbolic for me as a woman. (For my thoughts on that topic, see </span><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"><b>The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</b></span></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.)</span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-Tw8hR7PZSCo5OXmhmhLlFawDvTOEZiRQo8rBYlxIkBtHd2zQqtjjRsuIGd1sfhkna3zGTv_KdxWyqKeR9qAdERKlrKKOETFOu8OTTnn7APAOfdDbrdGgtWSXTknYSYTisZK5ExmEw2J4sZjbJY_S8ZZOobCuQ6iMGNQR-01rNcSoxhZbLLnVViV/s4032/Virginia%20and%20Patricia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-Tw8hR7PZSCo5OXmhmhLlFawDvTOEZiRQo8rBYlxIkBtHd2zQqtjjRsuIGd1sfhkna3zGTv_KdxWyqKeR9qAdERKlrKKOETFOu8OTTnn7APAOfdDbrdGgtWSXTknYSYTisZK5ExmEw2J4sZjbJY_S8ZZOobCuQ6iMGNQR-01rNcSoxhZbLLnVViV/w333-h444/Virginia%20and%20Patricia.jpg" width="333" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-51842071536613282142019-10-18T17:44:00.003-04:002022-05-26T15:13:15.858-04:00Lectio Divina (Seminary Notes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG2VmoZ4h6ub2OmZp5fXCm9AoK4gFWiKUqP3fbPqun8E-sSxpHBVNsx1eF_YcjhU0ivgWk-7O5rjkVcr8hNemxfmIkFCr4owtFhjeMocXe1WMlUTUOAJGvG25xYIjthGVSiqMhnUHJWw/s1600/Seek+the+Lord+with+Bible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="640" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG2VmoZ4h6ub2OmZp5fXCm9AoK4gFWiKUqP3fbPqun8E-sSxpHBVNsx1eF_YcjhU0ivgWk-7O5rjkVcr8hNemxfmIkFCr4owtFhjeMocXe1WMlUTUOAJGvG25xYIjthGVSiqMhnUHJWw/w427-h319/Seek+the+Lord+with+Bible.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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Friends,<br />
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I love seminary. I always say it gave me my life back. Two years ago, I ran into my old friend Patricia on a fluke visit to a church where she happened to be helping lead the liturgy that morning. She invited me to a Lectio Divina series she was about to start there, and I soaked it in. At one of the classes, she shared with me about the much more in-depth Inductive Bible Study method developed at Asbury Theological Seminary, where she was an MDiv student. I started drooling. The next thing I knew I was in the Orlando campus admissions office, fulfilling a lifelong dream. True story. </span></div>
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I'm well into my second year of seminary now. Three of my classes have at least touched on Lectio Divina, either in classroom discussion or in the assigned books <b><i>Sacred Rhythms </i></b>by Ruth Haley Barton and <b><i>Eat This Book </i></b>by Eugene Peterson. I'd like to share with you two of my assignments for Biblical Narrative, an Old Testament / New Testament survey course I'm taking online now with Dr. Ruth Ann Reese. Keep in mind that these are in the format of a short seminary report, not in the format of how I would do a Lectio Divina session for my own devotional purposes! I have also participated in Lectio Divina in at least three different small groups. I have links and a photo at the bottom of this post which refer to my other Lectio Divina experiences, as well as a few other links to helpful articles. Keep reading!</span></div>
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Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) is not a formal systematic Bible study, even though the whole time is spent contemplating and praying through a passage of Scripture. It is an ancient devotional model first introduced by St. Gregory of Nyssa (c 330- 395) and established as a monastic practice by St. Benedict in the 6th century. It has several facets, which vary depending on what model you are using. These are the core ones, with some of the extras combined with the traditional four:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Lectio:</b> prayerfully prepare your soul in silence (this first part is sometimes a separate step called <b>Silencio)</b>, then read the passage slowly, savoring it - traditionally you are to choose one word or phrase which especially speaks to you. I don't tend to do this in private use, and if I do, it might be a whole cluster. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Meditatio:</b> read it again, reflecting or meditating on the meaning, and what God is trying to communicate to you through this reading today</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Oratio:</b> read it a third time, and respond to God in prayer, pouring out your heart to him about how this passage resonates in your soul</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Contemplatio/Incarnatio: </b>rest your mind and then, guided by the Holy Spirit, choose specific actions for application in the next few days so that you can "live the text in Jesus' name" </span></li>
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Last month, I chose John 13:1-5, and this month I picked Isaiah 55:6-12. Here we go!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lectio Divina #1: John 13:1-5</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Introduction & Setting:</b> I did the Lectio exercise in my quiet study area in my bedroom in the afternoon. To set this in the context of my day, I had been outside gardening in the morning in my bare feet, getting quite dirty. This has something to do with my Lectio experience. <br />
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<b>Lectio:</b> I chose to study John 13:1-5, first reading aloud from my very old 1984 NIV Bible which is most comfortable for devotional purposes. This passage, which is about Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, had stood out to me in this last week’s Gospel of John reading assignments. At that earlier time, reading in the library, I was thinking of it in sensory terms, such as the warm water, the texture of the towel, the tender touch of Jesus. I tried to recapture that during my re-reading of the verses, and this was more relevant after getting my feet dirty while gardening. The sensory experience of washing up added to my understanding during Lectio. However, a different word from verses 1 and 3 stands out to me in this reading of the passage: <b><i>knew</i></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<b>Meditatio:</b> I read the passage again from my old Bible, as well as the most recent NIV and NRSV. In each of these readings, why did the word <b><i>knew </i></b>stand out to me? Jesus <i>knew</i> who he was, where had come from and where he was returning, what God’s plan was for that time, and what his essential work would be in the hours and days to come. Thus secure in his identity and his destiny, he could do the things he did, loving his disciples with humility and service. This is startling considering that this passage also includes his knowledge of the impending betrayal by Judas, leading to his death the next day. All of this touches a place in me. I know how much my own life proceeds from my sense of identity and destiny. It has to be firmly rooted in truth: I am made in the image of God, Jesus has redeemed and forgiven me, the Holy Spirit empowers me, God is working in my life for my good and his glory, and I have eternity in heaven as my destiny. My identity must not depend on my marital status, health, bank account, natural abilities, or any other things that come and go. It must not depend on how others have betrayed, rejected, or wounded me. All of these things can become shame traps for me as a divorced mother of 10. However, with my identity rooted in Christ, I can walk forward with joy and confidence into whatever ministry God has prepared for me. It is crucial that I remember who I am and whose I am. I have to<i> know</i> as Jesus did. <br />
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<b>Oratio: </b>My prayer, flowing directly from this passage and Meditatio, is that I will increasingly find my identity and destiny in Jesus, that I would be confident enough to live and serve with humility as he did. It is only because I know my identity as a daughter of the King that I can, as in Hebrews 4:16, “approach the throne of grace with confidence.” It is because of the identity that I can pray in the first place, and then praying, in turn, reinforces the identity. This is a good cycle to enter, with prayer and identity strengthening each other. So I pray, “Show me who you are. Show me who I am. Show me how to love. Show me what to do.” <br />
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<b>Contemplatio:</b> As Jesus set this example of humble service, so I must find ways to serve others that are not necessarily grand and lofty, but simple and earthy. I have an extremely busy week coming up with hybrid classes and homework assignments. I would like to hide away and study, but there are things I need to do for others, like buy groceries for my kids, help my daughter with her broken down car, bring a widowed neighbor to a church dinner, rehearse for a skit on the Reformation, go to work so I can pay our bills, and work out a misunderstanding with a friend. Those are things I personally need to do. At the same time, I need to be humble enough to realize I cannot do everything for everyone. Ego says I can, but I actually cannot. Jesus didn’t do everything. Later in John 13, he told his disciples he was leaving them behind to carry on his work, even “greater works.” I realize I have to ask for help. My identity isn’t based on how much I can pull off. Peter at first refused to receive a washing from Jesus, but he had to accept it. I can let others be the hands and feet of Jesus to me. <br />
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<b>Conclusion:</b> Through my Lectio experience, I experienced Jesus helping me to do the things I needed to get done that I could not do without him. In the middle of Lectio, I was interrupted by the opportunity to serve one of my teens with an urgent errand. Then another teen was yelling at me on the way home. Working from my core identity, I could stay calm, speak quietly, connect with needs, and defuse the anger. I thought of the Lectio passage in the context of the Last Supper as I brought my neighbor to my church dinner group even though I could have stayed home to do other things. I was quite tired, but thanks to the Lectio exercise, I had the extra energy and motivation to go forth in love. My neighbor and I were both very blessed by the Christian fellowship. That is what Lectio does; it brings us into divine presence and compassionate service in a fresh way.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lectio Divina #2: Isaiah 55:6-12</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” NIV</i><br />
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<b>Introduction & Setting:</b> I did the Lectio exercise in my quiet study area in my bedroom in the morning. I had already selected and read the passage, but this was my first focused time for the full Lectio process of these verses. I should also say I chose this section from the assigned class readings because it made me sing. In post-Jesus-movement churches about 35-40 years ago, we often sang Bible verses nearly verbatim, and a few of them are right here. I can’t read them without singing them. <br />
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<b>Lectio:</b> I chose to study Isaiah 55:6-12, first reading aloud from the NIV Bible. I also read the NRSV, and noted the textual differences. One that I noticed immediately from my many years of singing verse 12 is that the NIV says “led <i>forth</i> in peace” whereas the NRSV says “led <i>back</i> in peace.” In the context of their impending return from exile, “back” makes more sense than “forth” if it is referring to Jerusalem. But I still prefer “forth” - as I see it is as encouragement to move forward in life, even if that is going back to what came before. I also note the difference in trees in verse 13. In the NRSV, it is cypress (one of my favorite trees to photograph here in Florida), but in the NIV it is translated juniper. This for me is not about technical study. It is about the pictures in my mind which fascinate me, and part of that is how they relate to my own context. Isaiah 55 is so full of poetic imagery. Beyond the pictures, there are the sounds. If you read the words aloud, there is a cadence of rhythm. This is not just in the English translation, but in the content and structure of the Hebrew literary forms. It is a call and response, like a psalm and a proverb, with one phrase echoing or contrasting the other. I can’t help but think of these things as I read. These speak to me. I also pasted the passage into my document from Bible Gateway and then experimented with the font; this is a novelty of the digital age, of course. I am a calligrapher, so I wonder how changing the visual style of writing affects how we process words internally, especially with Scripture? Did I gain a new perspective? How does God write, anyway? I think he has a way of invading our thoughts, right where we are, no matter what culture, gender, personality style, or in my case, aesthetic sensibilities. See the difference here?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Meditatio:</b> What word stands out to me? It is <i><b>thoughts</b></i>! It is our thoughts which shape us. God knows this because he made us as reasoning beings. That is why he tells the evil man to forsake his wicked <i>thoughts</i>, why we are encouraged to lift our minds to God’s higher <i>thoughts</i>, why he sends forth his word to change our <i>thoughts</i> toward everlasting fruitfulness in our lives. When his Word achieves this purpose, our minds and hearts are renewed so we can truly “go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” Joy and peace find root in our attitudes. They are both a cognitive and emotive assent to what is good, which in this case is thinking the <i>thoughts</i> of God. The word <i>thoughts</i> resonates with me personally because I realize this is where it all starts. This is why I am in seminary, to shape my <i>thoughts</i>. I know how quickly <i>thoughts</i> can lead me off the path, and how powerfully they can lead me forth again when I return to God’s higher ways. I look at the verses about the thorn bushes and briers and realize that this could be symbolic of our <i>thoughts</i> too. We may have gnarly tangles in our minds that need to be cleared away so that the beautiful trees may take root and grow instead.<br />
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<b>Oratio:</b> My prayer is that I will continually seek God through the Scriptures and prayer, and that I will be able to flourish while thinking the thoughts of God. I pray that I will be a faithful messenger of the Word, for it is usually through his human servants that he sends it forth in any nation or generation. I pray that I will walk in joy and peace, filled with songs of deliverance. <br />
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<b>Contemplatio: </b>I will explore what unhealthy thoughts are holding me back from doing the things I am called to do, and seek them to replace them with divine wisdom instead. (I have a few podcasts queued up to listen to that may help.) I will create a blog post with this Lectio and the previous one, then share them on my social media, so that the Word may accomplish God’s purposes in my sphere of influence. I will write out two of the verses in calligraphy to include in that. I will listen to worship music (like the song “Sovereign Over Us”) to help me focus my thoughts on God. I will finish up my seminary assignments for my other class (Gospel Catechesis) which will help me better participate in delivery God’s word to others. I will continue to explore how media shapes the message.<br />
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<b>Conclusion: </b>Through my Lectio Divina experience today, I experienced an ancient God who is ever present thousands of years after these words were penned. We may have the Cloud to store our data, but his thoughts are still higher than that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;">So those were my two Lectio Divina reports! They are much less complicated than the full research papers we also have to do. Better yet, they feed the soul, too. That's what I love about Asbury professors and leaders. They are determined to foster spiritual formation and growth in their students. And I love their t-shirts.</span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">But I'm not done yet! Links to good stuff!</span></div>
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I'm planning to listen to <a href="http://thepresenceproject.libsyn.com/website" style="font-weight: bold;">The Presence Project Podcast</a> by Summer Joy Gross. I am linking it here for your exploration but have to say I haven't listened to more than a few minutes, I don't know anything about the person who produces it except what's written <a href="http://www.athirstforgod.com/about-summer/"><b>here</b></a>, and I can't even quite remember where I found it. I do know it comes from the more contemplative stream of Christianity that is likely to resonate with those who enjoy Lectio Divina.<br />
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More on Lectio Divina and Inductive Bible Study? Sure thing! Here are some from my blogs.<br />
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<li><b><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/07/open-door.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Open a Door</span></a></b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html" style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;">Focus (One Word)</a><b style="color: #0b5394;"> </b>Lectio Divina is at the end</span></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/01/inductive-bible-study-on-discipleship.html">Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/06/inductive-bible-study-of-james-31-12.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Inductive Bible Study on James 3:1-12</span></a></b></li>
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Here are some of my Lectio Divina notes from Patricia's series. When doing this by myself, I prefer my reading journal.<br />
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Here are some other helpful links:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/253799/1-What-is-Lectio-Divina.pdf">What is Lectio Divina?</a> </span></b>a PDF from Anglican Communion with suggestions for groups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://renovare.org/articles/the-jogging-monk-and-the-exegesis-of-the-heart"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Jogging Monk and the Exegesis of the Heart</span></a> </b>by James Bryan Smith</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://transformingcenter.org/2019/07/lectio-divina-engaging-the-scriptures-for-spiritual-transformation-2"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Lectio Divina: Engaging the Scriptures for Spiritual Transformation</span></b></a> by Ruth Haley Barton, author of Sacred Rhythms</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://media1.razorplanet.com/share/511382-6723/siteDocs/The%20Practice%20of%20Spiritually%20Reading%20the%20Bible%20by%20Eugene%20Peterson-1.pdf"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Practice of Spiritually Reading the Bible</span></b></a> by Eugene Peterson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://xn--visio%20divina%20%20the%20practice%20and%20resources-qz36a/"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Visio Divina</span></b></a> by Jean Wise about praying with art</span></li>
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<div><span style="font-size: x-large;">And finally, because I just can't resist...<br />
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I was looking through my old blog posts to find some of my pictures of cypress trees.<br />
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Instead of the thorn bush, the cypress will grow...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">May God bless you </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">today and always</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">through the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">prayerful contemplation </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">of his Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-73617210305779249992019-07-27T11:24:00.000-04:002019-07-27T16:32:22.148-04:00Give Me Ears to Hear, Eyes to See, a Heart to Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Give me ears to hear, eyes to see..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That's what I was thinking on the board walk at Blue Springs State Park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have only a half an hour, not nearly enough time for the extended exploring that I crave. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I had been visiting with friends in Deltona, 45 minutes from my house, all afternoon. I would be meeting my daughter and her fiance a little later closer to home. Since I was still in Deltona, I wanted to squeeze in a little natural beauty when I could. It's kind of my thing: making the most of where I am when I'm there, not knowing when I'll be that way again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I park my van and try to find a trail. Right next to the parking lot, I hear rustling. I turn to see an armadillo snuffling in the dirt for food. He (or she?) lets me quietly approach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After a few minutes of wandering, I find a boardwalk overlooking the river. Motion catches my eye. Can you see the squirrel peering around the tree? So elusive, I can only snap a dozen photos and hope one would find its focus.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKXzbRPWK8lxIY5FeV4Z0OTOiVVv4mf6QypqRtYf_MtVoSYM_iHhy-P6UktHsPOFkETSFA7BAbJIXbsQgOujvPq7mg4eE_O5I8WRkTscHr0vcTvYF5TVB53ZQ9KTUOBO1_ZM4IaNrIMs/s1600/squirrel+on+tree+from+a+distance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKXzbRPWK8lxIY5FeV4Z0OTOiVVv4mf6QypqRtYf_MtVoSYM_iHhy-P6UktHsPOFkETSFA7BAbJIXbsQgOujvPq7mg4eE_O5I8WRkTscHr0vcTvYF5TVB53ZQ9KTUOBO1_ZM4IaNrIMs/s400/squirrel+on+tree+from+a+distance.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now can you see?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNrZp9FyOaWVGnKR2eGWoDePinH-WReFakWmKOjQem0oMOKL90I3qou9eqC-YosOJ7zw5UqG1Q9KBM111-7VMsy6IcETvoF_oyWF0fJruJntvgD0vdcpemnvDRQJRmcJ6MxplZii27cQ/s1600/squirrel+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="452" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNrZp9FyOaWVGnKR2eGWoDePinH-WReFakWmKOjQem0oMOKL90I3qou9eqC-YosOJ7zw5UqG1Q9KBM111-7VMsy6IcETvoF_oyWF0fJruJntvgD0vdcpemnvDRQJRmcJ6MxplZii27cQ/s400/squirrel+up+close.jpg" width="378" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While trying to capture the squirrel with my lens, another swooshing sound piques my attention. The camouflaged owl perches on the branch, swiveling head to and fro, capturing the surroundings, yet seemingly oblivious to the potential dinner of squirrel. Must not be hungry?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIFG8osGz1Fn5lk5MVoVyY86KIScMlsYDvRn7Vc37qGodKaluoQjqHAyuucakOf9P7D1Oct7y0Q1E8r1nzESCNZICmG0pKDSOCbU7CPXXhdxvnigRCgVteu0Q62Argqp9mcxhdpA-K7I/s1600/owl+at+Blue+Springs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="737" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIFG8osGz1Fn5lk5MVoVyY86KIScMlsYDvRn7Vc37qGodKaluoQjqHAyuucakOf9P7D1Oct7y0Q1E8r1nzESCNZICmG0pKDSOCbU7CPXXhdxvnigRCgVteu0Q62Argqp9mcxhdpA-K7I/s640/owl+at+Blue+Springs.jpg" width="490" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Further down the boardwalk, a rotted and maybe burned out tree juts up.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGgHoVA4MgX0g1lZzGOGc1vqF_w3zLaWFq3b7ahYMsvkYXJ1yTuuUWPJZx-HsohcUvRD2Fc_QeSUNiTNEPAZ62W5HFlt7pAbB5D2aRHVoWr-hMiy_P39e5rkjzbBC5Pc1j5LXD3tOZbQ/s1600/rotted+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="766" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGgHoVA4MgX0g1lZzGOGc1vqF_w3zLaWFq3b7ahYMsvkYXJ1yTuuUWPJZx-HsohcUvRD2Fc_QeSUNiTNEPAZ62W5HFlt7pAbB5D2aRHVoWr-hMiy_P39e5rkjzbBC5Pc1j5LXD3tOZbQ/s400/rotted+tree.jpg" width="318" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What entire little worlds of insects and other tiny animals dwell and thrive in what seems to be debris to me?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GpOkPWhYH3y0RlWerR0EDGJ5u2ebvFdHpweWCsLUQnh10TdrPeIVArwNk-ijlpyAtYW7xNhPLZpj7ioCx5iM2ygw-epwFup1Kp14D8NU6gny-Y78y-zz662MkMqL_Hd6NWdxNuyjtS0/s1600/rotted+tree+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GpOkPWhYH3y0RlWerR0EDGJ5u2ebvFdHpweWCsLUQnh10TdrPeIVArwNk-ijlpyAtYW7xNhPLZpj7ioCx5iM2ygw-epwFup1Kp14D8NU6gny-Y78y-zz662MkMqL_Hd6NWdxNuyjtS0/s400/rotted+tree+up+close.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I peer down into the water. I see a long gray fish, but it barely appears on my camera. I snap the photo anyway. So much we don't clearly see beneath the surface at first glance.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg577TOZOZHyN8cb6GSfZAgaT3A7jOmHEd0ZXFhIbccQahzChP3S08QoTcoMtPuWH4yV9cb62wHAlHChAG3PG8G5TxQp1ePutWuUe1w5ktIYFfae2jHtIbV1R1emp8G7tyD5fVe2VgoDK0/s1600/invisible+gray+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg577TOZOZHyN8cb6GSfZAgaT3A7jOmHEd0ZXFhIbccQahzChP3S08QoTcoMtPuWH4yV9cb62wHAlHChAG3PG8G5TxQp1ePutWuUe1w5ktIYFfae2jHtIbV1R1emp8G7tyD5fVe2VgoDK0/s320/invisible+gray+fish.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Editing at home, adjusting the light, clarifying... Here it is.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEz6QiX4Syg9B9av5rsq1nUSBbrZTYxwzkydrcvIyhNni-MnB-ux8obl74CN87ou4ahfXFWgWlmwVGccEIT7xSfNtkfedazHgqp5Gltwt6GB0giPNLOUHiqmLfEXE3xqyHfm8WsBK40E/s1600/fish+at+Blue+Springs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="736" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEz6QiX4Syg9B9av5rsq1nUSBbrZTYxwzkydrcvIyhNni-MnB-ux8obl74CN87ou4ahfXFWgWlmwVGccEIT7xSfNtkfedazHgqp5Gltwt6GB0giPNLOUHiqmLfEXE3xqyHfm8WsBK40E/s400/fish+at+Blue+Springs.jpg" width="305" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is better than the alligator. I see just the tip of the snout gliding along the surface of the water. Just the tip of the snout, but it is there, a silent witness to all that lurks beneath. There is always more than we see. Always. At one point the alligator turns, this time with only two eyes visible, staring right at me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52NnNMNzdSfs8myXeApgd9dqfhUUtM9fqQbGQdiQnbr5bK99dKdKVtN0uh13LKTdg3RswAtX4CoCwvUSWbO6xeodE98rL9Ejs4wd8Q4IadDEl_8xTFaYJwy9TxD62iBad5QYCI6LT8-c/s1600/allligator+snout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="894" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52NnNMNzdSfs8myXeApgd9dqfhUUtM9fqQbGQdiQnbr5bK99dKdKVtN0uh13LKTdg3RswAtX4CoCwvUSWbO6xeodE98rL9Ejs4wd8Q4IadDEl_8xTFaYJwy9TxD62iBad5QYCI6LT8-c/s320/allligator+snout.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blue Springs is famous for manatees, so I hope against hope to see one swimming, but no.... Then again? A mosaic manatee, beauty crafted from broken pieces.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmt_BG5UV0ik3Nj8DR0vzmWOmpXYKzgEn_DDxmrUae-A_f3RV3VlN1vjKNv1alRDZEihAaTDmmFGWKjRyLD0gPH20ixK66vxbHzbotFczpjOTQ1GPP31D87r3He2OyVArwQvGU-SBwqw/s1600/manatee+sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmt_BG5UV0ik3Nj8DR0vzmWOmpXYKzgEn_DDxmrUae-A_f3RV3VlN1vjKNv1alRDZEihAaTDmmFGWKjRyLD0gPH20ixK66vxbHzbotFczpjOTQ1GPP31D87r3He2OyVArwQvGU-SBwqw/s400/manatee+sculpture.jpg" width="245" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The views from the boardwalk are beautiful, even if only for such a brief time. I am still trying to drink it all in. My motto: "Fill your soul with all good things, and let the beauty pour forth."</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39Nz3t2WBXkBeWRSOeQ4-RpiAn-x_09PeY8mIRA-xDUhEF60UTvzMO7OGu29BAT5F5KkID7VP1f3Q_tgpTBHmShEb9ELXGwjIRs2pvES-CDwAI_sonChgbPxJItWHrxu0ebowHfm5FAk/s1600/board+walk+at+Blue+Springs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39Nz3t2WBXkBeWRSOeQ4-RpiAn-x_09PeY8mIRA-xDUhEF60UTvzMO7OGu29BAT5F5KkID7VP1f3Q_tgpTBHmShEb9ELXGwjIRs2pvES-CDwAI_sonChgbPxJItWHrxu0ebowHfm5FAk/s400/board+walk+at+Blue+Springs.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To fill the soul, we first need to notice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ears to hear? Bird song! I hit the video icon and slowly swivel to and fro to capture the music in the trees. Then I scurry back to my van because I have places to go, people to see. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It isn't until I listen to the video later that I realize I must have hit the slo-mo instead. The first few seconds I hear cheerful chirping, and then... It's spooky. Weird. Intimidating. I think of how just this change of speed, or perception, makes all the difference in the atmosphere.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxp85TiWDUnQZ3LSRaTFJT6ToHg5b4Xe2I_BXq-Va0p57VodnlqHi-oCrIAt40QqTf-M5rLlhxysPMOL6rj4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I had already been thinking back to my afternoon as I'd been ambling along the river. I had already been praying, "Give me ears to hear, eyes to see," knowing it wasn't just for the beauty around me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was for the broken, too. The world we hear as bird song may be to them a very scary place full of traumatic memories for those who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual abuse, or spiritual abuse. Someone has been messing with their mind, their soul, their core identity, and even their perception of God. They don't know what to think or who to believe. They don't know where to turn. It's not safe out there.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And this was once the case for one of the friends I had been visiting. I'd like to introduce you to her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Valerie is a home schooling mother of 11. She lives in Wisconsin but was in Florida visiting family. I met her on Facebook first, then in person last year. She is a domestic violence advocate, because she is first of all a survivor. Her family has suffered horrifically, first at the hands of the one who abused them for decades, and then at the hands of their church, which shunned her for taking action to protecting her children and herself.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodsgFL-JeAE8w9iCfrV5TNDHL3nFRPLuDHQWPUd67IfeND0pMVSLm0z27dxIBADonGW5H0Es3T6VLJU0LPGn4DkRlpz4tFFONdJl9VlR2HVm7FBsxs5fpOeax1IbUcBHwkvmf007vqZ4/s1600/Valerie+and+Virginia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="784" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodsgFL-JeAE8w9iCfrV5TNDHL3nFRPLuDHQWPUd67IfeND0pMVSLm0z27dxIBADonGW5H0Es3T6VLJU0LPGn4DkRlpz4tFFONdJl9VlR2HVm7FBsxs5fpOeax1IbUcBHwkvmf007vqZ4/s400/Valerie+and+Virginia.jpg" width="326" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Valerie and our other friends and I spent that afternoon talking about advocating for those who have abused in various ways within churches and families. We agreed that we need to learn to notice when others are suffering, to pick up on the subtle little clues they might not readily admit. We must pay attention, because it's not always obvious. And then we must be there, with emotional and spiritual and practical support. Tragically, many churches are aware that something is wrong, but choose to either turn a blind eye and shove it under the carpet, or to add insult to injury by blaming, shaming, and pressuring the victim. They must learn to love well and not spout off ignorant rhetoric. I still need to learn to do that, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you know me well, you know that this attentive advocacy is what I have been called to do as a lifetime pursuit. It's one reason I blog about spiritual and domestic abuse here at Watch the Shepherd, one reason I'm a student at Asbury Seminary, one reason why I'm a presence on Facebook (whether in public or in advocacy groups), and one reason I started the Empowering Christian Women Facebook page. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not everyone will understand this or appreciate it. I don't care. I'm here for the hidden ones. One by one. It spreads. Ripple effect and all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, a heart to love." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friends, I plead with you: Listen to the words that others are saying, and the words they aren't saying. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Hear the stress in the voice, the whimper, the awkward pause, the sighs. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Watch the body language, the facial expressions, the deflected glance. Keep an eye out for bruises, scratches, other unexplained injuries. Pay attention to their texts, their emails, their social media. The clues may be there. It's up to you to notice. It's up to you to care.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What to do? Be gentle. Be trustworthy. Be patient. Be safe. Be vulnerable about your own story, as appropriate. Be involved. Not nosy. Not intrusive. Not bossy. Not gossiping. Not judging or shaming or blaming.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Listen well. Listen again. Listen. Love listens.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Love well. Love with words. Love with deeds. Love again. Love always.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me know if you need help. I can connect you with information and support. You can also check out my resource page here: <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/p/domestic-violence.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Domestic Violence</span></b></a>. It has links to my own articles, as well as to other web sites. Here are several blog posts to get you started:</span></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/abigails-story-responses-to-domestic.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Abigail's Story: Responses to Domestic Violence</a></span></b></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/ptsd-pain-that-keeps-on-giving-while-we.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">PTSD: Pain that Keeps on Giving While We Go on with Living</span></b></a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Recognizing Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/03/five-things-home-school-moms-should.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Five Things Home School Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages</span></span></b></a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-bad-boy-and-angel.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;">The Bad Boy and the Angel</a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/02/maras-story-anger-after-abuse-dv-story-4.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mara's Story: Anger After Abuse</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-couples-counseling-is-not.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why Couples Counseling is Not Recommended for Abusive Marriages, Even Christian Ones</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/psychological-socialism-manipulating.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Psychological Socialism: Manipulating through Equalizing Blame</span></span></b></a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/cynicism-faith-turned-upside-down.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When Abuse Leads to Cynicism</span></span></b></a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/bonding-and-bondage-in-abusive.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bonding and Bondage in Abusive Relationships</span></a></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here's some music for you: "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/P5AkNqLuVgY" width="560"></iframe></span>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-49088235375811170542019-07-07T00:06:00.004-04:002019-07-07T01:06:35.432-04:00Open a Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_xWPO4VoQen-VYa46coGaCN0x_28Rj3D-mvE2-fZ-ucr2FLPW6LqNRcM-PeISCUbsCVyB-4saHfH-Zi3R5fZlT9dnAP-BRZn8I0ukfgTj3tTUTQzpqIfQ5QVnVp1EW34InMBPy3EaPw/s1600/Open+doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="793" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_xWPO4VoQen-VYa46coGaCN0x_28Rj3D-mvE2-fZ-ucr2FLPW6LqNRcM-PeISCUbsCVyB-4saHfH-Zi3R5fZlT9dnAP-BRZn8I0ukfgTj3tTUTQzpqIfQ5QVnVp1EW34InMBPy3EaPw/s400/Open+doors.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="text Col-4-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span class="text Col-4-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Devote yourselves to prayer,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29545A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29545A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">being watchful and thankful.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-3" id="en-NIV-29546" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And pray for us, too, that</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>God may open a door<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29546B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29546B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </b></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>for our message</b>, </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">so that we may proclaim </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the mystery<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29546C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29546C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of Christ, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-4-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">for which I am in chains.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29546D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29546D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-4-4" id="en-NIV-29547" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Pray that I may proclaim it </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-4-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">clearly, as I should.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-5" id="en-NIV-29548" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Be wise<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29548E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29548E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in the way you act </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">toward outsiders;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29548F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29548F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-4-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">make the most </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-4-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">of every opportunity.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29548G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29548G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-6" id="en-NIV-29549" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let your conversation be </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">always </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">full of grace,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29549H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29549H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">seasoned with salt,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29549I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29549I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">so that you may know </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">how to answer everyone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am taking the Vocation of Ministry class online this summer from Asbury Seminary. We are reading <i>Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation</i> by Ruth Haley Barton as an encouragement to embrace the spiritual disciplines such as solitude, prayer, and Scripture. I have practiced Lectio Divina as an approach to Scripture study before. It is a slow, reflective reading of a short passage, seeking to hear from God, meditate on the words, pray the Scripture, and find ways to apply it. The goal is transformation rather than information. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Barton also recommends listening for one word or phrase that stands out, one that God is bringing to mind right now. That is not my usual practice, but as I sat tonight with Colossians 4:2-6, I pondered it phrase by phrase, line by line. What resonated most with me? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">"Open a door..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why this phrase? I realize that in the strictest interpretive context, this is about evangelism. Paul is talking about God opening doors in the community and the world for people to hear and receive the gospel for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, what resonates with me, and is also true, is that God wants my own heart to be open to the word, too. Aren't there so many ways we close ourselves off to God? Even as a believer for 43 years, I know I do. Whether it is from apathy, or resistance, or fearful self-protection, I close myself off to what I need most: a fresh message from God, Scripture for my own soul. What is the remedy? That is here too: devotedly, prayerfully, watchfully, thankfully contemplating the mystery of God's message of grace and letting it do its deep work inside of me. I need God to open that door... in me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And you know what? This is <i>still</i> about sharing the gospel with others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When they see me embracing God's word, taking it seriously, letting it shape me, that speaks powerfully into their souls. When they hear gracious words, salted with divine wisdom, that's redemption on display. When I make the most of my time for the Kingdom, choosing my actions with intention, that's such a witness to the goodness of God. This is one way God opens the door in their lives: by seeing the open door in ours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You know, God actually already said this through Colossians 3:16-17. The message dwelling within, the overflowing gratitude, the wise words and the deeds that please the Lord... It's all there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-3-16" id="en-NIV-29534" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Let the message of Christ<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29534AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29534AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Col-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">dwell</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">among you richly </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Col-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">as you teach and admonish </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Col-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">one another </span></span><span class="text Col-3-16" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with all <b>wisdom</b><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29534AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29534AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-16" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">through psalms,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29534AM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29534AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> hymns, </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-16" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and songs from the Spirit, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-3-16" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">singing to God with </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-3-16" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>gratitude</b> in your hearts.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29534AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29534AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-NIV-29535" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And whatever you do, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">whether in <b>word or deed</b>, </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">do it all in the name </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">of the Lord Jesus, </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">giving thanks<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29535AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29535AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">to God the Father </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-3-17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">through him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The word of the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks be to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hallelujah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Open the door!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. Related posts on Scripture and seminary:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-goal-is-not-control-but-empowerment.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">The Goal is Not Control, But Empowerment</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - more from Colossians</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/02/revelations-of-divine-love-by-julian-of.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich (Primary Source Analysis)</span></a></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/01/inductive-bible-study-on-discipleship.html" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9</span><span style="color: #888888; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"> </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: large;">- formal Scripture study</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 30px;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 30px; text-decoration-line: none;">Focus (One Word)</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - Lectio Divina at end</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 30px; font-weight: 400;">Plus, one from another site, also an Asbury assignment:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://renovare.org/articles/the-jogging-monk-and-the-exegesis-of-the-heart">The Jogging Monk and the Exegesis of the Heart</a></span></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-79542824750689685202019-04-13T12:03:00.000-04:002019-04-13T12:49:31.240-04:00The Goal is Not Control, But Empowerment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">"Has the community served to make individuals free, strong, and mature, or has it made them insecure and dependent? Has it taken them by the hand for a while so that they would learn again to walk by themselves, or has it made them anxious and unsure? This is one of the toughest and most serious questions that can be put to any form of everyday Christian life in community." </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I just read Bonhoeffer's book Life Together as a Church History assignment last week, and I love how this quote coincides with my own personal Scripture study. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm working through Colossians right now, taking notes in my journal. This isn't a formal study of a passage, as I would do for my seminary classes. It's more of the Read + Reflect + Respond approach that I've used for about 40 years. I sometimes cover only a very short section each day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />Today I pondered Colossians 2:2-3.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</span></b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is the apostle Paul describing his strenuous and sacrificial labors as a single man traveling in the ancient world, preaching the gospel, establishing churches, and writing letters of instruction and encouragement that we still read today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here is what struck me as I sought to make application to my own life and ministry as a home school mom, grandma, seminary student, crisis hotline worker, friend, and social media user. What is the best way to help people grow in life? How will they be affected by my influence? How have I been affected by the influence of others on my spiritual life?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many of the people in my own circle, both those I've met personally and my connections on social media, have experienced a significant amount of spiritual / emotional / physical abuse in the context of the church / family / organization. They are understandably wary of any kind of God-talk because religion has been used to control and coerce them. But that is not what God has in mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Read the verses again with me as I offer a little informal commentary along the way...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart...</span></b></i><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Goal: purpose, motivation, desired result</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Encouraged: filled up, nourished, flourishing, refreshed, motivated, empowered, strengthened</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Heart: inner being, spiritual center, core of who they are as an individual</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Two questions: Is this your goal as you influence others? Is this the goal of those who are influencing you? An abuser or dysfunctional dominant leader may claim they want to lead others in the righteous ways of God, but what is the fruit? Are those in their "care" being filled up or drained out, nourished or famished, flourishing or withering, refreshed or parched, liberated or enslaved, healed or wounded, motivated or demoralized, empowered or hindered, strengthened or weakened?</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">...and united in love...</span></b></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I see "united in love" as a healthy and healing bond. There is mutual strength, a synergy (working better together than apart) that enables greater fruitfulness. This is not a suffocating or constricting relationship. Some people think that an abusive relationship is disconnected, and in one sense it is because there is no sense of mutual partnership. However, there is a toxic bondage that throws others aside like trash but won't let them leave. Things may improve for a while, just enough to give hope that things will change. But then it escalates again, over and over. That's called the cycle of abuse, and it's why people stay instead of escaping! It's a "unity of control" but only unity in the sense that there is one person setting the agenda. That's not even true unity. It is just unilateral. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But Colossians 2:2-3 offers a powerful contrast: wholesome bonding, being truly united in LOVE. Don't accept a counterfeit to that.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">...<i>so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdom and understanding.</i></span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So being encouraged in heart and united in love is a means to further goal, which is knowing and experiencing the abundance of a spiritual life in Jesus Christ. This is a growth and enlightenment process that starts in the heart, that core of who you are. It's walking with Jesus through grace and faith, leaning into who he is and what he wants. It's not a system of pointless rules, or of conforming to the selfish expectations of others. It's an authentic transformation. An abuser communicates, "All you need to know is what I tell you." Abusers want to control the narrative. If others are under their "leadership" they don't want them to explore the Bible for themselves, seek out more education that might contradict what they are being told, have their own opinions, know enough to contradict them or hold them accountable, or be emotionally strong enough to challenge or leave them. They paralyze others through confusion, deceit, accusations, threats, trauma bonding, and religious manipulation. They communicate either overtly (in direct words) or covertly (by implication): "You are being rebellious. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. I am your God-given leader. God wants you to obey me. You will never succeed unless you listen to me. God will punish you. I just want what's best for you. You are sowing discord. You are just bitter. You never want to be accountable to anyone. You are usurping my authority. You are out of line. Why don't you just let me lead? Look at me! I'm the important one here!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To a lesser extent, this dynamic of control can also occur inadvertently with leaders who aren't even trying to be selfish. They may think that demanding compliance to their commands is what they are supposed to be doing as bold leaders, but this still leads to disillusioned, disempowered followers. I have often found myself slipping into this dynamic as a mother, usually as an overflow of the emotions of fear and shame. ("If I don't make them obey, I'll be a failure as a mother.")</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I encourage you to evaluate your own family, friendships, churches, organizations and other your spiritually-based relationships, no matter which role you play. Does this relationship or community display the riches of God? Is this true wisdom that leads to abundant spiritual understanding? Are we growing together in our core relationships with Jesus and one another? Are we seeing Jesus as both the source and goal? Is this a treasure or a theft?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My goal is to be spiritually empowered so that I can empower others. I don't want to control or be controlled. I want to have a full life in Jesus Christ and inspire others to do the same. How about you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Lots of links to extend these thoughts!</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/06/power-what-price-and-purpose.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Power: What Price and Purpose?</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> (parenting)</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2010/08/mothering-by-faith-and-grace.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mothering by Faith and Grace</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2010/03/amazing-grace-for-home-school-moms.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Amazing Grace for Home School Moms</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If You Expect Real Respect...</span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-4-dignity.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Dignity, Decisions, and Liberty of Conscience </span></a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-of-christ-our-identity-in-christ.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Life of Christ, Our Identity in Christ, The Priesthood of All Believers, Submission and Humility</span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Recognizing Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</span></a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/psychological-socialism-manipulating.html" style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Psychological Socialism: Manipulating through Equalizing Blame</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/cynicism-faith-turned-upside-down.html" style="color: #3d85c6;">When Abuse Leads to Cynicism</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/bonding-and-bondage-in-abusive.html" style="color: #3d85c6;">Bonding and Bondage in Abusive Relationships</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html" style="color: #3d85c6;">The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-walking-by-grace-instead-of-focus-on.html" style="color: #3d85c6;">On Walking by Grace Instead of a Focus on Mortifying Indwelling Sin</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/moving-on-from-broken-my-church-and.html" style="color: #3d85c6;">Moving on from Broken - My Church and Life Transition Story</a></span></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-89204105163981326682019-02-09T14:46:00.005-05:002019-03-18T10:09:38.441-04:00All the Way My Savior Leads Me (Strength in Hymn)<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk7N457VIocq9WM2iVR5uxgoFjiWftPGdcJKT7jvXOJhCXwUtTzU1CTAk8pbjZ8_xx0rETQXqbg0HVbKw_hCr2paS8dmFRc_Z0lkiRE-2kNPVETVk38stiF-DTQGZbWIEklvuBvoxIfA/s1600/Statue+of+girl+in+garden+at+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk7N457VIocq9WM2iVR5uxgoFjiWftPGdcJKT7jvXOJhCXwUtTzU1CTAk8pbjZ8_xx0rETQXqbg0HVbKw_hCr2paS8dmFRc_Z0lkiRE-2kNPVETVk38stiF-DTQGZbWIEklvuBvoxIfA/s640/Statue+of+girl+in+garden+at+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "satisfy"; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre;"><b>"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre;">Fanny Crosby</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">All the way my Savior leads me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">What have I to ask beside?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Can I doubt His tender mercy,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Who through life has been my Guide?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Here by faith in Him to dwell!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For I know, whate’er befall me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jesus doeth all things well;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For I know, whate’er befall me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jesus doeth all things well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e07d8497-7fff-8a24-a6c2-6439f618ccf2" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7-ZWspJKSu4yCYf8n1AfkQoW0rSHhl7m3dy8_A1DpNjGN-ImfoFyt44ojdRKLprkVY1gXyVKZ0d88Ly3X-RkzDVGH7hyphenhyphenN2AVhbeehsz6ZwBolylNF3EQRfy5k312BKnPjtUhrWVaprA/s1600/Purple+white+and+yellow+flowers+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7-ZWspJKSu4yCYf8n1AfkQoW0rSHhl7m3dy8_A1DpNjGN-ImfoFyt44ojdRKLprkVY1gXyVKZ0d88Ly3X-RkzDVGH7hyphenhyphenN2AVhbeehsz6ZwBolylNF3EQRfy5k312BKnPjtUhrWVaprA/s400/Purple+white+and+yellow+flowers+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">All the way my Savior leads me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cheers each winding path I tread,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gives me grace for every trial,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Feeds me with the living Bread.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Though my weary steps may falter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And my soul athirst may be,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gushing from the Rock before me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lo! A spring of joy I see;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gushing from the Rock before me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lo! A spring of joy I see.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmJVCnO8o7VztNuO39PJEuMKoaRgpJh1qEuLZImxYCf7gp5olFKdjo5B_AYxSwOgdAHLaYF9ERCcBPABtS4LA3Yj9kOw3mNZAV-SSO_UXPfm8ReK18XWkfE2pJS9WBzUyGwqjOyUaIEY/s1600/White+rose+flower+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmJVCnO8o7VztNuO39PJEuMKoaRgpJh1qEuLZImxYCf7gp5olFKdjo5B_AYxSwOgdAHLaYF9ERCcBPABtS4LA3Yj9kOw3mNZAV-SSO_UXPfm8ReK18XWkfE2pJS9WBzUyGwqjOyUaIEY/s400/White+rose+flower+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">All the way my Savior leads me,</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Oh, the fullness of His love!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Perfect rest to me is promised</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In my Father’s house above.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">When my spirit, clothed immortal,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Wings its flight to realms of day</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This my song through endless ages:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jesus led me all the way;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This my song through endless ages:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jesus led me all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qaxchhGOs2G4minvm36gbH3avnOmH7TcBHEDmeXFRY1ppoqSFTk4yu1X1C7cWdfCqPez1aax3rimmMOtC6LyHdtQVYCQDET8kREt9RFDoajyA-aYhacpsfBrfM2KR2ac6iR7wOPX3Eg/s1600/White+and+pink+flower+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qaxchhGOs2G4minvm36gbH3avnOmH7TcBHEDmeXFRY1ppoqSFTk4yu1X1C7cWdfCqPez1aax3rimmMOtC6LyHdtQVYCQDET8kREt9RFDoajyA-aYhacpsfBrfM2KR2ac6iR7wOPX3Eg/s400/White+and+pink+flower+Franciscan+monastery+in+DC.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b>About This Hymn: </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This hymn was written by Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), who became blind when she was six weeks old due to a doctor's error. She wrote this hymn as a response of a curious incident of God’s providence. You can read more here: </span><a href="https://generositymonk.com/2009/09/28/fanny-crosby-and-the-story-behind-the-song-all-the-way-my-savior-leads-me/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fanny Crosby and the Story Behind the Song “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”</b></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Fanny wrote several thousand hymns, many under pseudonyms. I remember reading her biography many years ago. She didn’t have an easy life. You can read more about her here:</span></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bcrosby8.html" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fanny Crosby (Wholesome Words)</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fanny-Crosby" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fanny Crosby (Britannica)</b></span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://www.truthfulwords.org/biography/crosbytw2.html" style="white-space: pre;">The Life and Ministry of Frances Jane Crosby</a></span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.fampeople.com/cat-fanny-crosby" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Fanny Crosby (FamPeople)</b></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span>- this is the most compete article by far! I haven’t even finished reading it. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b>Why I Chose This Hymn:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had been musing lately on how God has led me through the nearly 43 years I have been a Christian believer. I have so many stories tucked away in my memory of odd little circumstances which set into motion long reaching ripple effects leading to huge changes in my direction. (More on that later.) So I muse and I’m amused. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyway, the title to this hymn came to mind during my ponderings, which is unusual since I didn’t even recognize the lyrics nor the melody when I looked it up on YouTube. (The video is at the bottom of this post.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reading the words “Jesus doeth all things well” at the end of the first stanza reminds me of the famous words, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well” written by Julian of Norwich in her book Revelations of Divine Love. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julian was a medieval anchoress, a </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">woman who chose to withdraw from public life to consecrate herself to a solitary life of prayer and devotion. She literally lived in a cell attached to a church, St. Julian’s, from which she took her name. I’m not planning to follow her footsteps in that, I assure you. However, I am preparing for some sort of ministry, the form of which I do not yet know. To that end, I am currently a student at Asbury Theological Seminary’s Orlando campus, and last semester I wrote a Primary Source Analysis (PSA) paper on Julian’s work for my Church History 1 class. You can read it here:</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/02/revelations-of-divine-love-by-julian-of.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Revelations of Divine Love</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">The story of how I ended up at seminary is one example of God’s curious way of leading me. It involved:</span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">a lifelong desire to be educated for ministry</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">a conversation with my mother about grad school several years ago before she passed away</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/soul-musings-from-old-journal.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">a journal entry</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;"> specifically mentioning Asbury Seminary even though I could not attend then </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">assorted family crises</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">ministry among other women in crisis</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">a lot of blogging about church abuse issues </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">the resulting FB friendship with a woman who blogs about the same topics on the opposite side of the country</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">that new friend’s Facebook post about the </span><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/08/mutual-by-design-2017-christians-for.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Christians for Biblical Equality conference</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;"> she was attending in my city</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">a mutual FB friend (whom I had also not yet met in person) offering a scholarship so I could attend that conference</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">meeting several Methodist women at the CBE conference</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">my grandson’s rescheduled birthday party (the Sunday-morning-several-weeks-late timing of which caused me to visit a Methodist church’s early service since it was my late mother’s birthday and she had been born into a Methodist family and I had admired the Methodist women I had met at the CBE conference)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">running into an old friend at that Methodist church (whom I had met when we worked for the same school years ago)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">attending her </span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-mom-starts-new-chapter.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Lectio Divina Bible study</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;">, and hearing her talk about her Inductive Bible Study class at seminary (a conversation which made me drool)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">my 2018 "one word" </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html">Focus</a></b></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">and several key shifts in my own family circumstances. </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that’s just a tiny sample of the story. There is much more to it, but I don’t want to write a book here. And all the way my Savior leads me. That much I know, even though I don’t always know what’s next on the agenda. Life is quite an adventure. I can trust God to be with me every step of the way. And then I look back and laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Related links? Sure thing!</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-mom-starts-new-chapter.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>This Mom Starts a New Chapter</b></span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2019/01/arise-one-word.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Arise (One Word)</span></a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "mountains of christmas"; font-size: large; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/sweet-sunday-morning-in-geneve.html" style="font-family: "Mountains of Christmas"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sweet Sunday Morning in Geneve (Europe #5)</span></a><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b>- an amusing story of being in the right place at the right time</span></li>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-vision-of-mother-life-poem.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A Vision of Mother-Life (A Poem)</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/p/strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Strength in Hymn index</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/guide-me-o-thou-great-jehovah-strength.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/08/mutual-by-design-2017-christians-for.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mutual by Design 2017 Christians for Biblical Equality Conference</b></span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me (Reflections on A Measure of Light)</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">- many generations of God's leading in my family history</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/09/pilgrimage-and-jubilee.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Pilgrimage and Jubilee</span></b></a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Photos in this Post: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The photos in this post are from my visit to the <a href="https://myfranciscan.org/"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America</span></b></a> in Washington, D.C. last fall. I had wanted to go back to the National Cathedral the last time I visited family in Maryland. (See my poem <a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">God of Joy, I See Thee</span></b></a> for photos of my first visit in 2017.) My nephew Doug also loves the cathedral and offered to take me. When we were driving home, I found out he had plotted a surprise detour to see the monastery too. He knew I would enjoy it, and I certainly did! I love this kind of adventure. You can see more about that here: <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-birthday-weekend-in-maryland-in.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">My Birthday Weekend in Maryland</span></b></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh, all that for one hymn post! You never know what you're going to get when you read my blogs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-68368920252861628802019-02-09T13:26:00.003-05:002019-03-18T10:09:37.903-04:00Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich (Primary Source Analysis for Asbury Seminary)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lNi02xXgo8VGQPIOokIatKO5S5BiRbCH77aemeqdTppdLq1o89n6WtrX-IUHzvXxNNyPMR9YZF33GjCEx4j11nP1Wv7SKTwQlPIdW3HpU6zKmuPQwIuXCu9ZA-UdXJzow6Ixwj3uZ1c/s1600/Julian_of_Norwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lNi02xXgo8VGQPIOokIatKO5S5BiRbCH77aemeqdTppdLq1o89n6WtrX-IUHzvXxNNyPMR9YZF33GjCEx4j11nP1Wv7SKTwQlPIdW3HpU6zKmuPQwIuXCu9ZA-UdXJzow6Ixwj3uZ1c/s320/Julian_of_Norwich.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-size: large;">Revelations of Divine Love</span></b></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">by Julian of Norwich </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is one of my Church History assignments from last semester at Asbury Theological Seminary. For a Primary Source Analysis (PSA), a student must read the historical document, and then follow a series of writing prompts. Last semester, we had several options to choose as subjects for our two PSA projects, and I chose Athanasius's work <i>On the Incarnation</i> for my first, and Julian's <i>Revelations of Divine Love</i> for my second. This semester, for Church History 2, I am likely to choose <i>Women’s Speaking Justified</i> (1666) by Margaret Fell and <i>Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians </i>(1792)<i> </i>by William Carey.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Primary Source Analysis:</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Revelations of Divine Love </b></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">by Julian of Norwich </b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Summary</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Revelations of Divine Love</i> is Julian of Norwich’s expression of a series of 16 visions she received while she was deathly ill for several days at the age of 30. In the introduction, she explains her purpose in writing and the circumstances of her infirmity and complete healing, then briefly recaps the theological themes of each of her visions. These are mostly related to the Passion of Christ, the great love of God, and the spiritual bliss and peace experienced when believers are “grounded” and “oned” with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Julian first wrote a short version of her Revelations, but expanded it with additional meditations about 20 years later. There are no extant manuscripts for the earlier version, and the only complete ones for the later one date from the 17th century. Her longer book has 85 chapters, which are not evenly split between the 16 visions, as some were much more descriptive than others. The complete form of <i>Revelations of Divine Love </i>is considered one of the great Christian classics, and was the first female-authored English-language book still in print.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Historical/Theological Context</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Julian of Norwich, born in 1342 in England, was a medieval anchoress, a woman who chose to withdraw from public life to consecrate herself to a solitary life of prayer and devotion. We don’t know her actual name, but St. Julian is name of the church where she lived as a recluse for most of her life. She was also known as Juliana. According to <i>The Book of Margery Kempe</i>, Julian was sought out as a spiritual counselor by those who visited her in her cell. Very little is known of Julian apart from what she has written in this book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Julian was not the only female medieval mystic in Europe. Hildegard von Bingen of Germany, who preceded her by over a century, and Catherine of Siena, Italy, who lived at about the same time as Julian, also recorded extensive divine visions which have survived to modern times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In English theology, Julian was a contemporary of reformer John Wycliffe. It is notable that he did not begin his English translation efforts until 1380, which would have been after Julian’s visions. Thus, she would not have had access to English Scripture, and would have had to have either known Latin or relied on the teachings of other clerics for her knowledge of the Bible.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Author’s Intention</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Julian’s intention for recording her Shewings (as she called them) was to share her experience so that others could better understand divine love and thus draw closer to God in intimate communion. It does not appear that she had any interest in promoting herself by writing; her humility prevented her from overshadowing the glorious visions which magnified the God she loved so much. She refers to herself merely as “a simple creature unlettered.” She aimed to promote reverence and hope, as well as wholehearted devotion.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Central Themes</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The passion of Christ: Julian vividly described her impressions of Jesus during the days surrounding his crucifixion, with special attention paid to physiological aspects such as sweating blood, shedding blood, becoming dehydrated, his skin changing color, and his side being riven open. This seems similar to the fascination that the Moravians later had with the physical wounds of Christ.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Of the brownness and blackness, the ruefulness and wastedness of this Image many marvel how it might be, since that He portrayed it with His blessed Face who is the fairness of heaven, flower of earth, and the fruit of the Maiden's womb. Then how might this Image be so darkening in colour and so far from fair?--I desire to tell like as I have understood by the grace of God.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Being “grounded” and “oned” with God: This concept is repeated throughout the book. “Grounded” refers to God being our foundation and source, while “oned” is being united in intimate communion with God. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">For our Soul is so deep-grounded in God, and so endlessly treasured, that we may not come to the knowing thereof till we have first knowing of God, which is the Maker, to whom it is oned.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Spiritual bliss:</b> The theme of bliss appears throughout the book. Julian assures her readers that this is what God wants for us, rather than living in shame or despair.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">GLAD and joyous and sweet is the Blissful lovely Cheer of our Lord to our souls. For He [be]holdeth us ever, living in love-longing: and He willeth that our soul be in glad cheer to Him, to give Him His meed. And thus, I hope, with His grace He hath [drawn], and more shall draw, the Outer Cheer to the Inner Cheer, and make us all one with Him, and each of us with other, in true lasting joy that is Jesus.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Peace and Hope:</b> Julian was confident that God would bring good out of every situation in life, because he is good, wise, and able. The last passage listed below contains the words for which Julian is most known, here italicized.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thus saw I that God is our very Peace, and He is our sure Keeper when we are ourselves in unpeace, and He continually worketh to bring us into endless peace.</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Behold and see! For by the same Might, Wisdom, and Goodness that I have done all this, by the same Might, Wisdom, and Goodness I shall make well all that is not well; and thou shalt see it.</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And for the tender love that our good Lord hath to all that shall be saved, He comforteth readily and sweetly, signifying thus: It is sooth that sin is cause of all this pain; but all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner [of] thing shall be well.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">On questioning about this, Julian is told that if God can bring about salvation after the sin of Adam, the worst that has ever happened, he can make all other things well, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Motherhood of Both the Virgin Mary and Jesus: </b>The entire Eleventh revelation is about Jesus showing his mother to Julian three times. She is also mentioned often in the other revelations. But then she also characterizes Jesus as a heavenly Mother in her extended comments after the first fourteen Revelations.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And in this sweet word [it was] as if He had said: I wot well that thou wouldst see my blessed Mother: for, after myself, she is the highest joy that I might shew thee, and most pleasance and worship to me; and most she is desired to be seen of my blessed creatures.</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Mother may lay the child tenderly to her breast, but our tender Mother, Jesus, He may homely lead us into His blessed breast, by His sweet open side, and shew therein part of the Godhead and the joys of Heaven, with spiritual sureness of endless bliss.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The all-encompassing love of God: </b>As indicated by the books title, Divine Love is the main theme of the Revelations, and accordingly it appears throughout the book. It is fitting then, that Julian ends her final Revelation with these words:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And I saw full surely that ere God made us He loved us; which love was never slacked, nor ever shall be. And in this love He hath done all His works; and in this love He hath made all things profitable to us; and in this love our life is everlasting. In our making we had beginning; but the love wherein He made us was in Him from without beginning: in which love we have our beginning. And all this shall we see in God, without end.</span></i></blockquote>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Positive and Negative Features</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I admire both Julian’s perception and her devotion to God, which are quite challenging to me in much different circumstances. I am most charmed by her tender (and often archaic) vocabulary, such as dearworthy, full lovely, mirth, bliss, weal, solace, love-longing, courteously, All-Wisdom, and Benedicite Domine. I love the metaphors and analogies she uses, such as being wrapped in God like clothing, or that “All-Thing” (everything) created is as insignificant as a hazelnut yet still deeply loved by its Creator. Her writing is both detailed and imaginative, which might have been enhanced as a result of her expansion of the manuscript in later years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main negative aspect I perceived is that her understanding of the doctrine of atonement seems to not align with the more classical views that I hold. Even her viewpoint on this resonates with me, though. She also believed in Purgatory, a doctrine I believe to be without Biblical merit. Some of her descriptions make me uncomfortable as well, but that is not necessarily a detriment.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Modern Application for the Church</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Revelations of Divine Love</i> has several applications for the modern church to consider, with various aspects most needed according to theological emphases of different movements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The book’s theme of God’s love, as opposed to his wrath, might initially appeal to those in the church who prefer to focus on the more pleasant and positive aspects of the faith, especially those related to emotional fulfillment. To these believers, Julian’s treatises on the Passion of Christ, as well as her own lifestyle, would also be both instructive and corrective toward a more rigorous reverence, consecration, and service. Those who tend to be self-absorbed and consumed with grand success would do well to think on her ideas of the smallness of humankind in relation to their All-Being Creator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, that same rapturous description of the generous and warm love of God toward his creation might also serve to temper the legalistic tendencies of those in the modern church who see God only as wrathful and exacting. It is the compassion of Christ which enraptured and captured Julian’s heart, not a regimented checklist of doctrines and behaviors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Related to that, but also distinct, is that many of Julian’s meditations feminize God’s characteristics. That, combined with her own medieval womanhood, could be quite refreshing to those who have experienced the more patriarchal edge of the modern church, where modern women still have no voice and where promoting masculinity and male privilege seem to be the operative priority.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is interesting that Julian expanded her writing much later on. That is an indication that Christians can benefit from revisiting what God has shown them earlier, evaluating the central message, exploring the ideas further, and using that as a springboard for later ministry. This is perhaps part of what has made her work so enduring for well over 600 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To believers in every time period, Julian’s exhortations about being “grounded” and “oned” with God serve as a call to a much deeper and more beautiful communion between believers and their Creator. The 21st century church seems to be sadly lacking in authentic and transformative faith, settling instead for shallow caricatures of who Jesus is and what he wants to do in the life of his saints. May God grant revival to his people even now.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">~*~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That assignment was for Church History 1. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Here is one I did for my Inductive Bible Study course.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/01/inductive-bible-study-on-discipleship.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;">Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9 (Seminary Notes)</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may also like my post:</span><br />
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<ul class="posts" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-width: 0px; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;">
<li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</b></span></a></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-84514798010674665632019-01-08T12:15:00.000-05:002019-03-18T10:09:38.233-04:00Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9 (Seminary Notes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">"Le Christ Bennissant" by Bernardino Luini</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Louvre, Paris</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear friends,</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I thoroughly enjoyed my first semester at <a href="https://asburyseminary.edu/"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Asbury Theological Seminary</span></b></a> (Orlando campus) this past fall, and I'm looking forward to three new classes starting in a few weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the classes I took - and the one which drew me to seminary in the first place - was Inductive Bible Study (IBS) on Matthew. The whole goal is to be able to do an in-depth study of the text and glean directly from it. We learned how to survey passages of Scripture, break them down into units and sub-units, find major structures (recurrence of themes, cause and effect, generalization & specification, introduction to climax, etc.), make observations, and ask/answer interpretive questions. We also did word studies from Greek, as well as consulting commentaries after we had finished all of our own studies. The application phase is reserved for a more advanced IBS class. Unfortunately we did not have time to study every passage in Matthew. The weekly assignments were already quite time-consuming, taking anywhere from about 7 to 18 hours each. Now we know how to pick apart a passage and squeeze more insight out of it than we ever though possible.</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A Facebook friend recently invited me to join an FB group to read through the four gospels this year. I thought that sounded like a good way to keep going, so I hit the button and now we're on Matthew 8. I recognized it as one of the passages I had studied during an Observation and Interpretation assignment. Since we had been invited to share our findings with the group, I figured I would dust off this assignment and post it to this blog. </span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Note that the study here is only part of a much larger process. I haven't done a structural analysis, nor an in-depth word study section. The Observation & Interpretation section is broken into three smaller sections, according to the three questions </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(ex. </span><span style="text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">How Does One Become a Disciple?)</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> posed by my professor, Dr. Brian Russell</span><span style="text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The questions underneath them in parentheses (ex. </span><span style="text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Are a Disciple’s Initial Experiences with Jesus?)</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> are my paraphrases of Dr. Russell's questions. If I had not limited myself to these three assigned questions, I would have made many additional observations and interpretations, and I would have done the verses in order rather than by section. I'll try to post another study later on which has other features to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Far from being just an academic exercise, this assignment made me think deeply about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. I hope that this blog post will spark that discovery in you as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 8:1-9:35</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Observation and Interpretation</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Theme: Discipleship</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How Does One Become a Disciple?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(What Are a Disciple’s Initial Experiences with Jesus?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Observation</span></b></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Interpretation</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The crowds followed Jesus when he came down from the mountain after his sermon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discipleship starts with the simple act of following, which may be within the context of a group of other interested people who don’t end up becoming disciples in the fullest sense. There are social factors in discipleship. In this case, it started first with hearing about Jesus (which prompted the gathering on the mount) and then hearing Jesus himself speak to the crowd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:2</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The leper came individually and knelt before Jesus, calling him Lord and asking him for cleansing.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Jesus and becoming his disciple is not just as one of the crowd, but coming personally and reverently, expressing dependence and submission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Gentile centurion came to Jesus with a humble and reverent request, recognizing the power and authority of Jesus as Lord. He also related his own experiences with authority.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A disciple recognizes the power and authority of Jesus to change situations. A disciple naturally brings his/her own personal experiences that shape his/her perception of who Jesus is. Disciples each have their own way of relating to Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:10-13</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus commended the Gentile centurion for his faith and declared that many would come from east and west to his banquet table, but many who assumed they were of the kingdom would be thrown out.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becoming a disciple also starts with faith in who Jesus is and what he can do. It is not based on being a member of the religious elite. It is available for all, no matter their national or ethnic background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:9</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus saw Matthew at the tax booth and commanded him to follow, which Matthew immediately did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becoming a disciple starts with responding to his call, preferably promptly. This also often means leaving other pursuits behind, which is evidence of placing Jesus as the top priority.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:10-13</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When questioned, Jesus said he came to call the sinners, not the righteous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A disciple of Jesus does not start out as a righteous person, but as a sinner. Becoming a disciple is not based on already being a devout person. It only takes a sinner who knows his/her need for Jesus.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 91px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1.32px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1.32px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1.32px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1.32px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.66px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A key word in some of these verses is “follow.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following isn’t just about physically walking (or driving) behind someone. It is about heeding their instruction and example, and doing the things they do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; white-space: normal;" /></span></div>
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<table style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0.66px; border-collapse: collapse; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0.33px;"><colgroup><col width="77"></col><col width="238"></col><col width="277"></col></colgroup><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Are the Requirements of Being a Disciple?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(What Does a Disciple Need to Be and Do?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Observation</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interpretation</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:18</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus gives orders, and disciples must obey them. Discipleship often means pulling away from the big crowd to walk with Jesus. That doesn’t mean living as a solitary hermit though; the disciples were all with him, and each other, in the boat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:19-20</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The scribe promised to follow Jesus wherever he went, but Jesus replied that the Son of Man had no place of his own, even to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A disciple must be willing to travel continually to places where he/she may not “belong” - and where there are few comforts. A disciple must be willing to not even have a settled home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:21-22</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another disciple said he wanted to go bury his father first, but Jesus told him to let the dead bury their own dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A disciple must be willing to leave behind family and its obligations, as necessary, to demonstrate the priority of following Jesus. I think I have read before that this verse doesn’t necessarily mean the father was already dead, but that the man wanted to wait until his father was dead and buried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:14-15</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples of John asked why the disciples of Jesus were not fasting. Jesus replied that they were like attendants celebrating with the bridegroom while he was with them, but that they would fast in mourning later when he wasn’t with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes disciples fast, and sometimes they don’t. This is not a rigid requirement. What is required is to be sensitive to the demands of the current situation, as when Ecclesiastes 3:4-5 says there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A key feature in some of these verses is immediate and unconditional obedience to the call and commands of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A disciple is required to obey Jesus without excuse or delay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; white-space: normal;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(What Kind of Experiences Can a Disciple Expect While Following Jesus?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Observation</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interpretation</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:14-17</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and many other people (including those afflicted by demons and spirits) fulfilling the Isaiah prophecy: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple means knowing that Jesus cares about the disciple’s family members, but that this practical compassion goes way beyond circle into in the larger community. Being a disciple means being placed in the context of the prophetic tradition, and recognizing how Jesus fulfills predictions made about him as the Messiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:18</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple means spending time with Jesus. Jesus was with his disciples in the boat, wanting to get away from the crowds. One might presume that this is because he wished to spend more intimate and in-depth time in fellowship with his committed disciples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:25</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples were distressed while they were in a boat in a storm while Jesus was asleep.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus means that he/she is sometimes put in uncomfortable situations where he/she doesn’t really know what is going on, but still needs to trust God and ask for help.</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 91px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:27</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples were amazed at the power which Jesus exercised over the wind and the waves.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being of a disciple of Jesus often means feeling astonished to freshly discover who he is and what he can do.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 168px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:28-34</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples watched two demoniacs confront Jesus. They witnessed him sending the demons into a herd of pigs who rushed into the lake to their death. They heard the horrified townspeople beg Jesus to leave.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus can mean encountering evil powers and watching Jesus overcome them. It means dealing with people who don’t understand or appreciate the work of God, and who place higher priority on material goods than the well-being of other people.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; white-space: normal;" /></span></div>
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<table style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-collapse: collapse; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0.33px;"><colgroup><col width="67"></col><col width="219"></col><col width="306"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 110px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:10</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples were with Jesus when he had dinner in a home with many tax collectors and sinners sitting with them.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus means being ready to meet and befriend people who live on the margins of society.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 91px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:11</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Pharisees questioned the disciples about why Jesus would eat with tax collectors and sinners.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus means having to answer questions about Jesus from people who may be hostile and incredulous.</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 148px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:14</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples of John questioned Jesus about why his disciples were not fasting like them.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus means people asking questions, sometimes accusatory, about the nature of discipleship. The actions of disciples in following Jesus may not always measure up to the expectations of others who sincerely follow the same God from a different perspective.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 110px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:15</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast when he was with them, whereas they would mourn and fast later when he wasn’t with them.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus means that there are times for normal living and joy, and times for fasting and mourning. There is a lot of adjusting to situations.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 148px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:16-17</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When questioned about why his disciples did not fast, Jesus gave analogies about not sewing an unshrunk patch on an old cloak, and not pouring new wine into old wine skins.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple has something to do with old and new. I believe there is an implication that being a disciple means that Jesus makes a fundamental change in the heart, and that what fit in with the disciple’s life before knowing Jesus won’t fit in any longer after becoming his disciple.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 110px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:18-19</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus followed the synagogue ruler to his daughter, and the disciples went with him.</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple of Jesus means following him when he responsively and compassionately “follows” someone else. A disciple might have to go to (and with) others instead of expecting to stay in his/her own place.</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 52px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.33px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0.33px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.33px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0.33px; padding-bottom: 6.66px; padding-left: 6.66px; padding-right: 6.66px; padding-top: 6.66px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 23.04px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:35</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus traveled, taught, preached, and healed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a disciple means participating in what Jesus is doing to minister to others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Commentary Findings</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Using the Strong’s Concordance, entry G3101, at Blue Letter Bible, I found that the word for disciple in Matthew 8-9 is mathētēs, which they define as “a learner, pupil, disciple.” According to the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels,“</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">... mathētēs ... designated adherents or followers who were committed to a recognized leader, teacher or movement.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In reference to the two men who claimed to want to follow Jesus, R.T. France notes:</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In these two tantalizing scenes, therefore, we are reminded of the grey area which existed between the uncommitted “crowd” (cf. 5:1; 7:28–29) and the fully-committed Twelve, an area which will be further delineated in the range of responses set out in the parable of the sower (13:3–8, 18–23).” </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both R. T. France and Anna Case-Winters addressed the issue of whether the would-be disciple’s father was dead yet. France acknowledges that it was a possibility, but also countered that “If the father had just died, the son could hardly be out at the roadside with Jesus; his place was to be keeping vigil and preparing for the funeral. Rather, to “bury one’s father” is standard idiom for fulfilling one’s filial responsibilities responsibilities for the remainder of the father’s lifetime, with no prospect of his imminent death.” </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Case-Winters, on the other hand, is more prepared to accept the man’s words at face value: “Left to stand as it is, the story lays bare the radical demands of discipleship… One must be willing to give up ‘home and security and family obligations’ to leave it all behind and cross over to the other side.” </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She also comments on discipleship in reference to the boat story: “This perilous crossing is a harbinger of things to come. The way will be stormy, but Jesus will be with them. The promise of Jesus’ presence and authority over storms was a needed word.” </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Finally, she also notes: “Tax collectors were assumed to be thieves as well as collaborators, collecting more than was required and profiting from the power of their positions… Yet here is Jesus calling Matthew the tax-collector to follow him. Jesus is calling sinners to be disciples (9:13).”</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Commentary References:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cc88a241-7fff-991a-ad59-ba5da30231b5" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) (p. 203). InterVarsity Press. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">France, R. T.. The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (p. 324-330).</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-1fe4c14a-7fff-8539-64c1-a480515cd361" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Case-Winters, Anna. Matthew (Belief: a Theological Commentary on the Bible) (p.149-152), Westminster John Knox Press. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.66px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Synthesis</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becoming a disciple is a matter of believing and following Jesus, recognizing his deity, his power, and his authority. It does not require that a person be righteous to come to him, as he says he came for sinners. He proved that by calling Matthew, a despised tax collector, as well as commending the faith of the Gentile centurion over against many who would claim to be sons of the kingdom. The requirements of discipleship are acknowledging the priority of Jesus over all other claims, and obeying him fully and promptly. A disciple’s life may involve uncomfortable, awkward, and risky situations. They will at times have to lay aside other priorities, including family, in obedience to Christ. They will be mocked and interrogated. They will encounter evil powers. They will learn to embrace marginalized people. They will have to adjust their actions and demeanor based on circumstances. Most of all disciples can expect to be continually astonished by the compassion, the healing presence, and the power and authority of Jesus. </span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-68062767577179106962018-11-06T14:37:00.002-05:002019-03-18T10:09:37.877-04:00You Can Make This Holiday Season a Little Merrier for Others<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4751778360437352736" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 460px;">
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Dear friends,<br />
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I've been thinking lately, as so many of you have, about how many people are in survival mode during the holidays. I'm not talking about how they have just crammed their schedules too busy or they are running around trying to buy all of their feast ingredients and gifts in time. I am talking about real survival mode: they don't have enough food to eat, decent clothes to wear, proper medical attention, maybe even a roof over their heads. Or they might be struggling through chronic pain or handicaps - physical, emotional, and or spiritual. They might be afflicted with mental illness. They might just be lonely or anxious, or grieving the loss of loved ones.<br />
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Think through the people you know, or even those whom you don't know yet. What are they going through right now? <br />
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Where are they? In a Third World country around the globe from you, on the streets downtown, in a decent enough home down the street from you, or, chances are, they might be living at your house. This might be you. <br />
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What can you do? How can you help make the holiday season a little merrier for someone else?</div>
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<li>Invite an international student or someone else who has no local family over for a holiday meal, even if it is not right on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day. How about hosting a Friendsgiving this year to give everyone a chance to gather for food, fun, and friendly conversation? </li>
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<li>Talk to a lonely friend. A cup of tea? A listening ear for sure. Listen, don't lecture.</li>
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<li>Watch what you say to people, especially among those whom you don't know really, really well. You might make a critical comment about "other people's problems" (such as substance abuse, financial issues, family crisis, mental illness, etc.) not realizing that those in your presence are affected by it too. You don't always know what someone is going through, and if you are throwing off negative vibes, you can be sure they won't be eager to tell you about it, unless it is to tell you off for being insensitive. :-(</li>
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<li>Be extra sensitive and gracious to families with special needs children. Read here: <a href="http://www.thatmom.com/2012/12/02/day-24-making-it-through-the-holidays-with-children-who-have-special-needs/">Making It Through the Holidays with Children Who Have Special Needs</a> (at Karen Campell's That Mom blog)</li>
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<li>Offer to watch a friends' kids so their stressed out parent(s) (especially a single mom or dad) can go out for some alone time, a date with a hubby or friend, or a holiday party. </li>
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<li>Take a fancy casserole, a pumpkin pie, or a plate of Christmas cookies to a shut in. Be sure to ask about food restrictions if they have health issues. Maybe you could reduce salt in your meats and side dishes, and use stevia instead of sugar for your baked goods.</li>
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<li>Sing Christmas carols at a nursing home. </li>
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<li>Write letters or make cards for (or with) elderly relatives or neighbors. Add pictures that your kids have made.</li>
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<li>Help an elderly or handicapped friend decorate for Christmas. They can't always reach up high or lift boxes. See <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-christmas-decorating-on-dime.html">Easy Christmas Decorating on a Dime</a>.</li>
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<li>Throw a Christmas craft party for neighbor kids. Provide all of the supplies for projects for various ages and interests. Make sure you serve lots of yummy snacks! And tell them about Jesus. Yes, tell them about Jesus.</li>
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<li>Go serve the Thanksgiving or Christmas meal at the homeless shelter. </li>
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<li>Donate non-perishable foods or gift cards to a food drive. </li>
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<li>Pick out gifts for a needy someone in your community. (Ask your pastor for the names of needy folks or worthy organizations.) </li>
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<li>Be a Secret Santa and drop a bag of goodies or presents off on a doorstep of someone you know. Don't know what to buy? A gift card to Walmart or Target is always appreciated so they can buy for their own kids. And then maybe a Starbucks or Panera gift card so they can stop for a hot drink or a snack while they're out shopping.</li>
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<li><a href="https://www.partnersintl.org/harvestofhope/">Harvest of Hope with Partners International</a> - gift catalog of items you can order to be sent to impoverished people around the world. Piglets anyone? Or how about medicine, or school supplies, or clean water, or therapy for a disabled child? There are plenty of options to fit your budget and get your kids involved!</li>
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Blessings,</div>
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Virginia Knowles</div>
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Note: This is an edited repost from 2012.</div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-651566862386201872018-10-03T21:59:00.001-04:002019-03-18T10:09:37.784-04:00Domestic Violence: What to Know and What to Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Tomorrow evening, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am speaking at a small church (in a home) about how Christians can respond to domestic violence victims. To help prepare for that, I decided to update this list of my own blog posts on the topic (the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue;">blue and </b><b><span style="color: #999999;">gray</span></b> links</span><span style="font-size: large;">), as well as other related web links (the </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>brown links</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope that this post will give you resources and courage to help yourself or someone else find safety and sanity. Please know that my heart and prayers are with you. I would be delighted to hear from you, so feel free to </span><a href="mailto:virginiaknowles@gmail.com" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">e-mail</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you are using a computer that others also use, and you need to visit web pages discretely for safety's sake, please stop for a moment consider whether you can proceed without undue risk. You may try using an incognito browser, but if somebody has placed keystroke tracking software on your computer, you are still at risk. Consider going to a friend's house or a public library to use a different computer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On this page you will find links to articles on my own blogs and other sites, phone numbers, books, and Central Florida domestic violence centers. Please note that I do not endorse everything at these sites or by these organizations. I trust that you will use your own discretion. Also please note that many of the links within the blog posts may be obsolete, but the ones on this page should work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please realize that though I am using the phrase "domestic violence" in the blog post title, there are many more forms of domestic abuse beyond physical violence. These include coercion & threats, intimidation, emotional abuse (which includes spiritual abuse), isolation, minimizing / denying / blaming, using children, male privilege, and economic abuse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is also important to note that even if a situation seems calm at a given moment, there may still be a continuing "cycle of violence." It's not the abuse stops, but that the outward forms of it go dormant for a while. It is still an abusive relationship that can escalate at any time.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sections in this blog post:</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Phone Numbers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Domestic Abuse in Christian Marriages</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Domestic Violence Basics</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Practical Help & Safety Planning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Counseling & the Psychology of Abuse</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How Christians & Churches Can Help Abuse Victims, Promote Mutual Respect, and Empower Women</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dating Violence</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Domestic Violence and Children</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Central Florida Resources</span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Phone Numbers</span></u><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800)799-7233</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">USA Domestic Abuse Hotline: (800)999-SAFE</span></li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Domestic Abuse in Christian Marriages</u></span></b></div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recognizing Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/03/five-things-home-school-moms-should.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Five Things Home School Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-bad-boy-and-angel.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bad Boy and the Angel</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/abigails-story-responses-to-domestic.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Abigail's Story: Responses to Domestic Violence</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/elizabeths-story-domestic-violence-in.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elizabeth's Story: Domestic Violence in a Ministry Home</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/02/maras-story-anger-after-abuse-dv-story-4.html">Mara's Story: Anger After Abuse</a></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://flyingfreenow.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Flying Free Now</span></a> </span>- blog by Natalie Hoffman</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.susanemoore.com/sweeter-on-the-other-side-a-guest-post/" style="color: #888888;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sweeter on the Other Side</span></a></b></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/megan-d-cox/give-her-wings-help-healing-after-abuse/paperback/product-21886493.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Give Her Wings: Help and Healing After Abuse</span></a></span> - this book by Megan Cox is her story of escaping an abusive marriage in which her husband was a pastor. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/story-finding-after-domestic-abuse-ebook/ruth-tucker/9780310524991/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife: My Story of Finding Hope after Domestic Abuse</span></b></a> book by Dr. Ruth A. Tucker (a seminary professor and noted author)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.calledtopeace.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Called to Peace</span></b></a></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Domestic Violence Basics</u></span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/domestic-violence-awareness-month-with.html">Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Leslie Vernick</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-cant-ignore-domestic-violence.html">We Can't Ignore Domestic Violence</a></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thehotline.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>National Domestic Violence Hotline</b></span></a></li>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/images/wpe6.jpg"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Power and Control Wheel</span></a></div>
</div>
</span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ncadv.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">National Coalition Against Domestic Violence</span></a></span></span></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://domesticviolence.org/cycle-of-violence/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cycle of Violence</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/InfoDomesticViolence.htm#strategies"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Information on Domestic Violence</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Faith Trust Institute</span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.interfaithpartners.org/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Futures Without Violence</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><a href="https://nnedv.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>National Network to End Domestic Violence</b></span></a></li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></b>
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><u>Practical Help & Safety Planning</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thehotline.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; text-decoration-line: none;"></span></span></b></a><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<a href="https://www.thehotline.org/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"></a></div>
</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<a href="https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Path to Safety: National Domestic Violence Hotline</span></a></div>
</span></span></b></li>
<li><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://domesticviolence.org/personalized-safety-plan/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Personalized Safety Plan</b></span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">at </span><a href="http://domesticviolence.org/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">DomesticViolence.org</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.dvrc-or.org/safety-planning/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Safety Planning</span></a></span></span></div>
</span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<a href="https://www.mosaicmethod.com/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">MOSAIC Method Threat Assessment</span></a></div>
</span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://ncadv.org/financial-education"><span style="color: #b45f06;">NCADV Financial Education Webinars for DV Survivors</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.thehotline.org/help/tech-social-media-safety/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Tech and Social Media Safety</span></a></span></span></div>
</span></span></b></li>
<li><a href="https://www.domesticshelters.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Domestic Violence Shelters</span></a><b style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(find one in your area)</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/apply-for-coverage/apply-for-coverage.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Apply for Medicaid</span></a><b style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(based on income and family size)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thoughtcatalog.com/abbey-fox/2013/07/the-four-ds-of-bystander-intervention-how-to-make-the-world-a-better-place/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The 4D's of Bystander Intervention: How to Make the World a Better Place</span></a></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Yourself-From-Abusive-Relationship/dp/0897932579/"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Free Yourself from an Abusive Relationship: 7 Steps to Taking Back Your Life</span></b></a> book by Andrea Lissette, M.A. and Richard Kraus, Ph.D.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>C</u></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>ounseling & the Psychology of Abuse</u></span></b></div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-couples-counseling-is-not.html">Why Couples Counseling is Not Recommended for Abusive Marriages, Even Christian Ones</a></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/psychological-socialism-manipulating.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psychological Socialism: Manipulating through Equalizing Blame</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/cynicism-faith-turned-upside-down.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Abuse Leads to Cynicism</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/bonding-and-bondage-in-abusive.html">Bonding and Bondage in Abusive Relationships</a></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://www.dhs.state.or.us/caf/dv/desktools/couples_counseling_12_reaso.pdf"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 Reasons Why Couples Counseling Is Not Recommended When Domestic Violence Is Present</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><div style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thehotline.org/2013/07/finding-the-right-counselor-for-you/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Finding the Right Counselor for You</span></a></span></div>
</span></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/images/wpe6.jpg"><b><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Power and Control Wheel</span></span></b></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.abuseandrelationships.org/Content/Survivors/trauma_bonding.html"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Trauma Bonding</span></span></span></a></b></span></li>
<li><b><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/gaslighting-definition-techniques-and-being-gaslighted/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Gaslighting Technique</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=191651"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men</span></b></a> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">book by Lundy Bancroft which you may find at your public library. This is a wealth of information.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/verbally-relationship-expanded-third-edition-recognize/patricia-evans/9781440510106" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond</span></b></a> by Patricia Evans</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>How Christians & Churches Can </u></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Help Abuse Victims,</u></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Promote Mutual Respect,</u></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>and Empower Women</u></span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</span></b></a></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-little-women-cbe17.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No Little Women (Poem from CBE17)</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/03/international-womens-day-2017-what-do.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">International Women's Day: What Do You Stand For?</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/07/guest-post-by-susan-moore-top-20-very.html">Top 20 Very Best Things to Say to Someone Who is Struggling (Guest Post by Susan Moore)</a> </span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/war-room-hope-or-hype.html">War Room: Hope or Hype?</a></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-thoughts-on-sexualization-of-church.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Thoughts on the Sexualization of the Church</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/02/nagmeh-abedini-and-responding-to.html">Naghmeh Abedini and Responding to Marital Abuse</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html">If You Expect Real Respect...</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/01/abuse-thrives-in-culture-of-shame-and.html">Abuse Thrives in a Culture of Shame and Silence</a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://giveherwings.com/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Give Her Wings</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- this organization helps DV victims financially, and Megan Cox wrote a great</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/megan-d-cox/give-her-wings-help-healing-after-abuse/paperback/product-21886493.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">book</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/biblical-practical-resources-counteract-domestic-violence/catherine-kroeger/9780830838387/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>No Place for Abuse: Biblical & Practical Resources to Counteract Domestic Violence</b></span></a> - book by Catherine Clark Kroger and Nancy Nason Clark</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.domesticviolenceexpert.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Domestic Violence Expert Julie Owens</span></b></a> - training available</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.susanemoore.com/the-best-way-to-save-an-abuse-victim/"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Best Way to Save an Abuse Victim</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://juniaproject.com/why-decided-write-domestic-violence/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Why I Decided to Write About Domestic Violence</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/divorce-and-remarriage/confronting-domestic-violence-with-love-and-authority.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Confronting Domestic Violence with Love and Authority</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ccada.org/home.aspx" style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse</span></b></a></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.focusministries1.org/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Focus Ministries Domestic Violence</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.cbeinternational.org/advanced-search?search_api_views_fulltext=%22domestic+violence%22&field_author_title=&title=&type%5B%5D=blogs_custom&type%5B%5D=book&type%5B%5D=book_reviews&type%5B%5D=endorsement&type%5B%5D=event&type%5B%5D=article_mutuality&type%5B%5D=articles_priscilla&type%5B%5D=audio_resource&type%5B%5D=video_resource&type%5B%5D=articles_other&field_date=&field_date_1=&start_date=&end_date=" style="color: #888888;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Christians for Biblical Equality</span></a> </b><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">(domestic violence)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Dating Violence</u></span></b></div>
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<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/08/lynns-story-dangerous-engagement-dv.html"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lynn's Story: A Dangerous Engagement</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/to-young-woman-with-bruises.html">To the Young Woman with Bruises</a></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.loveisrespect.org/"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love is Respect</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.loveisrespect.org/dating-basics/dating-basics" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love is Respect: Dating Basics</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/teens/the-hidden-side-of-dating-abuse.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Hidden Side of Dating Abuse</span></span></a> (technology)</span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rainn.org/" style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network</span></span></a><b style="color: #b45f06;"> </b>(RAINN)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Domestic or Sexual Violence and Children</u></span></b></div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2010/02/child-discipline-or-child-abuse.html">Child Discipline or Child Abuse?</a></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/domviolence/impact/children-youth/"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Youth</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nctsn.org/content/children-and-domestic-violence"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Children and Domestic Violence</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org/effect-on-children.html"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children</span></b></a></li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Central Florida Resources </u></span></b></div>
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<ul style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.safehouseofseminole.org/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Safe House of Seminole</span></a></b><span style="color: #38761d;">:</span><span style="color: #222222;"> A confidential shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children, includes counseling, practical support, legal help, etc. </span></span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.harborhousefl.com/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Harbor House (Orange County)</span></a></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">: Shelter for victims of domestic violence, includes counseling, practical support, legal help, etc. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.elizabethhouseinc.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Elizabeth House</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;">: Faith-based transitional home in Seminole County where victims and their children can stay for several months and receive supportive services.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.kidshouse.org/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Kids House of Seminole Children's Advocacy Center</span></a></b><span style="color: #222222;">: Help for families dealing with child abuse; friendly, non-threatening atmosphere; includes counseling, support, information on resources, referrals for substance abuse treatment, etc.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.hfuw.org/gethelp/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Heart of Florida United Way 211</b></span><span style="color: #222222;">:</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> Extensive database of human services available in central Florida, such as financial assistance, shelters, counseling, etc. You can also dial 211 to get this information and a listening ear over the phone. (Note: I am an employee in the 211 call center.)</span></span></li>
</ul>
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</div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-1129254547355937032018-06-06T20:07:00.002-04:002019-03-18T10:09:36.144-04:00The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnrBdYDfjaLVe1BdNC3pJb0LSZSCXcWZbvt8DLIYS-SyJqEZcZOfy8CpiDz5sxgyibHvAvAQtaD3lqGNRg0LmjkYDqqHQzYApV5JsasDUlPXzaiP7yvb90dHWgOQxpVwLFN2-n-jO4vg/s1600/Bern+cathedral+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="425" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnrBdYDfjaLVe1BdNC3pJb0LSZSCXcWZbvt8DLIYS-SyJqEZcZOfy8CpiDz5sxgyibHvAvAQtaD3lqGNRg0LmjkYDqqHQzYApV5JsasDUlPXzaiP7yvb90dHWgOQxpVwLFN2-n-jO4vg/s400/Bern+cathedral+%25288%2529.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Christian voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Christian woman's voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Christian woman's powerful voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What thoughts come to your mind?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you flinch? Wince? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe you heard an inner voice intone: "Women must be silent, quiet, demure, deferential... Don't rock the boat. Just don't. Better to say nothing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or maybe you heard, "Yes! It's about time! Rock on! Girl power!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or maybe you heard both. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Either way,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">you're </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ot alone.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am a Christian woman, learning to lift my voice. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In too many church communities, women's voices are silenced, to one extent or another. Sure, they can chatter among themselves about mothering, cooking, housework, home schooling, and other feminine matters. But anything weightier than that is a man's turf. The men will talk it over, make decisions, take care of all the hard things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But what if they don't care, or they botch it, or they abuse their position? Well, just hang tight and trust God until they get it right or get it at all. Speak up about it? No, a woman has no authority over a man, and speaking up is considered a challenge to his authority. A woman has no authority even over herself. A woman has no real choice, no real voice. She is just the passive recipient of whatever a man, or group of men, chooses for her. If she doesn't like it, tough luck, she's stuck! She can just pray about it. That's a reality for far too many Christian women in far too many churches and families. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(This seems even ludicrous to type, like it's a scene out of A Handmaid's Tale. But it's not.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But isn't that just the way God decreed it to be? Isn't that what the Bible says?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No. It isn't. No. It doesn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plus, we can evaluate truth by fruit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So let's look at the fruit of silencing women. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's rotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Rotten Fruit of Silencing Women</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sexual Predation and Domestic Violence</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a strong correlation between the culture of feminine silence and the prevalence of both sexual predation and domestic violence in religious communities. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Girls who grow up feeling like they are in second place, that they must defer to men's authority (and even <i>boys'</i> authority just because they are male) and must give them what they demand -- they are ripe for manipulative grooming for sexual abuse. Women who are taught that the husband/boyfriend is the boss no matter what, and that they need to submit no matter what -- they are silenced with an angry glare, threatened into subordination with Bible verses twisted out of context, blamed for being rebellious. Can you fault them for being so hesitant to resist aggression and violence? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's just the start. What do they do then? Ask the abuser nicely to stop? Yeah, right. Ask for help at church? Often not much better. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The victim is shamed not only by her abuser, but again by her spiritual leaders when she pleads for help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the rape victim: "How did you seduce him? What were you wearing? Don't you know that sex outside of marriage is a sin? You must forgive! And be quiet! Don't jump on that silly #MeToo bandwagon. Don't tarnish his reputation!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the domestic violence victim: "Go home, stay in the marriage, submit more, smile, be sweet, be sexy, try harder, pray, win him without a word. You must forgive! And above all, be quiet! Don't tarnish his reputation! Die to yourself. Die. It's OK. You'll be with Jesus." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't believe it's that bad? It is. Think I'm exaggerating? I'm not. I know this isn't even most churches, but still way too many. I frequently hear the stories of women being excommunicated from churches for divorcing an abusive husband. Take a look here for some examples compiled by my friend Natalie Hoffman: </span><a href="https://flyingfreenow.com/the-crazy-things-your-pastor-or-bible-counselor-told-you-to-do-in-your-abusive-relationship/" rel="bookmark" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: center; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Crazy Things Your Pastor or Bible Counselor Told You to Do In Your Abusive Relationship</b></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A Culture of Disrespect</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though so many churches claim that men and women are equal, setting up a hierarchy (whether in church or family or workplace) in which only one gender has the authority is a setup for disrespect. Does it sound like whining when I say that women need respect just as much as men do? I can hear the Internet trolls clicking away at their keyboards right now. There is so much unChristlike sexism in online "Christian" circles! But this is a real issue which needs real solutions. Women are not going to be silenced any longer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When womanhood is belittled from the pulpit and other religious venues in the name of God, even subtly, even in the guise of respect, how does that shape her image of God? Will she see the Lord of Glory as a sexist old man who doesn't value her much, and just made her to be an appendage to his real crown of creation, MAN? You may think I'm being sarcastic. I'm not. Not at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What does it do to a woman, made in the very image of God, to have her worth discounted by not only men, but by other women who want to keep her in her little feminine place? Why would other women do this? I'm sure there are many reasons. One reason might be that is this is the way they were taught. If they have to stay in their own places, they don't want another woman rocking the boat. Maybe they think if they associate with a "feminist" they will risk the wrath of God, because of guilt by association. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To many people, an <i>evangelical egalitarian</i> who believes in gender equality is the same thing as a raging leftist liberal feminist who wants to abort babies on every street corner. That is totally untrue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">People often prefer to jump to stereotypes instead of truly listening to the viewpoints of others, and seeking to understand. And it's way too easy to dismiss the viewpoints of a woman. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Case in point: </span><a href="https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2018/06/steve-camp-florida-sbc-pastor-sexist/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b>My Husband Has Something to Say to Those Who Insult Women</b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Sheila and Keith Gregoire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cheating the Church</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">he Christian community loses out on some of the best and brightest ideas when women are too timid to speak up out of fear that they will threaten the fragile egos of the men around them. Or when they do try to share their opinions, they are quickly put back into their place and ignored. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So a capable missionary worries about how to present her ideas "in a gentle and quiet way" so her male colleagues won't be offended. There is nothing wrong with being gentle and quiet. But should a woman have to tiptoe around masculine feelings to communicate? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">An experienced author speaks in a church on a Sunday morning (gasp!) - but she must be seated and a man must interview her so it doesn't seem like she's preaching a sermon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A female seminary professor is fired solely because of her gender, and a prominent minister writes about how women shouldn't even be seminary professors because that puts them in authority over men. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many women don't even try to equip themselves for ministry because what's the point?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Unheeded Correction</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Women who seek to bring honest and necessary correction to churches or other Christian organizations are routinely and unfairly blamed and shamed for slander, gossip, bitterness, and usurping authority. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Woe be to them if they persist in talking, and even worse if they start a blog to report trends of spiritual abuse, especially if it is about gender. Witches! (And the other word that rhymes with that!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is so much more I could write about these bad fruits, but it would still only be a drop in a bucket compared to the foaming sea of misogynistic madness. I've read the stories over and over and over. It's depressing, revolting, infuriating. Let me know if you want an earful. Meanwhile, I will keep speaking out on these topics, as I have for so many years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But for now I want to focus on the positive, the possibilities of what could be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>There is power in a Christian woman's voice!</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Created to be an Ezer</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You were created in the image of God, who declared you to be an <i>ezer: </i>a strong and suitable helper to fulfill his purposes. This word, often used to describe the Lord coming to our aid, means strength and not weakness, the partnership of an equal match and not subservience. You are not spiritually or emotionally fragile just because you are a woman. You are <i>able </i>because God is with you, and the Holy Spirit fills and empowers you. This truth is a firm foundation for finding your voice. What you think becomes what you speak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Your Voice is a Blessing</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God gave you your voice to proclaim goodness, gospel, truth, compassion, life, growth, healing, justice, peace - so you can use it to bless your own life, your family, your friends, the wider community, the world. Why should that threaten a man? </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You aren't his rival. Becoming excellent is not competing. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If that's what he thinks, that's his problem! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Bold and Confident for a Change</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You have every right to communicate boldly and confidently when you learn about something that isn't as it should be. You can be a mighty advocate, activist, reformer, and social justice warrior. You don't need a man "covering" you with his authority when you have the power of the Holy Spirit in you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>You Have a Choice and a Voice</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God gives you <i>agency</i>, the right to discern and determine your own path (within ethical parameters, of course, just like men). This seems so obvious, but I can't even begin to describe the contrary messages that girls in patriarchal homes receive. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don't need to silently let others plan your life for you.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With God's guidance, y</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ou get to choose what you want to do about relationships, education, career trajectory, ministry - and then navigate through the realities of pursuing, reassessing, and accomplishing your goals. You get to choose when to speak and when to be silent (and there is a time for that, for both males and females). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can say, "This is what I want to do. This is what I plan to do. This is what I'm preparing to do. This is what I'm doing." It's your God-given life, and you have the right to your God-given destiny. Speak it!</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speak It Into Action</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Your powerful voice c</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">an bring about powerful action. In many ways, we often speak into existence what we want to see happen. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is not a mystical name-it-claim-it deal to bring down miracles with magical thinking. This is real, this is practical, this is every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Using our voices, we state our intentions, spark interest, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">gather a tribe (to either cheer us on or cooperatively work with us),</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> collaborate around ideas and solutions, and then get the job done with continued communication, motivation, inspiration, and feedback. Your voice is needed all along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Healing the Church</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you are a believer in Jesus, you are a vital part of Christ's body on earth, which is the church. That church is hurting badly right now because of faulty attitudes about women and the scandals which have resulted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The church needs your powerful voice to help tend the wounds, speak life, strengthen the vulnerable, change the rhetoric, teach truth, bring correction where you see misconceptions, confront misogyny, advocate for the abused, light imaginations on fire, draw others into authentic worship (of the God who made both men and women in his image), rally volunteers (men and women) to serve in practical ways, and reconstruct spiritual communities with a healthy paradigm of gender equality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can speak the whole truth in love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can do all of these things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You have a voice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You have a powerful voice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use it well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrM5HesZL9wYgVc-mcntcTpaxwqsNJxbKQ1Iu1GcHmU2-CUYPTqqLL1Xw8wxNQ7_wnDFy9VVigqihoiZ4YPmXvnsyPGuKdio9K9WMRUSZZAtz6LAz_vXYCmwEj9YzwRWppMz209aqVXE/s1600/silence-is-not-spiritual1supersmall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="640" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrM5HesZL9wYgVc-mcntcTpaxwqsNJxbKQ1Iu1GcHmU2-CUYPTqqLL1Xw8wxNQ7_wnDFy9VVigqihoiZ4YPmXvnsyPGuKdio9K9WMRUSZZAtz6LAz_vXYCmwEj9YzwRWppMz209aqVXE/s320/silence-is-not-spiritual1supersmall1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This essay has been percolating in my heart for a while, but after listening to </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.carolyncustisjames.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;">Carolyn Custis James</a></span> speak at <a href="http://j4leaders.org/" target="_blank">J4</a> (a gathering of Christian women who are leaders) in Orlando last night, I knew I had to sit down and write. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJmcKzPga1mM8bA1_AhhL3fZoXuIRf0xWxk6iZ1ARmq8YNT7XJPlLas8tXfjWPrxUg2dEchL1iV9kGY3QxFB9nRzqluqFTKLONsZd_VpOOdx9p9eUf1VskT34DgR_1gTZoIN0V1Wv_zg/s1600/Carolyn+Custis+James+and+Judy+Douglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="960" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJmcKzPga1mM8bA1_AhhL3fZoXuIRf0xWxk6iZ1ARmq8YNT7XJPlLas8tXfjWPrxUg2dEchL1iV9kGY3QxFB9nRzqluqFTKLONsZd_VpOOdx9p9eUf1VskT34DgR_1gTZoIN0V1Wv_zg/s320/Carolyn+Custis+James+and+Judy+Douglass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carolyn Custis James and Judy Douglass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carolyn shared the story of Ruth: the young, powerless, impoverished, Gentile, foreign, barren widow of a famine refugee, daughter-in-law of a despairing old woman. Instead of taking her cues from the patriarchal culture around her, where she had no voice, she found her identity in the Lord. With faith, loyalty, diligence, wisdom, strength, and courage she became a mighty woman of valor, a community </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">role model,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> an esteemed wife and mother, the great-grandmother of King David, and ancestor of Jesus. Like Ruth, we need to bring all we have, do all we can, not hiding what God has given us to share. We need to be active participants, not passive spectators. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Read more of what Carolyn says about Ruth and women's voices</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> here: </span><br />
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<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/04/26/buckle-up-buckaroo/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Buckle up Buckaroos!</a><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/04/24/men-say-the-darnedest-things-especially-about-women/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Men say the darnedest things . . . especially about women</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/03/26/the-metoo-stories-of-the-bible-we-tend-to-ignore/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The #MeToo Stories of the Bible We Tend to Ignore</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/03/17/and-aint-i-a-woman/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“And ain’t I a woman?”</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/03/05/voices-from-the-margins/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Voices from the Margins</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/01/25/why-john-piper-needs-help-from-female-seminary-professors/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Why John Piper Needs Help from Female Seminary Professors</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/01/16/pushing-for-lasting-change/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Pushing for Lasting Change!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2018/01/02/the-silence-breakers-a-kairos-moment-for-the-church/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Silence Breakers: A Kairos Moment for the Church</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can find Carolyn's books here:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<li><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/church-recapturing-gods-global-vision-women/carolyn-james/9780310522669/pd/522669?event=ESRCG"><span style="color: blue;">Half the Church: Recapturing God's Global Vision for Women</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=250145"><span style="color: blue;">When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference</span></a> (encouraging women to study theology)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=330851"><span style="color: blue;">The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/finding-the-margins-the-book-ruth/carolyn-james/9781683590804/pd/590800">Finding God in the Margins: The Book of Ruth</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>More links!</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Blog:</span></span></div>
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/01/abuse-thrives-in-culture-of-shame-and.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Abuse Thrives in a Culture of Shame and Silence </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-little-women-cbe17.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No Little Women (Poem from CBE17)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/03/international-womens-day-2017-what-do.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">International Women's Day: What Do You Stand For?</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/international-womens-day-2015.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Women's Voices Rising</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-bad-boy-and-angel.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bad Boy and the Angel</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/for-all-faithful-women-strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For All the Faithful Women (Strength in Hymn)</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/08/mutual-by-design-2017-christians-for.html">Mutual by Design 2017 Christians for Biblical Equality Conference</a> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /><b style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other Websites: </b></b></span><br />
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<li><a href="https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2018/06/steve-camp-florida-sbc-pastor-sexist/" target="_blank">My Husband Has Something to Say to Those Who Insult Women</a> by Sheila and Keith Gregoire</li>
<li><a href="https://loriannethompson.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lori Anne Thompson: Survivor, Storyteller</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://wartburgwatch.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wartburg Watch</span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/">Spiritual Sounding Board</a> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Julie Anne Smith</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.cbeinternational.org/">Christians for Biblical Equality</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://flyingfreenow.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Flying Free Now</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Natalie Hoffman - </span><a href="https://flyingfreenow.com/linking-arms-to-stop-the-emotional-and-spiritual-abuse-of-women-of-faith/" rel="bookmark" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: center; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Linking Arms to STOP the Emotional and Spiritual Abuse of Women of Faith</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://giveherwings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Give Her Wings</span></a> by Megan Cox about domestic violence - <a href="http://giveherwings.com/4415-2/"><span style="color: blue;">Why A Woman Does Not Speak About Abuse While in an Abusive Marriage</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.heresthejoy.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Here’s the Joy</span></a> by Rebecca Davis - <a href="http://www.heresthejoy.com/2018/06/making-sense-of-the-church-worlds-epidemic-of-abuse/"><span style="color: blue;">Making sense of the church world’s epidemic of abuse</span></a> and <a href="http://www.heresthejoy.com/2017/11/she-is-undiminished/"><span style="color: blue;">She is "Undiminished"</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lifetogetherinternational.org/lti-board/rev-patti-ricotta/"><span style="color: blue;">Patti Ricotta at Life Together International</span></a>, working to end FGM in Africa</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://margmowczko.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Marg Mowczko</span></a>,"exploring the Biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism”</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.awakedeborah.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Helga and Bob Edwards at Awake Deborah</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://timfall.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Tim Fall</span></a> (FB quote: “Patriarchy preachers say men and women are equal but different. The equal part is that they mean both men and women can get hurt. The different part is that when it happens to a man they do something about it and when it happens to a woman they don’t. This is because if a man hurts a woman the patriarchy preacher insists she has to make it right in order to show proper subordination to the man.”)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">TIME: <a href="http://bit.ly/2ljGTm1">Evangelical Women Just Joined #MeToo – And They’re Urging Churches To Address Abuse</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Washington Post: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/05/31/feature/the-epidemic-of-denial-about-sexual-abuse-in-the-evangelical-church/?utm_term=.6db5f4330c11"><span style="color: blue;">The Sin of Silence: The Epidemic of Denial about Sexual Abuse in the Evangelical Church</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Religion News: <a href="http://bit.ly/2lrXJhV">Female Evangelical Leaders Call on the Church to Speak Out on Violence Against Women</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christianity Today: <a href="http://bit.ly/2zNmlH1">W</a><a href="http://bit.ly/2zNmlH1">omen Speak Up in #SilenceIsNotSpiritual Campaign</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christianity Today: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/january-web-only/rachael-denhollander-larry-nassar-forgiveness-gospel.html"><span style="color: blue;">My Larry Nassar Testimony Went Viral. But There's More to the Gospel than Forgiveness</span></a> </span>by Rachael Denhollander</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Southern Baptist Church and Paige Patterson</u></b></span></span></div>
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<li><a href="https://brnow.org/News/June-2018-(1)/Woman-hushed-by-Patterson-comes-forward-tells-of" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Woman hushed by Patterson comes forward, tells of 8 more</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> by Seth Brown and Liz Tablazon at Biblical Recorder</span></li>
<li><a href="https://speakingthetruthofherheart.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/the-journey-begins/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Surviving SWBTS- Life As A Female Employee and Student In A Pattersonian Culture</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> at Speaking the Truth of Her Heart</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/us/27baptist.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Professor Says Seminary Dismissed Her Over Gender</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> about Dr. Sheri Klouda</span></li>
<li><a href="https://baptistnews.com/article/paige-patterson-womens-voices-and-the-gaping-hole-in-education/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Paige Patterson, women’s voices and the gaping hole in education</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> by Kyndall Rae Rothaus at Baptist News</span></li>
<li><a href="https://swbts.edu/news/releases/statement-kevin-ueckert-chairman-board-trustees/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Statement by Kevin Ueckert, Chairman of the Board of Trustees</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> on the disclosure that Paige Patterson had attempted to “break down” a rape victim so she wouldn’t speak out</span></li>
<li><a href="https://denajohnson.com/2018/05/29/on-the-church-and-divorce-thoughts-about-paige-paterson-and-the-sbc/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">On the Church and Divorce: Thoughts About Paige Patterson and the SBC</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> by Dena Johnson</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.heresthejoy.com/2018/05/a-letter-to-the-washington-post-revealing-abuse-at-an-sbc-seminary/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">A letter to the Washington Post revealing abuse at an SBC seminary</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> by Megan Cox on Rebecca Davis’s Here’s the Joy blog</span></li>
<li><a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2018/06/01/patterson-greear-hemphill-spiritual-authority-a-cautionary-word-to-new-leaders-in-the-sbc-guest-post-by-wade-burleson/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Patterson, Greear, Hemphill & Spiritual Authority – A Cautionary Word to New Leaders in the SBC – Guest Post by Wade Burleson</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> at Wartburg Watch</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's enough. Oh, that's too much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Speak up, my friends!</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-18314036247067890772018-03-31T20:15:00.003-04:002019-03-18T10:09:36.375-04:00Soul Musings from an Old Journal<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5G1RrYIBjrQa6vIJMTN5xqdXVmDEPLQ3nJcXxCh8PGXMfSq_XixQ3CczrdYUv8_y0e_CZioR87_VKCdeWxtYBmnvGn4lgWfQJToGoxKqb9PfcDQRvlWEZsIQt38zpGwhlEmx9ccwYWUw/s1600/Spider+web+with+dew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5G1RrYIBjrQa6vIJMTN5xqdXVmDEPLQ3nJcXxCh8PGXMfSq_XixQ3CczrdYUv8_y0e_CZioR87_VKCdeWxtYBmnvGn4lgWfQJToGoxKqb9PfcDQRvlWEZsIQt38zpGwhlEmx9ccwYWUw/s400/Spider+web+with+dew.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Truth</b></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Change</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Beauty</b></i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Questioning</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today is Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. I've been scurrying around getting ready for my adult children and my grandchildren to come over for dinner tomorrow, joining the ones who still live here. While I was tidying up the house, I could hear my heart telling me to slow down and tend to my spirit. So I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I retreated to the blue table in my bedroom -- where I do my best reading and writing -- and finished the last three chapters of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Booked-Literature-Karen-Swallow-Prior/dp/0692014543/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me</span></b></a> by Karen Swallow Prior. I could feel my own soul move at the words in her memoir; I'm glad I took the time to read and reflect</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. I still had stuff to do, though, so I got up and went back to cleaning and checking on food supplies. Where <i>did</i> I put those bags of frozen Alfredo fettuccine for our Italian buffet? But again, I felt that insistent inner tug to go back and settle my heart. I decided to pull out a journal and write, but first I picked up an old journal and read. I'm glad I did. It was like a buffet for the soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These lightly edited </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">excerpts of several journal entries are from a two year period quite a while back. I have interspersed them with recent photos from a foggy morning at a local pond.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(The first entry here was apparently prompted by something I had read on a home school blog about teaching children about God.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been questioning, and in some ways recoiling from, much of what I had built my life upon for 25 years. There is, of course, a necessary drawing back to evaluate. We must not accept anything blindly, no matter what it is. Truth is to be examined; the real thing is solid enough to hold up to scrutiny. And yet, I cannot put myself above truth. We must <i>submit</i> to truth, just as much as we can <i>stand </i>on it. It is not there for us to merely look at, but to live, because there is a moral force, God, who put it there for that purpose. To reject Truth (mentally) or to rebel against it (practically) is a choice - and a sin - against God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first question then, is not about teaching children, but about who God is. What is his nature? And after the nature of God, what of the nature of mankind? God is good. That is the fundamental essence of his character. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What helps me to hold onto faith are two things: seeing God as the Creator of a beautiful creation (including and especially mankind) and the life of Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Humanly thinking, I am touched by people who live and create artfully -- whether visual or written or musical or whatever -- to reflect spiritual depth and not just doctrinal exactness. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is beauty in the gospels, the poets, the clouds. Mirth and exuberance help, but so do solitude and reflection.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I find some sanity and sustenance for the soul. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thankful also for Bishop William Frey's book, <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/07/dance-of-hope-and-note-on-journaling.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Dance of Hope</span></b></a>, which helped me see through the creation lens, not just the fall and redemption. T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">here is dignity in being human - fearfully and wonderfully made - the crowning act of creation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just don't know how to reconcile all of what I know and experience in my heart and mind; so much seems paradoxical. I shouldn't feel bad about this, though. This is the full-time livelihood of countless theologians and philosophers. Who am I to master all of the mysteries all of a sudden? It is also very hard to wrap myself around how to integrate the ideals and theories into daily life. I love beauty, yet there is this messy house. I yearn for kindness and grace, but then I get angry with the stubbornness and thoughtlessness of others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started reading Chesterton's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Orthodoxy-G-Gilbert-Keith-Chesterton-ebook/dp/B00849F82E/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Orthodoxy</span></b></a> on Kindle today and find it witty and profound. I like his quotes on poets, mysticism, and sanity. Only the madman thinks in a tight, small circle. The truly reasonable one expands and thinks beyond, and can even embrace apparent contradictions. I think I see that in some people around me: the tendency to get stuck or fixated on a thought, so that every sensibility must fit in tidily with that or be rejected out of hand. Going in circles, circles, like on a British roundabout, when it is high time to exit to a side street, get on with life, and see the bigger world. A similar picture that comes to mind is of </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">oxen attached to a radial bar with no other place to go, trudging </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">r</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ound and round on the same rutted path,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> turning the cogs in bondage. But I am being a cynic here. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps the remedy for all our souls, if we are to bear breaking free of the endless circular trajectory, is the gentle question, "What if?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sometimes feel guilty for not being as devout, settled, and conservative as I used to be. I don't fit into the pious paradigm that I clung to for so long. I am trying to stay true, trying to remain in "the pale of orthodoxy" - but I am finding that circle being enlarged in my mind. I see real people, real stories, not statistics nor villains. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So many things sound so pious, especially when couched in self-effacing phrases. We still have to be Bereans, even if it means cutting through misguided piety into common sense and real reasoning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was reading from the book Studying Poetry. It might seem I have no good reason for that, that it is unessential, and this is probably true. But the point is to stimulate and stretch the brain to make it fit, not just to understand poetry, but to understand life. This is perhaps not unlike the connection between listening to classical music and boosting math skills, or working through algebra and finding it strengthen your deductive/logical skills for more general problem solving. I think the same is true of playing solitaire digitally rather than with paper cards. There is so much to be learned about life from the simple strategies. I can go back and try something a different way. I can shift and shuffle and predict. I can ask for a hint. I can follow a trail for a little while, go in reverse, try a different one, and then compare the profitability of each. I can take a guess. I can realize that the "logical" move immediately at hand may not be the one that wins the game, that I may need to wait for the counter-intuitive move. Sometimes I need to put a card up on the ace stack knowing I will pull it down again later. I see the relevance of this to life, that some things are not hard and fast, and you have to experiment and try things differently while still employing the basic strategies. Open the mind. Think it through. Try it out. Try it again. Quite philosophical, I say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish I could be a full-time contemplative -- without the daily distractions and demands of life -- and be free to travel, explore, experience. Yet it is as Luci Shaw reminds me in <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/breath-imagination-spirit-reflection-creativity-faith/luci-shaw/9780849929649/pd/929649?event=AFF&p=1136043&" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Breath for the Bones</span></b></a>: a great poet is "tied down to earth" and "exhibits an understanding of the daily concerns of common humanity." She notes that C.S. Lewis helped Mrs. Moore make jam and scrub floors. The poetry is made of daily life, which keeps it authentic and grounded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fragments of dreams from morning slumbers:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- a small blonde-haired child (not mine, but one who lived where I was visiting) up on my lap, looking at a book, answering questions about the pictures, comforted by my presence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- unexpected visitors, old friends not seen in ages, bringing bags of Chex Mix because I had nothing to offer by way of hospitality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- trying to throw away trash in a public dumpster, but underneath the top layer in my can were my dirty linens, which had somehow gone in with the trash and had to be fished out, while a new friend watched, understanding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Common dream theme here: acceptance and grace, even though I was an "other" - either a stranger or one who apparently fell short.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reading in Luke, I notice how simple Jesus is, so unlike the legalists and the celebrity preachers. What words he had for the Pharisees! But to folk like me: <i>Believe. Repent. Love God. Love others. Listen. Pray. Give. Forgive. Remember. Follow. Obey. Bless. Shine. Do to others what you would have them do to you. Serve. Watch. Rejoice. Stand firm. Show mercy. Understand. Worship. Go in peace. Share the good news. Welcome. Bring the kids.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Our little systems have their day,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They have their day and cease to be,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are but broken lights of Thee,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And Thou, O Lord, art more than they."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~ Tennyson</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I say that we are wound with mercy round and round -- as with air." Gerard Manley Hopkins</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It is better to avoid God, we reason, than to face his fury... We end up hiding from the one who longs to heal us." James Bryan Smith in Embracing the Love of God</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We care. He cures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wonder. Imagine. Savor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One entry near the end of this particular journal made me laugh with delight:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I am trying to envision the years to come. More education? A master's degree in Christian counseling? Asbury? Time is running short, though. I'm 50! I want to come into my own, not just tag along."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wrote that several years ago, but then put it out of my mind for the longest time. I forgot I even wrote that, though I remember a similar discussion with my late mother over a year earlier. I'm even older now, but</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I finally applied to Asbury Theological Seminary last month, and my interview for entrance into the counseling department is this Thursday. Amazing and amusing what I find when I read old journals! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I too old to start graduate level study of theology and counseling? I have been a Christian believer for nearly 42 years. As far as topics of study go, theology has always been my first love since I was a young teen. Close behind it has been humanity: how to love and understand and even guide others well. My beliefs (orthodoxy) and practices (orthopraxy) and emotions (orthopathy) have changed quite a bit as I have hopefully matured from an overzealous teen to a mellowed grandmother. My decades as a believer, though often so challenging, have served me well. I guess I'm not too old after all. I just needed the extra perspective.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Friends who have encouraged me on this journey toward seminary have also urged me to return to sharing my writing more. This blog post is one small attempt at that. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also just received, and look forward to reading, Vinita Hampton Wright's book </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Spiritual-Writing-Engages-Inspires/dp/0829439080/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Art of Spiritual Writing: How to Craft Prose That Engages and Inspires Your Readers</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-58444530032218774232018-03-25T18:33:00.002-04:002019-03-18T10:09:37.615-04:00Lift High the Cross (Strength in Hymn)<div class="chorus" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; padding-left: 0.4em; padding-right: 0.4em; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Till all the world adore His sacred Name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Led on their way by this triumphant sign,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The hosts of God in unity combine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Till all the world adore His sacred Name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each newborn servant of the Crucified</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bears on the brow the seal of Him Who died.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Till all the world adore His sacred Name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Till all the world adore His sacred Name.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So shall our song of triumph ever be:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise to the Crucified for victory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Till all the world adore His sacred Name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">This is my new favorite hymn. I'd sung it before, but heard it again recently at </span><a href="http://www.asburyumc.com/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Asbury United Methodist Church</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">. It has been ringing through my soul ever since. I find myself singing the chorus to myself day after day. Today, as we begin Holy Week for 2018, I thought it would make a good addition to my </span><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/p/strength-in-hymn.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Strength in Hymn</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/GbcBXYP4AlE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Youtube link</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you would like to know more about this old Anglican hymn, which was written for a missionary conference, you can read it here: </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-lift-high-the-cross" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">History of "Lift High the Cross"</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The heart of Christianity is Jesus - his eternity in the Divine Trinity before mankind, his birth on earth, his sacred life, his miracles, his teachings, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, his continued intercession for us at the right hand of the Father Almighty, his powerful work through us as his body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us lift his cross high, proclaim the love of Christ, and devote our lives to adoring his sacred name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Does this mean we retreat into religion and ignore what is happening out in the world? No! I believe that those who follow Jesus should be actively engaged in social justice such as combating the evils of <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/02/human-trafficking-community-conversation.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">human trafficking</span></b></a> and abortion, serving those who are <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/01/13-ways-to-help-people-who-are-homeless.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">homeless</span></b></a> or hungry, welcoming immigrants, advocating for <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/to-young-woman-with-bruises.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">abuse survivors</span></b></a>, caring for those who struggle with <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-clump-of-sadness-and-national-suicide.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">mental illness</span></b></a>, <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/03/international-womens-day-2017-what-do.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">empowering women around the globe</span></b></a>, and protecting schoolchildren from violence. We turn our faith into action. It is because we march in resurrection triumph that we can be bold for the sake of others. Jesus had compassion on the poor, the prostitutes, the foreigners, the women and children. So must we as those who proclaim not only his name but his justice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you would like to read more Strength in Hymn posts, here are several I like best, or you can look through my</span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/p/strength-in-hymn.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">index</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> to find your favorites.</span></span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/i-know-that-my-redeemer-lives-strength.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">I Know that My Redeemer Lives</span></a></li>
<li style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-great-thou-art-strength-in-hymn.html" style="text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">How Great Thou Art</span></span></a></li>
<li style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/11/abide-with-me-fast-falls-eventide.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Abide with Me, Fast Falls the Eventide</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/09/awake-my-soul-and-with-sun-strength-in.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/10/it-is-well-with-my-soul-strength-in-hymn.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">It Is Well with My Soul</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-throne-of-god-above-strength-in.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Before the Throne of God Above</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/11/let-us-love-and-sing-and-wonder.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/love-divine-all-loves-excelling.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Love Divine, All Loves Excelling</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/o-deep-deep-love-of-jesus-strength-in.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus</span></a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-friend-we-have-in-jesus-strength.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">What a Friend We Have in Jesus</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some of my posts related to Holy Week from past years:</span></div>
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<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/04/holy-week.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Holy Week</span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/04/holy-week-throne-room-of-grace.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Holy Week: The Throne Room of Grace</span></a></span></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/03/sainte-chapelle-nouvel-esprit-feed-your.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Sainte-Chapelle, Nouvel Esprit"</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/an-odd-palm-and-odd-parable-for-palm.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">An Odd Palm and an Odd Parable for Palm Sunday</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-of-christ-our-identity-in-christ.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Life of Christ, Our Identity in Christ, The Priesthood of All Believers, Submission and Humility</span></a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I photographed all of the artwork in this post in Paris and Geneva in October 2016, on a trip which was an amazing gift from God. I love cathedrals and art museums, and always gravitate to masterpieces which glorify Jesus. You can click the links to see other pieces from each site. From the top:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Statue</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/la-sainte-chapelle-glory-of-paris.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Le Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral in Paris</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Illuminated painting "</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Le Retable de saint Denis" by Henri Bellechoise from </span></span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-little-louvre-love-europe-16.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Louvre in Paris</span></a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Le Christ decloue de la croix" by Bourgogne at</span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-little-louvre-love-europe-16.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Louvre in Paris</span></a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Deploration du Christ Mort" by Ludovico De Donati at<b> </b></span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/musee-dart-et-dhistoire-in-geneve.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneve</b></span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Statue at </span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/12/basilique-de-sacre-cur-in-paris-europe.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Basilique de Sacré-Cœur in Paris</span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></b></span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Le Christ Bennissant" by Bernardino Luini at </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-little-louvre-love-europe-16.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Louvre in Paris</span></a></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lift high the cross!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-10641135569327060652018-03-13T10:56:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:09:36.050-04:00PTSD: Pain that Keeps on Giving While We Go on with Living <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday, I spontaneously posted the photo below on Facebook along with an analogy about PTSD. Despite the ugly photo, my words must have resonated, because as of this morning, it's been shared over 20 times, with many more likes and comments. That's not exactly viral by Internet standards, but I'm glad it's touched people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZoo-Q6xz8D5RmAMoh4nHEcoaP7a7CPZrMZ0tYWXPC85EJ610wf_Y3TBRnC4J9pRy6LPZApIiJmFZuYtFnmuf746tRaKrq6ZlhXf8T2q8j13P5vuRQFb0-zIRWUtKZZqYgUq7hUBjzfM/s1600/Hand+scar+photo+for+PTSD+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZoo-Q6xz8D5RmAMoh4nHEcoaP7a7CPZrMZ0tYWXPC85EJ610wf_Y3TBRnC4J9pRy6LPZApIiJmFZuYtFnmuf746tRaKrq6ZlhXf8T2q8j13P5vuRQFb0-zIRWUtKZZqYgUq7hUBjzfM/s320/Hand+scar+photo+for+PTSD+post.jpg" width="259" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">On scars, triggers, and PTSD: In college, I was washing a Muppets promo glass from McDonald’s (remember those?) when it shattered and sliced an outer tendon of my left thumb joint. My roomie, who hated the sight of blood, rushed me to the ER and bravely sat with me while the surgeon repaired the damage. My hand was in a brace for six weeks - which made it nearly impossible to write since I’m a lef</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: large;">tie. I had to take class notes with my right hand. Later, after the stitches came out, I had to do PT exercises to regain the use of my left hand.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So, I’m all healed up, right? Well, except for the circular scar. And the constant numbness which I’ve learned to mostly ignore. And... Today, 35 years later, I was cleaning the toilet and bumped that edge of my hand. I shrieked! I may or may not have let a mild epithet fly. You see, though I don’t often consciously think of my hand injury, it’s still there! And if it gets bumped hard, which happens at least once a year, it’s quite painful! My hand is still throbbing a half hour later!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It made me think of PTSD from emotional wounds. Some people think that if a traumatic incident happened a long time ago, and the time of crisis has passed, that it’s a done deal. It’s not. The person may not think of it as often or seem as deeply affected as more time goes on, but then what looks like a trivial trigger pops up and WHAM! Aaagh! I myself had an ugly cry just last night when a painful memory resurfaced. It took me a little while - and half a box of Kleenex - to find my calm again. And there is nothing wrong with that at all.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So folks, just think about that when you are talking to or about trauma survivors, OK? Don’t chide them for not being OVER IT already. Their pain might make you uncomfortable and you may not want to deal with it. You want them to stuff it so you can’t see it. But like my squeamish roommate, love sits with the wounded. Even when the trauma rears its ugly head weeks, months, years, or even decades later. Let them own their pain. Create space for them to grieve and re-heal. And learn to be gentle with yourself too.</span><br /><br /><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/metoo" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#metoo</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ptsd" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#PTSD</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/trauma" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#trauma</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/createspace" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#CreateSpace</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/empathy" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#empathy</a> </span></i></span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/innerhealing" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#innerhealing</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/tenderspots" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#tenderspots</a></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here are my followup thoughts to the original post:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is the pain that keeps on giving. I know it because I have lived it, though fortunately it does not still bother me that often or that intensely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do totally understand about moving on and releasing bitterness, not wallowing in negativity or being crippled by shame or anger or depression. This is not about <i>that</i>. It's about what happens when you are taking the necessary steps to recover your wholeness, but the pain keeps popping back up at unexpected times. It's about giving ourselves grace and not allowing this to suck us back into the dark vortex. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the painful memories resurface, this inner voice in our souls can whisper, <i>"You'll never be free. You may as well just give up. You are doomed to a life of mental torture and it will destroy your physical health, too." </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then we can, with practice and support and emerging courage, reply,<i> "The pain will come and I'll deal with it when it does, with the help of God and the knowledge I have received and the support of wise people who care. I have decided that my past won't stop me from building my healthy new future. That story was not the last chapter in my book, and I'm choosing a happier ending.</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And when that pain comes again and again and again, we don't take it as a verdict that we have failed in recovery. Instead, we deal with it, pick up our broken pieces, stick them back in place the best we can (gently!), and keep moving. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I know it's much more complex than </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that, but this is the simple mental picture I use when I'm in the middle of it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe our coping strategies aren't the optimal ones<i> yet</i>. Maybe they are hurting more than they are helping. We can assess that as we go along and make the necessary adjustments. We learn more and we seek help to do whatever it takes to move forward, treat the root causes, and not just mask the pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what resilience is all about. It's not that we won't face obstacles, because we always will - whether it is old ones or new ones. It's that we rise to meet these challenges as courageously as we can. We might be "quaking in our boots" but I reckon we can walk and quake at the same time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two poems from my heart:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /><b>"Pilgrimage and Jubilee" </b><br />by Virginia Knowles<br /><br />It’s been a long road<br />And I’ve traveled the valley of the shadow.<br />But I write as a free woman<br />Still with earthy bonds, yes<br />But able to rise above and go beyond.<br /><br />We are called to the dignity<br />Of the Image of God.<br />We are called to walk the path <br />Of peace and glory.<br />We are called to hear the holy echo:<br />"Proclaim liberty throughout the land!"<br />So let us rise, strong and free.<br /><br />Mine is the story of pilgrimage and jubilee.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>"Lift Up Your Head and Laugh"</b><br />by Virginia Knowles<br /><br />“Lift up your head and laugh!”<br />He spoke as a prophet.<br />But what did he know those thirty odd years ago?<br />What did he know of my future?<br />I was still so young then<br />With only a taste of raw and broken<br />And visions of a whole life open before me<br />Certainly not knowing quite what to expect<br />But with dreams and plans nonetheless:<br />Happily ever after with maybe <br />A few little bumps along the way…<br />Why not? And why not laugh?<br />Life could be, would be, one grand adventure.<br /><br />It’s been a rather curious life indeed<br />This grand adventure of mine.<br />Now I shake my head and laugh<br />At myself, at how I clung to so much<br />That prickled and burned and then gave way.<br />Yet mysteries and marvels<br />Came to me when least expected<br />Laughter mixed with tears and sighs<br />And more than a few bumps along the way<br />So much good and so much grief mingled in<br />So much for dreams and plans!<br />A worthwhile journey still,<br />Just not how I thought it would be.<br /><br />It’s not just me, I know<br />I watch the world walking by<br />And I try to understand, wonder<br />Where it is going: out and about<br />And home again, home again<br />A million silent stories walking by<br />A million mingling stories of mourning and mirth.<br /><br />I have lived long and learned much<br />And I find myself speaking to the young ones<br />With their whole lives open before them<br />The words of the timeless sage <br />Thirty hundred years ago:<br />“There is a time for everything…<br />A time to weep and a time to laugh.”<br />They have seen me weep, and I will weep again.<br />But for now, I will lift up my head and laugh.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've written a lot more encouragement, trauma-related information, and poetry on three of my blogs. Here are the links I think will fill a need to those reading today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Inspirational posts from my blog <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">This Mom Grows Up</span></b></a>:</span><br />
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<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/11/resilience-big-words.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Resilience</span></a></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/09/treasures-in-jars-of-clay.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Treasures in Jars of Clay</span></a></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/08/stones-of-hope-and-joy.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Stones of Hope and Joy</span></a></span></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/when-life-is-not-bowl-of-cherries.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">When Life is Not a Bowl of Cherries</span></a></span></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/05/knowing-that-she-hath-wings.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Knowing That She Hath Wings</span></a></span></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/01/kaleidoscope-big-words.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Kaleidoscope</span></a></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/10/melancholy.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Melancholy</span></a></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/08/hidden-treasures-from-dark-places.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Hidden Treasures from Dark Places</span></a></span></span></b></span></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Posts related to trauma from <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Watch the Shepherd</span></b></a>:</span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"></b><br />
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<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/07/guest-post-by-susan-moore-top-20-very.html">Guest Post by Susan Moore: Top 20 Very Best Things to Say to Someone Who is Struggling</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-clump-of-sadness-and-national-suicide.html">A Clump of Sadness :: Suicide Prevention Week</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/moving-on-from-broken-my-church-and.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Moving on from Broken - My Church and Life Transition Story</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/kyrie-eleison-strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Kyrie Eleison (Strength in Hymn)</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/03/five-things-home-school-moms-should.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Five Things Home School Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/cynicism-faith-turned-upside-down.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">When Abuse Leads to Cynicism</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/02/maras-story-anger-after-abuse-dv-story-4.html">Mara's Story: Anger After Abuse</a></span></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Poems from my blog </span><a href="http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Virginia's Life, Such as It Is</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">:</span></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/09/pilgrimage-and-jubilee.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Pilgrimage and Jubilee</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/03/lift-up-your-head-and-laugh.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lift Up Your Head and Laugh</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline;">
<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/02/shimmer-and-shadow-poem-p52-photos-more.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Shimmer and Shadow</span></a></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-harp-in-willow-poem.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Harp in the Willow</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/09/your-kindness-gave-me-courage.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Your Kindness Gave Me Courage</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/07/disentangle-poem.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Disentangle</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/04/this-is-where-i-am-in-time.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">This is Where I Am in Time</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-i-have-seen-poem.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What I Have Seen</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/08/and-now-i-see-poem.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">And Now I See</span></a></span></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can I just say how much I appreciate those who have been so faithful to educate about trauma and PTSD? I am immensely grateful to the resources that survivors and their allies have online, in print materials, and in face-to-face support groups. We need to fully realize what is going on inside and how to best </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">care for those affected by trauma. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is my goal this spring and summer to research more about <i>wisely</i> caring for other people. I want to be one who help them move toward healing and fulfillment and success in life, just as I am trying to do in my own life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the books I plan to buy soon is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Suffering-Heart-God-Destroys-Restores/dp/1942572026/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores by Dr. Diane Langberg</b></span></a>. I'd love to hear what other resources you have found helpful. Please leave a comment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's about all for now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd love to hear your thoughts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shalom,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-27477644172913353272018-02-20T11:26:00.000-05:002019-03-18T10:09:36.636-04:00Human Trafficking: A Community Conversation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last night I attended a Community Conversation meeting on the topic of human trafficking in Central Florida.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dr. Joel Hunter, pastor emeritus of Northland Church and founder of <a href="http://www.crncfl.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Community Resource Network</span></b></a>, moderated the conversation. (Side note: As a former Northland member, I have known Joel since he and Becky came to Orlando 1985, but I</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> hadn't seen him in several years. What a delight to chat with him after the meeting! I have always said he has a heart of gold, and now more than ever.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Northland is now a megachurch of 20,000 and Joel was a spiritual adviser to President Obama. He "retired" last year to devote his time to rallying the community around such issues as homelessness, addiction, and trafficking. That takes humility and courage! The Community Conversation meetings are a part of his initiatives. Please take the time to read this article in Christianity Today: </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2017/august/joel-hunter-stepping-down-northland-senior-pastor-orlando.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Joel Hunter Is Done Pastoring His Orlando Megachurch</span></a>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The panel guests were Tomas Lares, founder of <a href="https://floridaabolitionist.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Florida Abolitionist</span></b></a>; Ron Stucker, director of the <a href="http://mbi-police.net/director/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation</span></b></a>; and Lisa Haba, <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-prosecutor-of-the-year-human-trafficking-20171113-story.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Assistant State Attorney</span></b></a> who specializes in prosecuting trafficking cases in Seminole County.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I took 8 pages of handwritten notes, scribbling as fast as I could to keep up with the torrent of information. Here is some of what I jotted down; I have attempted to synthesize and organize it, but it's a wild beast, so please forgive if it seems disjointed.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First, what is human trafficking? I looked up the definition this morning.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Trafficking means recruiting, abducting, facilitating, transferring, harboring, or transporting a person, by threat or use of force, coercion, fraud or deception or by the purchase, sale, trade, transfer or receipt of a person, for the purpose of subjecting that person to involuntary servitude, peonage, slavery, slave-like practices, sex trafficking, or forced or bonded labor services. (Source: <a href="http://www./"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">www.</span></b></a></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://gohttf.org/"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">gohttf.org</span></b></a>)</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joel gave one real life example of human trafficking which hits <i>way too close to home</i> since I personally know the family. This past weekend, an 11 year old girl was lured online (via playing Minecraft) to leave her home in the middle of Saturday night to meet up with someone she thought was a female. Due to quick work by the FBI, she was located on Sunday in another state in a hotel room with a male perpetrator. We are </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">so</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> thankful for her safe return to her family but I am sure she is quite traumatized by the experience. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are some other examples of human trafficking victims?</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">any child/teen prostitute, regardless if she/he is doing it "willingly"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a prostitute who is being forced to work by a pimp</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a migrant worker who is debt-enslaved to their "employer" - they can't leave until they pay it off, but the debt keeps racking up, so they are trapped.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">an unpaid domestic worker (often foreign) who is enslaved in a home, even in an affluent neighborhood</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">an undocumented worker paid under the table and exploited using threats of exposure to ICE</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joel asked Tomas Lares, "Why don't more victims try to escape?" Tomas started with the word <i>victimology</i>. They don't feel like they deserve any better. They are psychologically powerless. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They have been raped, battered, threatened, and otherwise intimidated by the perpetrators. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They don't think they have a safe place to go. They may have no other means to support themselves or their children.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even if they do get away, they fear retribution against loved ones. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many have been sexually exploited hundreds or even thousands of times; they have been used and abused to the point that they perceive themselves as worthless and hopeless.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many have Stockholm Syndrome, which makes them sympathetic to those who are abusing them. Many have been numbed by (and become addicted to) drugs and alcohol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What can we do? We can start by using our power wisely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have power - and you DO have power - how will you choose to use it? Will you </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">EXPLOIT</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> others, </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">AVOID</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> getting involved, or </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ADVOCATE</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> for the vulnerable? Lisa Haba noted that we tend to avoid vulnerable people because we are afraid or because it is inconvenient. This only enables perpetrators who keep committing their crimes, because they think no one will bother to prevent them. Instead, we need to be like the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help the wounded Jew on the road to Jericho.</span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> You can make a huge difference if you</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">change your mindset!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ending <i>sex trafficking</i> requires a multi-faceted approach. Many of these strategies also apply to other forms of trafficking. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eliminate the supply of victims.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Empower and educate potential victims to prevent them from falling under the power of perpetrators. Many prostitutes were vulnerable to trafficking because they had been sexually abused during childhood, or they were teen runaways, or they were domestic violence victims. They have extremely low self-esteem. They feel worthless. They may be addicted to drugs or alcohol. They don't have education or job options. They might be lured into trafficking by the promise of a modeling career. Young people need to be warned about trafficking so they won't be deceived by perps. And they also need a clear path to healthy living. Mentoring can be a huge help with this. (Side note: One of my daughters, who has a masters in counseling, works as a school-based therapist in a country school system. One of her goals is to create resiliency programs for teenage girls.)</span></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Protect the victims.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Officers will first attempt to physically separate a victim from the perpetrator, who is either the pimp (someone who is selling the prostitute for profit) or the john (the "customer"). If the situation is not clear, but there are other valid charges such as drug possession or probation violation, they can jail a suspect immediately to create extra safety for the victim. The officers must build a sense of trust with the coerced prostitute, who may not yet acknowledge that she is a trafficking victim rather than a criminal. Building trust is a challenge since pimps often threaten their "girls" that they will be arrested for prostitution or drug charges if they ask law enforcement for help. Child victims will be referred to DCF for on-going care. Adult victims may be placed in a secure shelter and offered counseling, addiction treatment, and job skills. (We need more of these shelters and services!) For immediate assistance, they may be given a backpack with basic supplies. <i>The key is to not criminalize the victim, but to give her a sense of value and dignity, and then practically equip her to take a different path.</i></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Refer victims to qualified care for counseling and protection.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">Do not attempt this by yourself! This is extremely complicated, and you will do a disservice to the victim. It can also be really dangerous to bring a trafficking victim into your home due to mental health, addiction, or retribution by perpetrators. Don't give them cash, because it could end up in the pocket of the pimp instead. Instead, c</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">all law enforcement for help, and they can arrange a referral to competent and comprehensive care. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eliminate the demand.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Enforce stiff penalties for both johns and pimps. Allow victims to sue perpetrators with civil law suits. </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Change the cultural conscience so that no one will even want to exploit others.</i><span style="font-size: large;"> Expand the availability of sexual violence awareness classes for offenders. Block the gateway of pornography, which becomes addictive, rewires the brain, and demands more of a "thrill" to satisfy desire; if a magazine photo or online video isn't enough, a real life girl might do the trick. This is heinous. Pornography must go! You can find a lot of information here: </span><a href="https://fightthenewdrug.org/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Fight the New Drug</span></b></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Educate the public about the signs of trafficking.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Everyone should be aware of this, but special efforts are underway to train hotel clerks and maids, medical personnel, teachers, transportation workers, bartenders, etc. The woman who sat next to me has worked for Marriott in this area, and says they are making huge efforts to equip their employees to spot trafficking situations. An ER nurse called authorities after a prostitute was brought in with a bull-whip slash on her face. An airline clerk stopped two teenage girls who were trying to check in without proper identification, flying to another state on what turned out to be a one way ticket. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Truckers Against Trafficking</span></b></a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">is training truckers to be vigilant to red flags of trafficking at truck stop; they also have training videos right on their web site. </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I</b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>f you see something, say something!</b> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you notice someone you think might be vulnerable and in trouble, <b>CALL 911 ASAP</b>. Let law enforcement assess and investigate. The sooner they can do this, the more likely they are to be able to rescue a victim and prosecute the perpetrator. You don't need to figure it out first; go with your enlightened intuition. You can often sense if a situation seems "off" - such as an older man traveling with a young girl, with no apparent family relationship, and she seems afraid or unkempt... What are some red flags of possible trafficking? Read the list here: <a href="https://humantraffickinghotline.org/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Recognizing the Signs</span></b></a>. I repeat: </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">If you see something, say something. You could save a life.</i></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Penalize businesses which enable trafficking.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> These include hotels/motels that knowingly allow prostitution, tattoo parlors, massage parlors, bars, Backpage and Craigslist web sites. Joel gave one example of a young girl who was being trafficked by her own mother at a local motel. At age 11, she asked a friendly looking new employee for help. The woman walked away, not wanting to get involved. The girl was trafficked for another several years. Many of these workers are afraid of being fired. We need to enact mandated reporting, with legal protection for employees who, in good faith, report suspicious behavior.<b> </b></span></span><b> </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Florida House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is voting on HB 167 tomorrow morning (Wednesday, February 21, 2018). This bill would, along with Senate Bill 1044, allow victims to sue these businesses which enable the crimes! Please call your legislator and demand that these bills be passed! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pennsylvania and Texas already have similar laws on the books. The other 48 states need to get with it!</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Get involved in community anti-trafficking initiatives.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> In our area, we have the </span><a href="http://gohttf.org/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force</span></b></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;">Shared Hope International<span id="goog_2055720425"></span></a><b style="color: #0b5394;"> </b>was also mentioned in the meeting. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As Tomas Lares said, <i>"Collaboration is the beginning of something wonderful we can build together."</i></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Support and extend the #metoo movement.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Right now we have such wide public awareness about sexual abuse and harassment. Now is the time to expand that awareness to the issue of human trafficking. We are at a tipping point, a watershed moment. Let's push this through while the light shines bright. Let's fight against </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">compassion fatigue</i><span style="font-size: large;"> and issue saturation, so we don't lose interest and give up before the problem is solved. Keep it in the news.</span><b style="font-size: x-large;"> NO MORE! NOT ON OUR WATCH!</b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What about other forms of trafficking?</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Undocumented workers who are being trafficked often fear they will be jailed, deported, or separated from their children if they report abuse. They are now eligible for two specialty visas with a path to citizenship. The T Visa is for people brought into the USA by traffickers. The U Visa is for people who came on their own, but were later trafficked; the stipulation here is that they most cooperate with authorities to expose and prosecute the traffickers.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be aware that some products you buy, such as chocolate and fish, have been harvested by slaves in other countries. Here is one article</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.ap.org/explore/seafood-from-slaves/ap-investigation-slaves-may-have-caught-the-fish-you-bought.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">AP Investigation: Slaves may have caught the fish you bought</span></b></a>. Awareness, boycotting, and legal action are strategies to combat this.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For a more global focus, check out the work of the <a href="https://www.ijm.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">International Justice Mission</span></b></a>.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know this is a lot of information to process. Please take the time to think through this thoroughly, and decide how you will take action in the fight against human trafficking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On a personal note: I have been seeking God's wisdom on my own future. As I write this, I am in the middle of applying to <a href="https://asburyseminary.edu/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Asbury Theological Seminary</span></b></a> (Orlando campus) for a masters degree, probably in chaplaincy or pastoral counseling. For a regular job, I plan to work with the elderly and hospice/hospital patients and their families. However, my hope is that I will be equipped to also extend basic frontline ministry (comfort, encouragement, referrals to more comprehensive care) to women in the community who are at risk from </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">domestic violence, homelessness, sex trafficking, and faith crises related to spiritual abuse. Please pray for me as I take each step by faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Godspeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have other blog posts about human trafficking and related issues:</span></div>
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-part-3.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Identifying Child Trafficking Victims</span></a></li>
<li><b style="line-height: 30.888px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/01/27-million-slaves-today.html" style="line-height: 30.888px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">27 Million Slaves Today</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/06/turtle-fellow-woman-poem-by-abigail.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Turtle (Fellow) (Wo)Man, a Poem by Abigail Munday</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-5-justice-by.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Justice by Heart</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/03/international-womens-day-2017-what-do.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">International Women's Day 2017: What Do You Stand For?</span></a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-little-women-cbe17.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No Little Women (CBE17)</span></a></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-72891984794662707642017-08-01T22:30:00.000-04:002020-03-13T13:45:28.397-04:00Mutual by Design 2017 Christians for Biblical Equality Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO-Oh1U_WAp680-1SOx4czt9sHDuOYhhid78K0ANVmC8klnsHkC26nSc39OqWy0ZkoqcEifn3INQxzrQ3yxTwfJ9PsJ8yRp1dYPI-38lYrrEPaBtJzEfHAryN0fmO7WNRrE3jXygFXGU/s1600/CBE+conference+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO-Oh1U_WAp680-1SOx4czt9sHDuOYhhid78K0ANVmC8klnsHkC26nSc39OqWy0ZkoqcEifn3INQxzrQ3yxTwfJ9PsJ8yRp1dYPI-38lYrrEPaBtJzEfHAryN0fmO7WNRrE3jXygFXGU/s640/CBE+conference+banner.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixipkSOiKiJVwMWc1HEGT1sqYUuEZScaDOHATad7oOl4GBY66uZb7yl3zepZtqkqQ78BaNejTVfBIqzgNMRsClMbcw0hbNnx-_wzSpoJzcw8CavdE6O1tP9n5ndKLlkYQzfYmXP96b34E/s1600/CBE+conference+sign.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1" data-original-width="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixipkSOiKiJVwMWc1HEGT1sqYUuEZScaDOHATad7oOl4GBY66uZb7yl3zepZtqkqQ78BaNejTVfBIqzgNMRsClMbcw0hbNnx-_wzSpoJzcw8CavdE6O1tP9n5ndKLlkYQzfYmXP96b34E/s1600/CBE+conference+sign.gif" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two weeks ago, my longtime fellow blogger and FB friend Julie Anne Smith noted on her FB page that she would be in Orlando for a conference. She wanted to know if anyone would like to meet up there, which for me is "here" since I live just north of Orlando.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I jumped at the chance to meet her in person, as she lives on the opposite end of the country - not much farther you can get from Florida than Washington State, unless we're talking Alaska. And I was intrigued by what conference she was attending.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC_YnTKJxVe04jvmDYfZXFyrKZRFaXcCBIhtvpmDQR2asgA7wUqY9_BINR_cRXB_i3sG4IG0Xo5jEWeX8e-GjHiAGTXq3MGKF9gsPPE_6k5GU2mZ3hbQDaxsayacXR9xRTLuJN3SCm9w/s1600/Virginia+and+Julie+Anne+at+CBE2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC_YnTKJxVe04jvmDYfZXFyrKZRFaXcCBIhtvpmDQR2asgA7wUqY9_BINR_cRXB_i3sG4IG0Xo5jEWeX8e-GjHiAGTXq3MGKF9gsPPE_6k5GU2mZ3hbQDaxsayacXR9xRTLuJN3SCm9w/s320/Virginia+and+Julie+Anne+at+CBE2017.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Julie Anne Smith<br /><a href="http://www.spiritualsoundingboard.com/">www.spiritualsoundingboard.com</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It turned out to be Mutual by Design, the 2017 international conference of <a href="https://www.cbeinternational.org/" target="_blank"><b>Christians for Biblical Equality</b></a>. The funny thing is, I had just been on the CBE web site a few days before that to look for book recommendations and hadn't even noticed the conference information! I got to thinking how much I would enjoy attending - and fortunately for me, another kind FB friend (whom I also had not met in person) worked out the details for me to go to the conference and to stay at the hotel for the weekend. She was also responsible for several other women being able to attend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All of this was on very short notice. I found out about the conference on Tuesday, and it started on Friday morning! And I went out to dinner with some of the ladies when they arrived in town on Wednesday!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TTQPXb-jsvocFxrNjKaOSJ_VlrNrIMyAxNY_nXKSX9ELm2OX3qCBGMhxN0lkStGyYbhuBXdjhoGmruDXB33M85PG4E65aXLDCUHAtbArttfffJ2FvtJDLHQ6x9NX0ULplp4gV6pmTNI/s1600/CBE+ladies+at+Sweet+Tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="960" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TTQPXb-jsvocFxrNjKaOSJ_VlrNrIMyAxNY_nXKSX9ELm2OX3qCBGMhxN0lkStGyYbhuBXdjhoGmruDXB33M85PG4E65aXLDCUHAtbArttfffJ2FvtJDLHQ6x9NX0ULplp4gV6pmTNI/s400/CBE+ladies+at+Sweet+Tomatoes.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dinner at Sweet Tomatoes two days before <br />the conference with some of the CBE attendees: <br />Lindon, Tega, Mabel, Reagan, Tega's <br />daughter (I don't know her name!), and Gwen</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am super grateful that I went. I have been learning about Christian egalitarian theology in recent years, and see it as so refreshing as compared to the patriarchal/complementarian theology to which I had been heavily exposed in some of our former churches and in certain edges of the home schooling movement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Egalitarians believe that men and women are truly equal. Not identical. There are obvious differences. But they are equal. No hierarchy. No superiority. No gender rank pulling nor rigid gender roles in the family, the church, or the work place. No "Woman, SUBMIT!" They certainly believe in submission in marriage! But it is <i>mutual</i> submission, <i>mutual </i>leadership, <i>mutual </i>serving<i>,</i> <i>mutual </i>respect, and <i>mutual </i>love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see the beauty of that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see the promise in that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see the fruit borne by it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see the power of the gospel at work in it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjgmvpAkh3rpn0padiMnU8bMIFdDhQdZwWwwiPulmKMCeSQ6QKsIxg0zPiJzKzLKpzL6c1iPflwh-EBI0q0JIrfqwpaj1TCJl3YEXwLMtlmmZOqak_zEZKzzYb9iFFlVSrNk7BY4qAro/s1600/CBE+tote+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjgmvpAkh3rpn0padiMnU8bMIFdDhQdZwWwwiPulmKMCeSQ6QKsIxg0zPiJzKzLKpzL6c1iPflwh-EBI0q0JIrfqwpaj1TCJl3YEXwLMtlmmZOqak_zEZKzzYb9iFFlVSrNk7BY4qAro/s400/CBE+tote+bag.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many complementarians claim that egalitarians don't take the Bible seriously. What struck me was how seriously they actually did treat Scripture at this conference. These are serious students of the Word. Many of them are professors in seminaries and Christian universities, with doctorates and decades of faithful teaching and/or pastoral work to their names. They carefully parsed the Greek and Hebrew. They researched the ancient cultures within which the Bible was penned, including the Greco-Roman household codes.They have shown how Scriptural principles can be universally applie</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">d in each c</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ulture and time period, even if the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">details of how they are carried out necessarily differ by time and place. And, as Dr. Ronald Pierce explained, they teach what they do "in light of Scripture, not in spite of Scripture."</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08jwLoDGeYfRmb4uH4AbM4AtHHu58_AzDDxWRJeqPWkU44PpwVQZreau2WhJiE2qH4fFd4B_CxkYiZRKfbf7PXiY9C84BtcUUK6GNzzF5moPHIAlZfvpHuUI_kpc9_ViIJ9Idqti8hes/s1600/Dr.+Ronald+Pierce+at+CBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08jwLoDGeYfRmb4uH4AbM4AtHHu58_AzDDxWRJeqPWkU44PpwVQZreau2WhJiE2qH4fFd4B_CxkYiZRKfbf7PXiY9C84BtcUUK6GNzzF5moPHIAlZfvpHuUI_kpc9_ViIJ9Idqti8hes/s400/Dr.+Ronald+Pierce+at+CBE.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dr. Ronald Pierce,<br />professor, author, speaker</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The people I met were kind, caring, curious, and passionate. At times I felt out of my league when I heard what each one had been doing for God's Kingdom, but they were so humble and approachable that I still felt right at home. Never mind that I am a home schooling mother of ten who has been "at home" in my house for over 30 years, and who emerged from what I call </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">deep patriarchy</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God bless the work of CBE, and God bless the women and men there who are rising up to serve with liberty and justice and compassion among the heartbreaking crises in this world.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs7p8fnuAPNZbbQc37OkMgJnNX2gfcSFOFgHBJ-sIl-IzLeknPhAHvcnK1frAOGEUgM2g5oOY7Igace6lIvxxwy8v3PbFYhLVAa3YL-Jnuv4PAFLLvBbmUIu1y2MDzegk3Lipk-5GGQs/s1600/Virginia+with+Dr.+Mimi+Haddad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs7p8fnuAPNZbbQc37OkMgJnNX2gfcSFOFgHBJ-sIl-IzLeknPhAHvcnK1frAOGEUgM2g5oOY7Igace6lIvxxwy8v3PbFYhLVAa3YL-Jnuv4PAFLLvBbmUIu1y2MDzegk3Lipk-5GGQs/s400/Virginia+with+Dr.+Mimi+Haddad.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dr. Mimi Haddad,<br />President of CBE</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lU4e5Ha69xgIVTx0xABVlAEv0ELFSf0_wz7LZVuxHcnHzAfnw9ZVLf-pW_rc8scK9XUMJ5sbyUsNj3Kk4PnvXwnpB0QXAiTnn7TwSbvXtO5i_xBTdU_MC_ovYWhYRpDIj75C9mHdVso/s1600/Virginia+with+Mary+G+of+CBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lU4e5Ha69xgIVTx0xABVlAEv0ELFSf0_wz7LZVuxHcnHzAfnw9ZVLf-pW_rc8scK9XUMJ5sbyUsNj3Kk4PnvXwnpB0QXAiTnn7TwSbvXtO5i_xBTdU_MC_ovYWhYRpDIj75C9mHdVso/s400/Virginia+with+Mary+G+of+CBE.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mary Gonsior,<br />who works for CBE</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll be writing more on the conference as time allows. I already posted a poem that I wrote there: <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-little-women-cbe17.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>No Little Women</b></span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Now I'm dreaming of the 2018 conference in Helsinki, Finland. Not much of a chance I'll get there, but who knows?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Edit to add: As an indirect result of attending this CBE conference, I am in the middle of my Master of Arts in Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. I walked right by their booth at the conference because seminary wasn't on my radar at the time. It was a long domino effect after that, but here I am, loving every minute!</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-37275359424597855332017-07-22T07:22:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:09:36.946-04:00No Little Women (CBE17)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6doEsKOP7l1xvbnn3DJy7PK7Lijb_4TFder4P38YVvELDw5YTnVicEnQLbp6QTgBVkkiYVeB7Rx0OpdJfxPyOKQpG2EFZBqkv4uJGRpBUcLFH0_l4Nq9wyohAXb2Hw6DjP8NNCrZieeo/s1600/Liberty-Enlightening-the-World2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6doEsKOP7l1xvbnn3DJy7PK7Lijb_4TFder4P38YVvELDw5YTnVicEnQLbp6QTgBVkkiYVeB7Rx0OpdJfxPyOKQpG2EFZBqkv4uJGRpBUcLFH0_l4Nq9wyohAXb2Hw6DjP8NNCrZieeo/s640/Liberty-Enlightening-the-World2.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"No Little Women"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the beauty of the Kingdom</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There shall be no little women:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shrinking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shriveled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Silenced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shamed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subservient</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No, never!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lo and behold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sisters and brothers together</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In mutual love and honor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lift their lights high</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Raise their voices strong and clear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Boldly proclaiming</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peace, joy, liberty, mercy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Healing, justice in Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Together, strong and free</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the glory of the gospel of grace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No little women and no little men.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"May your Kingdom come</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May your will be done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On earth as it is in Heaven."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~ I wrote and posted this poem from my phone while attending Mutual by Design, the 2017 international conference of Christians for Biblical Equality. I'll be writing more about the conference and some recommended resources this month as I have time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~ I'm obviously not talking about physical height here. I'm talking about the tendency of many in the church to see women as "less than" men - and oh, "bless their little hearts!" We all talk about equality, but then women are still treated with condescension.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~ But speaking of physical height, here are two women from the conference. Julie Anne, on the right, is a watchdog blogger at <a href="http://www.spiritualsoundingboard.com/">www.spiritualsoundingboard.com</a>. We've been in touch for several years about issues in the home schooling movement and patriarchal churches. I really appreciate the sacrificial work she does. Diane, on the left, was a nun for about 20 years and then was ordained as a Catholic priest. I'm not sure how that works, but she says there are 250 women priests. Now in her 70's, she hosts a radio show aimed at preventing domestic violence. She may be only 5 feet tall, but she's a powerhouse. Julie Anne is 6' 4". Whatever their height, these two women get the job done.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyODU_S6zLcf7qs4q-FPBQNu7cI82nrwHvUhHh8tXEJ4jq-hkRdXJ17efrC98yFU1dXcG9ZdGhyFjxfN8Zbdkut8KlB9pmRnYTfZnvYWgACgDd_lbHjX0dLWT2sXAKL0ryi9nZqU6A8gI/s1600/Diane+and+Julie+Anne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyODU_S6zLcf7qs4q-FPBQNu7cI82nrwHvUhHh8tXEJ4jq-hkRdXJ17efrC98yFU1dXcG9ZdGhyFjxfN8Zbdkut8KlB9pmRnYTfZnvYWgACgDd_lbHjX0dLWT2sXAKL0ryi9nZqU6A8gI/s400/Diane+and+Julie+Anne.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~ I picked the Statue of Liberty picture for the top of this post, because I believe that women are emerging as powerful leaders in the fight for liberty for the oppressed around the world. The women at this conference included ones who work in dangerous places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo doing rape prevention and aftercare, or who labor from and within the USA to end sex trafficking, domestic violence, female genital mutilation, and other evils.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Equality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Think about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Act on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-48162272693228839022017-03-08T17:50:00.000-05:002019-03-18T10:09:37.289-04:00International Women's Day 2017: What Do You Stand For?<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is International Women's Day again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What does that mean?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Different things to different people, I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am an evangelical Christian and a feminist, and no, those are not mutually exclusive. And yes, I am still very pro-life. (And not just until the baby is born!) I also have seven daughters, three sons, four grandsons, and two granddaughters. I've put my time in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This morning, I started going through my "On This Day" memories feed on Facebook and re-sharing IWD posts from years past, like my own article here on Watch the Shepherd: <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/international-womens-day-2015.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Women's Voices Rising</b></span></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my Facebook posts read: <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I am a woman. But this day, though for me, is not just for or about me. Think of women around the globe. Think of their challenges, their heartaches, their opportunities, their examples, their gifts for their families and communities. Let us sit with them in empathy, stand with them in solidarity, walk with them into a future of progress, dignity, and equality. We are women. Let's make this about each other, all of us, and about all of the girls in generations following us."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I added a fresh new picture for my quote. I had taken down my bulletin board recently and piled its contents on my desk: baby announcement, cards from friends, clipped quotes. The postcard above, purchased at the holocaust museum in Washington D.C., sums it up for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I stand for women on this day. One of my missions in life is to empower women around the globe. Courage. Strength. Respect. Purpose. Equality. Assertiveness. Confidence. Justice. Honor. These don't come easy in a world where many religious and social systems subjugate women. Think that's just far away in some Third World country? Nope. It's here in the USA, too. Been there, done that, walked away from it. It has hurt way too many people whom I know and love. These are just some of the articles I have written.</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/08/mutual-by-design-2017-christians-for.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">Mutual by Design 2017 Christians for Biblical Equality Conference</a></b></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-little-women-cbe17.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>No Little Women (CBE17)</b></span></a></li>
<li><b style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html" style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me (Reflections on A Measure of Light)</span></a></b></li>
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/03/five-things-home-school-moms-should.html" style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Five Things Home School Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-bad-boy-and-angel.html"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Bad Boy and the Angel</b></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-cant-ignore-domestic-violence.html"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We Can't Ignore Domestic Violence</b></span></span></a></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Recognizing Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/01/abuse-thrives-in-culture-of-shame-and.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Abuse Thrives in a Culture of Shame and Silence </span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/moving-on-from-broken-my-church-and.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Moving on from Broken - My Church and Life Transition Story</span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If You Expect Real Respect...</span></a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This past year, it's been difficult to watch the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency. Even though he <a href="https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/839433951957696513" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">acknowledged International Women's Day on Twitter</span></b></a> today (be sure to read comments)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, he does not, in my opinion, represent the interests of women very well. It's not just a lack of support, but his attacks on women, not the least of which would be the sexual assault of strangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By coincidence, I was in Washington D.C. the weekend of the huge women's march. I was en route to my aunt's funeral in Pennsylvania so I didn't go. I also have concerns about the march organizers not welcoming pro-life leaders. However, there is so much more that I<i> do </i>support about the aims of the march. On my flight back to Florida the next day, I sat next to a woman who was in D.C. for her grandmother's birthday and had walked along with part of the march while she was downtown. We shared so many common views about empowering women. I loved to hear her story, face to face, of succeeding as a woman of color despite many challenges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was a small child, the only jobs commonly open to women were nurse, teacher, secretary, and maid. And I'm only 53! Things were much better by the time I reached high school and college, but there was (and still is) discrimination. This should not be. Women need the ability to provide for themselves and their families. Instead of restricting women based on what <i>we</i> think they <i>should</i> do, why not empower them with the same opportunities so they can learn and work according to their own needs, talents, and desires? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember in my early 20's telling a man from church that I had just gotten a new job. He asked if I was a secretary. It was more of an assumption than a question. I was actually a computer programmer for a military contractor, and likely made more money per hour than he did. By choice, I have spent most of the last 30 years (with the exception of one year as a part-time teacher) as a stay-at-home mom. I don't regret that at all. I love being home, and wish I could always do that. I am planning to transition back into the paid workforce out of necessity. This should be interesting. I am a bit nervous. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The comment from the man at church over 30 years ago was actually more amusing than annoying at the time. Worse than that by far was the sexual harassment I experienced in the work place and other situations, including losing a job for refusing a boss's advances. I wrote about some of this here:<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/05/yesallwomen-my-many-stories-of-sexual.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>#YesAllWomen: My Many Stories of Sexual Harassment</b></span></a>. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet as distressing as <i>those</i> experiences were to me, they were nothing compared to what other women in this country have suffered. Listen to these quotes about domestic violence and sexual abuse in the home: <a href="https://youtu.be/yARlviwY4hU?list=PLE2uO4_Et0m9AneYmgCDsFqxbkRCQqUNv" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Voices of Survivors</span></b></a>. Then watch some videos from the recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2uO4_Et0m9AneYmgCDsFqxbkRCQqUNv" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Awaken:Awareness Matters conference</span></b></a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.amyrbuckley.com/" style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">www.AmyRBuckley.com</a><br />See also: <a href="https://amyrbuckley.com/2017/03/03/25-essential-quotes-of-women-celebrating-womens-history-month/" style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">25 Essential Quotes of Women</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then when I think of the world beyond, I am absolutely appalled at what women and girls have to endure. There is no way I can be silent about</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> trafficking, child marriage, FMG (female genital mutililation), honor killings, rape, and lack of decent health care for women.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVD3JtT90g_laZGOGggY0zGDBIDfAd2pT9NYeV4HTn6xd_QLirPNPBmRZr77KEfEfzIvo2B1YcOkGcPWOFmVlN98qXpqyE3n8gjfvE_y9YcnjxHaqjERb6khyEQlENnlWrMfpzh0eF-w/s1600/Child+Bride+magazine+satire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVD3JtT90g_laZGOGggY0zGDBIDfAd2pT9NYeV4HTn6xd_QLirPNPBmRZr77KEfEfzIvo2B1YcOkGcPWOFmVlN98qXpqyE3n8gjfvE_y9YcnjxHaqjERb6khyEQlENnlWrMfpzh0eF-w/s640/Child+Bride+magazine+satire.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://catapult.org/coverstories/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Catapult Cover Stories - click for more</span></b></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhsRTuv_1qDY52ewq0thsg-cO5IukXtjd7qQEgB8MsUjvgP0C1VT0LgpAGoDdFRJmffN294GEnOJmxw_IPkuSdg_qyLwWEGuD4Z1DDiX8nqQ7fZgmGHiKBqorzWVcJIcEtQRNQW999_4/s1600/Golda+Meir+curfew+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhsRTuv_1qDY52ewq0thsg-cO5IukXtjd7qQEgB8MsUjvgP0C1VT0LgpAGoDdFRJmffN294GEnOJmxw_IPkuSdg_qyLwWEGuD4Z1DDiX8nqQ7fZgmGHiKBqorzWVcJIcEtQRNQW999_4/s640/Golda+Meir+curfew+quote.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/timesofisrael/photos/a.181191085320943.33836.151159641657421/1094130410693668" target="_blank">The Times of Israel Facebook</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two of my other Facebook posts were videos I recorded from my spot in the audience at the Synergy conference in March 2011 here in Orlando. It was organized by Carolyn Custis James and keynoted by Sheryl WuDunn. Later this morning, Carolyn Custis James asked permission to post them on her YouTube channel, which I happily granted. She too has written a post for </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/2017/03/08/international-womens-day/" rel="bookmark" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">International Women’s Day</span></b></a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and I think she has another one coming up that has my videos in it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here are the videos on her channel:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carolyn Custis James introducing Sheryl WuDunn at 2011 Synergy conference in Orlando (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU8CkOKPPoU&t=9s" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Video Link</span></b></a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wU8CkOKPPoU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sheryl WuDunn talking about forced child marriage, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">obstetric fistulas, and maternal mortality at 2011 Synergy conference in Orlando (<a href="https://youtu.be/WSgC_BIOarg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Video Link</span></b></a>)</span><br />
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</span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WSgC_BIOarg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is another of Carolyn's YouTube videos: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLBGkO6yrUU" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Patriarchy is a Fallen System</span></b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carolyn and Sheryl are both authors. You can find their books on their web sites:</span><br />
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<li><a href="https://carolyncustisjames.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Carolyn Custis James</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.halftheskymovement.org/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Half the Sky Movement</b></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span>(Sheryl WuDunn and her husband Nicholas Kristof)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or you can order these titles, which I have read, through ChristianBook.com (Disclosure: I am a CBD affiliate and would get a small percentage.)</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=325567" style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Half the Church: Recapturing God's Global Vision for Women</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><o:p style="color: #222222;"></o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">by Carolyn Custis James</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=250145" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></b><o:p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222;"></o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">by Carolyn Custis James</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><u><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=330851" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules</span></a></u></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> by Carolyn Custis James</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=387097" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide</span></b></a> </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222;">by Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is so much more that I could write, but instead, I'll leave you with one last article </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">link </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">by Sarah Bessey, author of </span><b><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=717258" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jesus Feminist</span></a></b><span style="color: #222222;"> (I've read part of this) and </span><b><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=717586" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Out of Sorts</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></b><span style="color: #222222;">(just bought this one and hope to read soon): </span></span><a href="http://sarahbessey.com/a-prayer-for-international-womens-day/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">A Prayer for International Women's Day</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ri8YTRzBRzN-ahwfhCzuX3tT84QTB7W8wx0NJ2EYmlhtuQAqRqygCNgdlaHCj_iTUMzYs-Ta9AzSMgy1-1EPu74tLWr4_NfJ7emZC6nbxz2bMRDhXvl5CtRmauhsedPdXQfg8cqtU8/s1600/Virginia+and+granddaughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ri8YTRzBRzN-ahwfhCzuX3tT84QTB7W8wx0NJ2EYmlhtuQAqRqygCNgdlaHCj_iTUMzYs-Ta9AzSMgy1-1EPu74tLWr4_NfJ7emZC6nbxz2bMRDhXvl5CtRmauhsedPdXQfg8cqtU8/s400/Virginia+and+granddaughter.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Walking with one of my granddaughters <br />- and wondering what the future holds <br />for her generation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-9585001976692754032016-09-13T20:53:00.005-04:002019-03-18T10:09:38.463-04:00Wonderful Words of Life (Strength in Hymn)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtIZJo6P0hLqdxvW8FeSNOeV7w8K12ne_UGBlIYJB_ZdFSW93e5XK28rTQuVAZOdwXW0FSnDnX4ffks_SQwckhLTX2o1qEQFNwQP1m6m_DVnTN_Q-cjYE2NMrQiSPDpK1QMCnCOh0Ty4/s1600/00+pink+flower+with+white+and+purple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtIZJo6P0hLqdxvW8FeSNOeV7w8K12ne_UGBlIYJB_ZdFSW93e5XK28rTQuVAZOdwXW0FSnDnX4ffks_SQwckhLTX2o1qEQFNwQP1m6m_DVnTN_Q-cjYE2NMrQiSPDpK1QMCnCOh0Ty4/s400/00+pink+flower+with+white+and+purple.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"Wonderful Words of Life"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Philip Bliss, 1838-1876</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidOAP_Xh6qZVuoSNh3yeSCUg11_1EZvEyEEoVUVJrFgBrDdtbZI1O9v1Otagpb1wqu0IUZVF-Gk8l7LLgOoYT6BrtaTKE0oeBDuv4-M9XsoNQJKvamClQXpiglIHuXJLYSBhCIVfZSQE/s1600/03+purple+berries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidOAP_Xh6qZVuoSNh3yeSCUg11_1EZvEyEEoVUVJrFgBrDdtbZI1O9v1Otagpb1wqu0IUZVF-Gk8l7LLgOoYT6BrtaTKE0oeBDuv4-M9XsoNQJKvamClQXpiglIHuXJLYSBhCIVfZSQE/s400/03+purple+berries.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sing them over again to me, </div>
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wonderful words of life; </div>
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let me more of their beauty see, </div>
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wonderful words of life; </div>
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words of life and beauty </div>
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teach me faith and duty. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdDL-sYUnYLtUK-jr7cVyUNSCuxki3vEBk-XIhyphenhyphenmX-tN9hq_rkGSGQVCUr2b0YQVSa9CL8yh_a_bDKihzgELccxM7anSfFINuv2X-pBY1dkRESSdl-cswYpHkv4Wl3b54zLaGcbUYD84/s1600/04+white+spike+of+flowers+with+green+centers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdDL-sYUnYLtUK-jr7cVyUNSCuxki3vEBk-XIhyphenhyphenmX-tN9hq_rkGSGQVCUr2b0YQVSa9CL8yh_a_bDKihzgELccxM7anSfFINuv2X-pBY1dkRESSdl-cswYpHkv4Wl3b54zLaGcbUYD84/s400/04+white+spike+of+flowers+with+green+centers.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beauti</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ful words, wonderful words, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beautiful words, wonderful words, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxj2xZx1MMAr-ZutRWIcLvjQtfVmbGUWGkH9yZazpVaXXg-lpJVxRV5KiCjMnqwM5s1Yd9Y_9r7IrlB1DV60uVfwBiUdCY63OtUs_d8jF31HOte6Pie_lGiCiqs0ViAjKByDjzSgDlto/s1600/06+red+hibiscus+flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxj2xZx1MMAr-ZutRWIcLvjQtfVmbGUWGkH9yZazpVaXXg-lpJVxRV5KiCjMnqwM5s1Yd9Y_9r7IrlB1DV60uVfwBiUdCY63OtUs_d8jF31HOte6Pie_lGiCiqs0ViAjKByDjzSgDlto/s400/06+red+hibiscus+flower.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christ, the blessed one, gives to all </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">sinner, list to the loving call, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">all so freely given, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wooing us to heaven. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3q7PyLqB_28GoEhE-8lBJMh41RiKaYC966lq5sOZttU8t5IyXD0xE4Uq3GjoyHouh_i7QBQkSZFd2NeOQxr_ASp63mvIa_TI_y6o1-YPPTzeuimsNFfBNhf1kVc2OULwCkGsqX1QbKQ/s1600/07+tan+and+red+iris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3q7PyLqB_28GoEhE-8lBJMh41RiKaYC966lq5sOZttU8t5IyXD0xE4Uq3GjoyHouh_i7QBQkSZFd2NeOQxr_ASp63mvIa_TI_y6o1-YPPTzeuimsNFfBNhf1kVc2OULwCkGsqX1QbKQ/s400/07+tan+and+red+iris.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beautiful words, wonderful words, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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Beautiful words, wonderful words, </div>
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wonderful words of life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj5_WQdAHz3a7kR1dwCL62lYk-RinYwJTG3YbaptMbZvzvTBcMLYYbyNtvtLQQVWfayne4fdjTn_W1PrnaI1-dXdBPEc5HiN2PgsSOTnSeuohlkEV7uYdvjhMdNebHDoekeDgmlnBYzw/s1600/08+unusual+flower+buds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj5_WQdAHz3a7kR1dwCL62lYk-RinYwJTG3YbaptMbZvzvTBcMLYYbyNtvtLQQVWfayne4fdjTn_W1PrnaI1-dXdBPEc5HiN2PgsSOTnSeuohlkEV7uYdvjhMdNebHDoekeDgmlnBYzw/s400/08+unusual+flower+buds.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sweetly echo the gospel call, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">offer pardon and peace to all, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jesus, only Savior, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">sanctify forever. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhTXY1uXwc2nILjJKch123IK792heqQbm3-d-XyG4_83aCeM1FZL7mj8oTUNkH42mFp0W_BDceI1KSRU1h9mU-dyQHuSjdybhrzUs3HeHlrOTJ3DXWnU6S9nL01eAqOgjYo2pa4cYUKI/s1600/10+dark+pink+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhTXY1uXwc2nILjJKch123IK792heqQbm3-d-XyG4_83aCeM1FZL7mj8oTUNkH42mFp0W_BDceI1KSRU1h9mU-dyQHuSjdybhrzUs3HeHlrOTJ3DXWnU6S9nL01eAqOgjYo2pa4cYUKI/s400/10+dark+pink+flowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beautiful words, wonderful words, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">wonderful words of life.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Beautiful words, wonderful words, </div>
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wonderful words of life. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been such long time since I've posted here, and even longer since I featured my <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/p/strength-in-hymn.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Strength in Hymn series</span></b></a>. But I'm back with this sweet, grace-filled one from Hymns of Praise. I discovered this vintage volume in my late mother's basement, and brought it home to a place of honor on my hymnal shelf. It once belonged to her grandmother, Olive Ransom. The wonderful words endure through all generations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leafing through the pages, I chose this hymn because it speaks life to my soul. I love beauty, as you can see by the nature photos I took with my daughter today at Mead Botanical Garden in Orlando. The beauty of God's creation is life-enriching, and even more, the beauty of his sacrifice is life-redeeming. Words that praise him and tell the gospel story are stunning because they reflect that beauty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is God's good news which takes a stained, scarred, statue of a woman as his own, then by grace, liberates, heals her, and brings her fully alive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a world all too often captured with ugliness, let us all share the wonderful words of life with one another. Words of hope. Words of beauty. Words of peace. Words of grace. Words of love. </span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-24025619690309374062016-05-08T01:29:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:09:36.539-04:00The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me (Reflections on A Measure of Light)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, a new novel mentioned on Facebook piqued my interest. I ordered it almost immediately. <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-measure-of-light-beth-powning/1120323891" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">A Measure of Light</span></b></a>, by bestselling Canadian author Beth Powning, retells the story of Mary Dyer, an English woman who came to Massachusetts as a persecuted Puritan, yet later became one of the earliest American Quakers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mind always seeks connections between what I read and my own life and family, and this was an immediate grab for me. One of my ancestors, <a href="http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/people?group.num=&mbio.num=mb43" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Margaret Stevenson Scott</span></b></a>, was the last and oldest person hanged by the Puritans in the Salem witch trials. And I also knew that some of my other ancestors were New England Quakers in the 1600 and 1700's. This is not just a historical and genealogical interest for me, either. There is so much in my own life story which resonates with the contrast of Puritans and Quakers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure I was prepared for how this book affected me. And I certainly wasn't prepared for what I found out just <i>after</i> I read it; I was shocked to my core. I'll save that juicy part of the story for the end of this post. (No fair peeking!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I already knew of the tragic conflicts between Puritans and Quakers from teaching American history to my own children and my home school co-op students for many years. In particular, I love the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. Yet that was a book for children. An adult level novel like A Measure of Light can fully explore more complexities and nuances, as well as more mature subject matter. Clue: this is not a romance novel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the story opens, Mary and her husband William are gravely concerned about the cruel way that the Church of England was treating Puritans. Encouraged by their friend <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/anne-hutchinson" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Anne Hutchinson</span></b></a> and her husband Will, they decide to flee to America for safety and freedom of worship. On arriving, though, Mary realizes that the Puritans are just as harsh in their punishments against those who dissent from what they believe is the true faith. A culture of strict legalism, fear of divine retribution, demonization of others outside the community (especially native Americans), and tight religious/political control rules the colony. There is little sense of God's loving grace and gospel liberty. Anne helps Mary navigate through the difficulties of adjusting to the community and to motherhood. As a loyal disciple of the Reverend John Cotton, Anne has been entrusted with <i>elucidating</i> his sermons in her home meetings to make the theological meanings clear to the other women. As time passes, Anne puts more emphasis on grace and liberty in her lectures, and men begin attending. All of this ultimately brings her into sharp opposition with Cotton and the other Puritan leaders. She is banished from the colony, and her followers, including the Dyers, move south to Rhode Island. Later, Mary Dyer returns to England for several years and becomes a devout Quaker, passionate about sharing the measure of light she has received with other seeking souls. She is also determined to take a stand for religious liberty for the Quakers in America, and repeatedly risks her own life to plead the cause of those who have been imprisoned and sentenced to death. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought long about her conversion. It is true that the Quakers were not the most orthodox in their theology, particularly in the area of salvation and atonement. However, there is so much to admire. They believe in equality and mutual respect between men and women, between races and nationalities, and between varying socio-economic levels. They believe in peace and simplicity and quietness and supportive communities. They believe in social justice and were key figures in the Underground Railroad. They seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and an authentic relationship with God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I look at the Puritans, who perhaps technically had a more "correct" theological underpinning, but whose application was at times so appalling and soul-shriveling that it negated any benefit. History does not usually look kindly upon them, except for the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving. Then I look at the Quakers, who were a bit loose in their doctrine, but whose application of their FAITH brought life and health and joy to them, as well as empowerment and justice to others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a clear contrast in the book. We cannot know everything of Mary Dyer's true history, but the novel imagines her depression and anxiety, her disconnection from the God she once knew, the difficulties faced in bonding with her children when she has been warned of undue attachments, and her devastation at giving birth to a deformed stillborn baby and then hearing her religious leaders claim this was God's wrath against her. As a Quaker, she is still a very complex woman with deep wounds and a dysfunctional family, at least in the novel version. This is not a happy ever after tale. She has suffered so much spiritually and emotionally, and that leaves a deep imprint on the soul. Yet I rejoiced when she found her "measure of light" and regained a well-seasoned faith, hope, joy, and peace in the midst of the unrelenting challenges she faced. Mary Dyer was hanged in June 1660 after courageously returning to Boston (from which she had been banished) to demand a change to the bloody laws against Quakers. However, as news of this and other executions traveled throughout the colonies and to England, the Puritan leaders were ultimately forced to stop persecuting the Quakers. Unfortunately, that still didn't prevent the Salem Witch Trials. My ancestor, poor old Margaret Scott, an impoverished cranky widow falsely accused of witchcraft, was hanged in September 1692.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But jumping back to my own book reading experience... I started weeping fairly early on, even in the initial descriptions of the colony. This hit way too close to home for me. For many years, we were members of Sovereign Grace Ministries, a church movement heavily influenced by neo-Puritan thought. At the start, I was quite enthusiastic about this. We were the spiritual elite. We could handle the rigorous theology and the expectations for our lifestyle. It was a small price to pay for being so right, eh? Over time, though, my spirit withered under the culture of legalism, control, fear, and a strong emphasis on purging sin from our souls under the watchful guidance of our leaders, whom we were admonished to obey. They also expressed a strong disdain for professional counseling. I held it together the best I could, but I felt like I was under scrutiny. I could never be good enough. I am more of a free spirit, a fluid poet soul. And as a woman, I had little voice, at least when it came to anything of importance outside of my domestic sphere of home schooling and homemaking. We were to live in quietness and deference to men. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2008, I stumbled on two SGM protest blogs, and my tidy yet tenuous little church life really started to unravel. I learned about the devastating effect that the heavy theology and abuse of pastoral and family authority had on members, especially the women and youth. Depression. Anxiety. Morbid introspection. Teen rebellion. Substance abuse. Suicide. Child abuse. Domestic violence. Yikes. That wasn't all. SGM has been embroiled in child molestation scandals for decades, unbeknownst to most members until the accumulated Internet reports hit like a bomb. Families were ordered to not report these crimes to the police; they were to be handled in the church and hushed up. I was disgusted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is just one example of my experience there toward the end: When I tried to speak up for living by grace in a Bible study meeting, I was openly shamed and ridiculed by a fellow member and nobody would come to my defense. He said he was going to park his (metaphorical) bus over my ideas and back up three times. Grace is for weak little pansies. He insisted that the Christian life is all about violently mortifying our sin. I was then castigated by someone else for daring to correct this man privately for his unacceptable behavior. Because I was a woman, I was supposed to suck it up in silence and accept his superior wisdom. (Here's the irony: This man is different now. He listened and he apologized. Seriously.) I can think of several other times I was chided or silenced in that church for encouraging others to live in authentic grace or for speaking up about abuse of authority. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By 2010, I'd had enough. My eyes were opened to the deep damage done to my own family, especially my children. It is still hard to shake the sobering knowledge that I allowed this, and that it still profoundly affects them. I found a good grace-filled Christian therapist who patiently walked me through the issues. We left the church that July, along with hundreds of other members of our congregation. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I wrote this poem as we were leaving:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> <u style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.294px;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/07/it-became-to-me-dark-thing-poem.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">It Became to Me a Dark Thing</span></a>.</span></span></u></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The church eventually parted company with SGM</span><span style="font-size: large;">, as did dozens of others. SGM</span><span style="font-size: large;"> hasn't improved any, and they've come under scathing public criticism, protests at the 2016 T4G conference, and lawsuits. <i>Despite all of this, I do have countless happy memories from this church, too, and many beloved friends there. So many kind and generous and creative people. We've all learned so much. I've had great conversations with the pastors since we left, and I appreciate their sensitivity to my concerns. So there's that. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am now a member of a small Presbyterian (PCA</span><span style="font-size: large;">) congregation that doesn't get hyped about neo-</span><span style="font-size: large;">Calvinism, thank you Jesus. I am still recovering, but at least I found a safe place to land and heal. I am also still seeing a professional therapist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like Mary Dyer, in this long process of waking up and moving on, I finally lost my fear and found my true voice. I am a woman, and I am empowered to speak the truth in love. I am a woman, and I can live by the power of the Holy Spirit. I am a woman, and I can be an advocate for the vulnerable among us. I am a woman and a Mama Bear. I wrote so many blog posts on abuse of authority in churches, families, and the home school movement that I eventually started this Watch the Shepherd niche blog for them. It now has 160 posts with over 160,000 page views. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet, like Mary Dyer, I too have suffered much in my soul. I can write around the tattered edges of my own story, but the darker parts are etched deep within my consciousness. While healing comes as a measure of light year by year, the scars cannot be fully undone this side of eternity. I weep as I write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I am shaking again as I write this last part, the part about what I learned after I set down the book. I thought of my second cousin Ellen, and briefly posted on her Facebook wall that I thought she'd like the book. Based on what she posts, she has a Quakerish soul, I think. Then as an afterthought, I told her that we have common Quaker heritage and sent her a link to a blog post<b> <span style="color: #38761d;">(<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-quakers-up-my-family-tree.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">The Quakers Up My Family Tree</span>)</a></span></b><span style="background-color: white;"><b> </b>that I wrote </span>two years ago. Thinking of that old post made me curious, wondering if there were any connections between Mary Dyer and my Quaker ancestors. I read the list of names and saw the English immigrant Noel Mew and his daughter Mary. (Side note: The name Mary was handed down this family line every two or three generations from Mary Mew in the 1600's until my own daughter Mary.) Anyway, I Googled "Mary Dyer" and "Noel Mew" together and came up with a <a href="https://minerdescent.com/2010/07/27/edward-wanton/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">genealogy post for the descendents of a man named Edward Wanton</span></b></a>. I was fascinated to find that he was an officer stationed at the base of the gallows where Mary Dyer was hanged. Edward Wanton was so struck and convicted by Mary's faith and courage and by the cruelty of the Puritans -- that he became a Quaker himself. Wow. That is powerful. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuZMrD2vgMSTPTm_SeHcpkoVCXogbXypOlrAfVctAFTrydM2hEfLRqY69Wa_ZWJtSDWgSRVlkj3Y5IsryaczI2FpMkXgmWzKBlTvhTmpwZyzke3MyDB7ZxntkHzCTc5aJKb7eWxtj464/s1600/Edward+Wanton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuZMrD2vgMSTPTm_SeHcpkoVCXogbXypOlrAfVctAFTrydM2hEfLRqY69Wa_ZWJtSDWgSRVlkj3Y5IsryaczI2FpMkXgmWzKBlTvhTmpwZyzke3MyDB7ZxntkHzCTc5aJKb7eWxtj464/s400/Edward+Wanton.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward Wanton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But that is not all. After his conversion, Edward Wanton got married, became a Quaker preacher, and had a Quaker family of his own. Two of his sons became colonial governors in Rhode Island. And then how about this? His son Michael married Mary Mew! Thus Edward Wanton is my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather. I let that sink in and realized that if he hadn't become a Quaker because of standing at the gallows of courageous Mary Dyer, I would not be here. This ripple effect has washed over me like a tidal wave. What she did became my story. I am here because of her. And I am changed by reading her example. I am so grateful. In turn, what I do and what I say becomes the story of others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I look at my computer clock here in 2016. Midnight on the dot. It is now Mother's Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am a woman. I am a mother and a grandmother. I have a voice and I'm not afraid to use it. This has already made a difference to many. By the grace and power of God, my life and words will ripple forth and change history. Join me?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPWQDfK0NyPlg1PRwVGScUcsZhi8eht3q4qOExBK3VdEQjMNsDK8f4ci-7-pM6B68mcWQ075fcKk7-DOF4mEfOJ5oCNTHALojBnUYuFrliU8sYXzlSueeDiAk0xQxbCMLMBoW_aVgnGo/s1600/1+Five+generations+Hess+Quarrier+Knowles+Tindall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPWQDfK0NyPlg1PRwVGScUcsZhi8eht3q4qOExBK3VdEQjMNsDK8f4ci-7-pM6B68mcWQ075fcKk7-DOF4mEfOJ5oCNTHALojBnUYuFrliU8sYXzlSueeDiAk0xQxbCMLMBoW_aVgnGo/s400/1+Five+generations+Hess+Quarrier+Knowles+Tindall.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012: My daughter Mary and her two<br />
oldest sons, my late mother Mary, <br />
my late grandmother Dorothy, and me.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Related blog posts:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Poems:</span><br />
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<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/07/it-became-to-me-dark-thing-poem.html"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">It Became to Me a Dark Thing</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/02/shimmer-and-shadow-poem-p52-photos-more.html"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Shimmer and Shadow</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-harp-in-willow-poem.html"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">The Harp in the Willow</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/05/this-is-my-song-and-i-sing.html"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">This Is My Song and I Sing</span></a></b></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Essays:</span></b></div>
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<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-4-dignity.html">Dignity, Decisions, and Liberty of Conscience </a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-of-christ-our-identity-in-christ.html">The Life of Christ, Our Identity in Christ, The Priesthood of All Believers, Submission and Humility</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-walking-by-grace-instead-of-focus-on.html">On Walking by Grace Instead of a Focus on Mortifying Indwelling Sin</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-thoughts-on-cj-mahaney-and-sovereign.html">My Thoughts on CJ Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/05/sovereign-grace-and-saving-face-amended.html">Sovereign Grace and Saving Face </a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/01/abuse-thrives-in-culture-of-shame-and.html">Abuse Thrives in a Culture of Shame and Silence </a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/cynicism-faith-turned-upside-down.html">When Abuse Leads to Cynicism</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/international-womens-day-2015.html">International Women's Day: Women's Voices Rising</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/love-light.html">Love Light</a> (photo essay)</b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/moving-on-from-broken-my-church-and.html">Moving on from Broken - My Church and Life Transition Story</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html">If You Expect Real Respect...</a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/for-all-faithful-women-strength-in-hymn.html"><b>For All the Faithful Women (Strength in Hymn)</b></a></li>
</span></ul>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-4673571496394418182016-03-29T17:52:00.004-04:002019-03-18T10:09:37.219-04:00Five Things Home School Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Five Things Homeschool Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Virginia Knowles</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(Note: This article was originally requested by Ryan Stollar of Homeschool Alumni Reaching Out and first appeared as a guest post on their blog yesterday: </span><a href="https://hareachingout.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/five-things-homeschool-moms-should-know-about-abusive-marriages/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Five Things Homeschool Moms Should Know About Abusive Marriages</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.)</span></span></b><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When our family started the homeschooling journey about 25 years ago, I envisioned my comrades in the movement as the ideal examples of healthy marriage and parenting. I have learned much along the way about educating and nurturing my own ten children, and I am seeing this legacy continue with my six grandchildren. However, as the years have gone by, I have had to lay aside my cute little rose-colored glasses and acknowledge that there can also be a dark side. Abuse, whether it is against a child or a spouse, is a tragic reality in far too many homeschooling families. Because I write frequently on the topics of domestic violence and other forms of family dysfunction, HARO has asked me to share five things that homeschool moms should know about abusive marriages.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Homeschool moms are not immune from abusive marriages. </span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How many of us started out thinking that homeschooling would guarantee us harmonious families? Educating at home can help this effort in many ways, but it is not a magic potion. There are even facets of homeschooling, such as greater responsibility and stretched resources, which put families at increased risk of stress. We must never justify abuse due to these factors, but they can bring latent harmful tendencies to the surface and then compound them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worse yet, homeschooling often attracts fathers who already feel a high need for psychological control over others. (Yes, women can be this way too, but that is beyond the scope of this article.) Fathers may try to exert this control with intentions of raising superior children, but it backfires because good fruit does not come from the bad root of a domineering personality. Common homeschool movement teachings about authority, child training, and gender roles can enable these unhealthy control issues, which can in turn fuel abusive behavior. A man who craves power can easily become a tyrant and a bully against his wife and children, while justifying it by twisting Scripture. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A mother has the moral and legal obligation to shield her children from abuse. Though right and necessary, this puts her at risk of injury. He may shove her out of his way, which could bruise her or cause her to fall and break a bone. She may suffer joint or muscle damage while trying to pull him away from or off of a child. He may impulsively hurt her in retaliation without thinking much about what he is doing. These are forms of domestic violence against his wife, even if he is not intentionally beating her up, and even if she does not have noticeable or lasting injuries. Beyond that, a homeschool dad may purposely and maliciously hurt his wife - physically or emotionally - as a way of dominating her or “punishing” her for her supposed shortcomings. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If a homeschool mom feels she must defer to her husband in everything, or she is trying to protect her family’s Christian reputation, or if she has no financial resources or current job skills to support her family, then she can feel she has little recourse when the marriage turns toxic. If she protests or even offers an alternative opinion, she is often labeled as rebellious, told she will ruin her children, and intimidated with threats. This shaming and fear is often reinforced by her church leaders and homeschool friends who do not fully understand the dynamics of abusive relationships. If she has been conditioned to distrust or even fear government or community resources, she is at a further disadvantage. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cannot even begin to tell you how many Christian homeschool moms I know who have been in abusive marriages for far too long, and feel like they have no choice but to put up with it. This has to stop. Even if you don’t think domestic violence personally affects you, please read these articles and the others I have linked later:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-bad-boy-and-angel.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bad Boy and the Angel</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-cant-ignore-domestic-violence.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We Can't Ignore Domestic Violence</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/abigails-story-responses-to-domestic.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Abigail's Story: Responses to Domestic Violence</span></span></a></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cbeinternational.org/blogs/ten-myths-about-domestic-abuse-you-didnt-know-you-believed-part-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten Myths About Domestic Violence You Didn’t Know You Believed: Part 1</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://www.cbeinternational.org/blogs/ten-myths-about-domestic-abuse-you-didnt-know-you-believed-part-2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part 2</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Christians for Biblical Equality)</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Abuse in marriage is not just physical. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Physical violence is not the only way a man can abuse his wife. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abuse also includes threats, ridicule, coercion, manipulation, intimidating body language, playing mind games like </span><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/gaslighting-definition-techniques-and-being-gaslighted/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gaslighting</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, humiliating her in front of others, isolating her from friends and family, denying access to resources (finances, medical care, transportation, information, counseling), neglecting to follow through on promises and responsibilities, blocking her exit from a room, damaging her possessions, blaming her for the abuse, alienating her from her children, and more. You can see this by looking at the </span><a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/images/wpe6.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Power and Control Wheel. </span></a></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Again, a wife is particularly susceptible to these forms of relational abuse if she believes that she must comply with her husband’s demands for authority. Because her husband has not physically injured her, she may not realize that he is still abusive. She may acknowledge that something is wrong, but think that she herself is the problem. She may attempt to work on marital intimacy, a more cheerful and submissive attitude, better child training, a cleaner house, and everything else she can think so that her husband will treat her better. What she needs to realize is that she is being abused, and that the necessary response is much different. The marriage is not just difficult or dysfunctional, but destructive and dangerous.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recognizing abuse can be particularly confusing because it often occurs in unpredictable cycles of repeating phases: tension building (increased frustration, conflict, withdrawal, mood swings, pressure to comply), acute explosion (aggressive crisis incident that may either “come out of nowhere” or be intentionally escalated by the abuser), honeymoon (active attempts by the abuser to rebuild trust through apologies, compliments, promises, gifts, favors, spiritual activity, counseling, etc.), and calm (settling down, forgetting, minimizing, relief, normalcy). It is important to realize that even in the lull after an explosive incident, the husband is most likely still emotionally abusing her through other means, whether she realizes it or not. Again, it is important to recognize the many forms of abuse in order to realize the continued gravity of the situation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some more resources to read about recognizing the forms of marital abuse, and realizing why so many women stay. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recognizing Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/bonding-and-bondage-in-abusive.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bonding and Bondage in Abusive Relationships</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/InfoDomesticViolence.htm#why" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why Women Stay</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/images/wpe6.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Power and Control Wheel</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/gaslighting-definition-techniques-and-being-gaslighted/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Gaslighting Technique</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Joseph Carver, PhD</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Children are at risk of lasting damage when abuse is present in a marriage.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While you started homeschooling to nurture and care for your children, if your marriage is abusive, they are not in a safe and healthy environment. Most states consider it child abuse when children witness abuse between their parents. In extreme cases, you can be held liable and lose your children if you do not take appropriate action to protect them from the consequences of their other parent’s abuse. Think carefully about all of this if you are “staying together for the sake of the children.” You may be doing more harm than good.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the most basic level, the stress of seeing abusive behavior in their parents’ marriage can create emotional disturbance which will also affect physical health. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bedwetting, self-harming, and defiance are common side effects. Children often internalize parental conflict and blame themselves. Or they can turn their anger and aggression against other people and become bullies themselves. If your children have been affected in any way by abuse in the home, please seek medical help and mental health therapy for them and yourself as soon as possible. If you don’t think you can afford this, call a community mental health or child protective organization for assistance.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A child is at additional risk for physical injury as an innocent bystander to domestic violence, especially if the child attempts to protect the mother, or if the father hurts the child as a way of causing extra distress to his wife. No child is safe if the father is throwing things, shoving his wife, slamming doors, or other manifestations of rage. In addition, a mother who is being abused can in turn blame her children, and then treat them in harsh and injurious ways. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While the mother is dealing with the distress in her marriage, she can easily be distracted from providing an adequate education for her children. They can also be too stressed out to focus on their assignments. While there are certainly times to lay aside formal academics to deal with family issues, if they cannot regularly attend to homeschooling because of this, then something needs to change.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally, marital abuse exposes children to a powerfully toxic example of a dysfunctional relationship which they may normalize (see as the usual) and then carry forward into their own romantic and parental relationships. Depending on how they process the experience, they may be more likely to tolerate or perpetrate abusive dating or marriage relationships, as well as perpetuate abusive practices with their own children. It is important for them to understand what is happening, know that it is wrong, and develop strategies to keep themselves safe for their present and future. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">See also:</span></span></div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;">
<li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/domviolence/impact/children-youth/" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Youth</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nctsn.org/content/children-and-domestic-violence" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Children and Domestic Violence</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org/effect-on-children.html" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children</span></span></a></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Decisive action is necessary, and sometimes it has to be drastic. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, abuse does not just go away on its own. A mother must take decisive action to ensure safety and sanity for herself and her children. Here are several things she might do, starting out with the basics and ramping it up as necessary: </span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">assess the situation to acknowledge exactly what has happened in the past and what the current and future risk is</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">strengthen her confidence and resolve to move forward into a safe and healthy family life</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">educate herself on the dynamics of abuse, which will involve reading and focused research</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">break the silence and share her story with a supportive network of friends, family, and trustworthy on-line forums </span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">seek appropriate professional help (more on that in the next section)</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">set and enforce firm boundaries with specific consequences</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">determine her optimal alternatives if those boundaries are not respected</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">make safety/exit/escape plans and preparations in case the situation escalates</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">separate from the abuser, which may entail persuading him to leave the home, having him removed from the home, or moving out with her children</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">go “no contact” to prevent harassment by phone, texts, messaging, e-mail </span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">file a restraining order to keep the abuser away from the family and home</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">as necessary, file for divorce as an increased legal protection against continued abuse</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please note that while each of these steps can lead to more clarity and progress, none of them will guarantee an end to the abuse. In fact, the risk of retaliation can increase each time a woman takes initiative to distance herself further from her abuser. This should not dissuade her from taking action, but at all points she needs to be extra vigilant and not let her guard down as she moves forward to safety and dignity. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Depending on the severity of the situation, it may be necessary for the children to transition into other formats of education so that their mother can focus on the actions necessary to protect and provide for the family. This could involve homeschooling with outside assistance (hybrid school, co-op, online programs, grandparents) or enrolling some or all of the children in traditional full-time schools. This doesn’t have to happen immediately. A mother might set a goal of preparing her children for the change within a certain time period as she simultaneously works through her own future options. If a woman’s identity is wrapped around mothering and homeschooling, any of these transitions can be an uncomfortable sacrifice for her. She will appreciate compassionate understanding and support from her network of homeschool friends. She can know that she is doing her best to nurture her children, even if this was not part of her ideal plan.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> other articles about taking action against abuse in marriage:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theraveproject.com/index.php/resources/resource/the_stained_glass_story_of_domestic_violence/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Stained Glass Story of Domestic Violence</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Help is available, but you have to know where to look.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taking action in a domestic violence situation can be confusing and intimidating. A woman’s access to solid help in the form of reliable information and practical assistance can make a huge difference in how she is able to proceed. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Often, her first step is reaching out for advice and emotional support from family, friends, and religious leaders whom she already personally knows. How they respond is crucial. They can either move her toward safety and healing, or send her back into the lion’s den. Will they believe her story? Not always. Many domestic violence survivors are accused of misunderstanding, exaggerating, or worse yet, lying about their circumstances. Even if they are believed, they are often advised to forgive their offender, patch things up, and work on their own problems without setting appropriate boundaries or separating from the abuser. Yikes! At this point, a woman may give up trying to change the situation and just keep muddling and agonizing, questioning her own perception of reality. However, if she keeps talking about it or or finds someone else who will listen to her, she will hopefully find some support in her own personal network. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This facetious list by a domestic violence survivor and (former) homeschool mother of 12 can help others know how to best respond: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/07/guest-post-by-susan-moore-top-20-very.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Top 20 Very Best Things to Say to Someone Who is Struggling (Guest Post by Susan Moore)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The reaction of a woman’s pastors and elders is also key, but this can get confusing, too. They may know and trust her husband, and be reluctant to acknowledge a serious problem if he seems like a normal, caring human being. Or they may be so fixated on preserving marriages in the congregation that they are unwilling to entertain the potential necessity of a separation or divorce. Or they may not have professional training in the area of domestic violence, and counsel the couple as if they had a difficult marriage instead of a dangerous and destructive one. If they use a nouthetic or so-called “Biblical” approach to counseling, they may blame the wife and tell her to deal with her own sins in the marriage. Or they may say something to the husband about the alleged abuse that embarrasses him, and he in turn takes it out on his wife. On the other hand, think of the good that would result if pastors sought professional level skills in crisis counseling, and took a broader and deeper view toward God’s heart for families. At the very least, a pastor should be able and willing to refer domestic violence victims to professional counselors in the community who are educated and experienced in this specialty, as well as gain a basic understanding of the issues. He or she can find out more at these links:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://homeschoolersanonymous.org/2015/06/12/you-can-probably-guess-what-the-founder-of-biblical-counseling-said-about-domestic-violence/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You Can Probably Guess What the Founder of “Biblical” Counseling Said About Domestic Violence</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://homeschoolersanonymous.org/2015/05/15/how-christian-homeschool-leaders-have-addressed-domestic-violence-isnt-ok/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How Christian Homeschool Leaders Have Addressed Domestic Violence Isn’t OK</span></span></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One very important thing to know is that couples counseling - whether pastoral or professional - is not at all recommended when the dynamics of abuse exist in a relationship. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is rarely (if ever) effective and puts a wife at additional risk of abuse and retaliation. Both parties do need counseling, but it should be individual. If they use the same counselor, there must be an absolute guarantee of confidentiality.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-couples-counseling-is-not.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why Couples Counseling is Not Recommended for Abusive Marriages, Even Christian Ones</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dhs.state.or.us/caf/dv/desktools/couples_counseling_12_reaso.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 Reasons Why Couples Counseling Is Not Recommended When Domestic Violence Is Present</span></span></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beyond a woman’s existing personal circle of friends and family, there is much help available in the community. She can research information and participate in support groups on the Internet, check out books at the library, call a domestic violence crisis line, seek help at a women’s shelter, get professional counseling (can be faith-based and may be covered by insurance), apply for government financial and medical assistance, and find a referral for affordable (maybe subsidized) legal help. Here are some links for these community resources:</span></span></div>
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<li><a href="http://www.ncadv.org/" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">National Coalition Against Domestic Violence</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/domestic-violence-awareness-month-with.html" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Leslie Vernick</span></span></a></li>
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<a href="http://www.thehotline.org/help/tech-social-media-safety/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tech and Social Media Safety</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.theraveproject.com/index.php/resources/resource/how_to_cover_your_tracks_surfing_the_web/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How to Cover Your Tracks Surfing the Web</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.domesticshelters.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Domestic Violence Shelters</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (find one in your area)</span></span></div>
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<li><a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/apply-for-coverage/apply-for-coverage.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apply for Medicaid</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (based on income and family size)</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thehotline.org/2013/07/finding-the-right-counselor-for-you/" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finding the Right Counselor for You</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=191651" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> book by Lundy Bancroft which you may find at your public library. This is a wealth of information, so GET THIS BOOK even if you have to buy it!</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Yourself-From-Abusive-Relationship/dp/0897932579/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Yourself from an Abusive Relationship: 7 Steps to Taking Back Your Life</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> book by Andrea Lissette, M.A. And Richard Kraus, Ph.D.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Hedge-Waneta-Dawn/dp/1600343325" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Behind the Hedge</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - a novel by Waneta Dawn about domestic violence in a Mennonite home</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a lot of information to process right now. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, please read more and come back to it again, even if it is just a little at a time. Let it sink in. Think about what you need to do next for yourself or someone else, and start taking steps in that direction. What you know, what you say, and what you do about domestic violence can make a difference not only now, but for generations to come. Let me know if you </span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">need help.</span></span></span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-17569154091937783542016-02-16T13:43:00.005-05:002019-03-18T10:09:36.352-04:00Naghmeh Abedini and Responding to Marital Abuse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vyyZrRICYgCaTeLSep2bpLXmh9m_gw1EzqgXuyPUheJ4RpdJQIcpaqg_AiiqPZ9N9Hpt9D5Pst_GGdtqaQB8BosVFJijIwcGz-Yk6lFmDJdjH3NGTQaojuki-ty0AuqtZPuNBjAE_rY/s1600/naghmeh-abedini-speaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vyyZrRICYgCaTeLSep2bpLXmh9m_gw1EzqgXuyPUheJ4RpdJQIcpaqg_AiiqPZ9N9Hpt9D5Pst_GGdtqaQB8BosVFJijIwcGz-Yk6lFmDJdjH3NGTQaojuki-ty0AuqtZPuNBjAE_rY/s320/naghmeh-abedini-speaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naghmeh Abedini<br />
<a href="http://www.christiantoday.com/article/like.her.husband.pastor.saeed.abedini.naghmeh.also.under.fire.for.her.strong.christian.faith/68134.htm" target="_blank">Picture Credit</a></td></tr>
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<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 56px 5px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 36px 0px 0px; text-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 1px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="color: #141823; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though I haven't blogged at <a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Watch the Shepherd</span></a> in nearly three months, I have been keeping a pulse on one of my major themes here: abusive relationships in families and Christian movements. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The big one in the headlines is that Idaho pastor Saeed Abedini, who had been imprisoned and tortured in Iran for a few years because of his ministry there</span><span style="font-size: large;">, was released last month in a prisoner swap. His wife Naghmeh worked tirelessly for his release, making countless media appearances and appeals to US government authorities, including President Obama, who intervened on their behalf.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, that was the happy part of the story. The disturbing part came when his wife Naghmeh revealed a several year history of marital abuse, which included physical abuse (for which he plead guilty several years ago), as well as verbal/emotional abuse and porn use. The latter two did not stop during his imprisonment. She has filed for legal separation to protect herself and the children and she has sought out individual </span><span style="font-size: large;">professional counseling for handling her delicate </span><span style="font-size: large;">situation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Christian world has gone crazy. Many point their fingers at Naghmeh: <i>How dare she do this to Saeed after what he has been through? Aren't there two sides to every story? Maybe she's lying, or at least exaggerating? What about his feelings? Why won't she reconcile with Saeed? Why won't she agree to couples counseling? Why won't she play nice and be a good wife? Or is she hiding something? Maybe she's greedy and wants to keep all the money she raised while she was trying to get him released? </i><i>Or maybe she is covering up an </i><i>affair?</i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>The insinuations have gotten pretty vile. Personally, I am particularly irritated at Franklin Graham for his public statements which are making things even more difficult for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Others, like me, choose to stand with Naghmeh. We know too much for our own comfort about marital abuse and its aftermath. We will not stay silent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every time a new article about the Abedini family </span><span style="font-size: large;">has popped up in my blog reader or on my Facebook feed, I have linked it on my Facebook wall. So I have quite a collection, most of which I will now share with you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 1.2;"><a href="http://spiritualsoundingboard.com/2016/02/15/saeed-abedini-and-franklin-graham-promote-couples-counseling-to-reconcile-the-abedinis-because-of-saeeds-abuse-is-this-counterproductive/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Saeed Abedini and Franklin Graham Promote “Couples Counseling” to Reconcile the Abedinis. Because of Saeed’s Abuse, is This Counterproductive?</span></a> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2;">from Spiritual Sounding Board</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2016/02/nagmeh-abedini-franklin-graham-and-the-silencing-of-evangelical-abuse-victims.html" style="line-height: 30px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Naghmeh Abedini, Franklin Graham, and the Silencing of Evangelical Abuse Victims</span></a><span style="line-height: 30px;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 30px;">by Libby Anne at Love, Joy, Feminism</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://visionarywomanhood.com/three-nasty-things-some-women-are-saying-about-naghmeh/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Three Nasty Things (Some) Woman are Saying About Naghmeh</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">and</span> </span><a href="http://visionarywomanhood.com/deliver-us-from-evil/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Deliver Us from Evil</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">by Natalie Klejwa at Visionary Womanhood</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2016/01/31/for-the-continuing-naghmeh-doubters-yes-saeed-really-did-plead-guilty/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">For the Continuing Naghmeh Doubters: Yes, Saeed Really Did Plead Guilty</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">and</span> </span><a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2016/01/27/saeed-abedinis-wife-files-legal-papers-in-the-wake-of-her-husbands-release/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Saeed Abedini's Wife Files Legal Papers in the Wake of Her Husband's Release</b></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">by Wartburg Watch</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.chadestes.com/2016/01/welcome-home-saeed/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Welcome Home, Saeed Abedini. We're Sorry, But There Won't Be a Parade</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">and</span> </span><a href="http://www.chadestes.com/2016/02/follow-up-saeed-naghmeh-abedini/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Follow-Up from the Saeed Abedini Blog Post</b></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">by Chad Estes</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.ashleyeaster.com/blog/saeed-double-standards" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pastor Saeed and the Double Standards of Abuse</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">by Ashley Easter</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/saeed-abedini-rejects-wife-naghmeh-marriage-problems-calls-her-hero-praying-healing-156436/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Saeed Abedini Rejects Wife's Claims About Marriage Problems, but Calls Her His Hero</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">(news report from Christian Post)</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://lydiacenter.org/2016/02/13/the-heroic-abuser-christian-media-headlines-about-saeed-and-naghmeh-abedini/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Heroic Abuser? Christian Media Headlines about Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini</span></b></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">at Lydia Center (statistical analysis of news coverage)</span></span></span><ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was quite an education, wasn't it?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">What is my point in sharing all of this?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Naghmeh has found her voice, not only to advocate for her husband all these years, but now to advocate for herself and her two children. Is she selfish to do this? Not at all! Victims have every right to speak up and be heard. In doing so, Naghmeh also advocates for countless other women who find themselves in similar situations. They are everywhere. You may think you don't know any of them, but I'll bet </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">you do. It's just that not all of them are in a position to say anything publicly. It's a matter of safety for themselves and their children, it's embarrassing, and their family finances may depend on the husband's reputation. Some of them do drop hints, intentionally or not. Some of them also ask for help privately. Tragically, many will be treated like Naghmeh by self-righteous or merely naive people who don't have much of a clue about the dynamics of abuse.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I have had so many domestic violence victims tell me that their pastors and Christian friends have shamed them for telling their stories. They are ordered to "Stop being so bitter. Just forgive and move on!" Sometimes, they seriously just need to </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/07/disentangle-poem.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">disentangle</span></b></a> from their abuser and </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">move on. A wife is under absolutely <i>no</i> obligation to return to or submit to an abusive husband. Separation and even divorce are her right. So many just do not understand this.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This victim shaming h</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">as to stop. NOW! Maybe the media coverage and pushback from Naghmeh's will bring this to light even more. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">As for me, I intend to stand with Naghmeh and with other victims of family and spiritual abuse wherever I find them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And now I'd like to share links for articles I have written about domestic abuse and the church's response.</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-couples-counseling-is-not.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why Couples Counseling is Not Recommended for Abusive Marriages, Even Christian Ones</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/elizabeths-story-domestic-violence-in.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Elizabeth's Story: Domestic Violence in a Ministry Home</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-bad-boy-and-angel.html"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bad Boy and the Angel</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recognizing Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/domestic-violence-awareness-month-with.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Leslie Vernick</span></a></span></span></b></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/psychological-socialism-manipulating.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psychological Socialism: Manipulating through Equalizing Blame</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/abigails-story-responses-to-domestic.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Abigail's Story: Responses to Domestic Violence</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/02/maras-story-anger-after-abuse-dv-story-4.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mara's Story: Anger After Abuse</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/cynicism-faith-turned-upside-down.html"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Abuse Leads to Cynicism</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/01/abuse-thrives-in-culture-of-shame-and.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Abuse Thrives in a Culture of Shame and Silence</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/07/guest-post-by-susan-moore-top-20-very.html" style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Top 20 Very Best Things to Say to Someone Who is Struggling (Guest Post by Susan Moore)</a><b style="color: #cc0000;"> </b>- please note that this list is facetious!</span></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/war-room-hope-or-hype.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">War Room: Hope or Hype?</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/09/to-young-woman-with-bruises.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the Young Woman with Bruises</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-cant-ignore-domestic-violence.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We Can't Ignore Domestic Violence</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/bonding-and-bondage-in-abusive.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bonding and Bondage in Abusive Relationships</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If You Expect Real Respect...</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/follow-way-of-love.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Follow the Way of Love</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/banging-buttons.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Banging the Buttons</span></a></span></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">There is such a sadness that comes over me when I write about the topic of abuse. My heart cinches up inside. Yet I am glad this affects me. It should. It is a sad thing. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I am thankful for people like my own pastor, Mike Tilley, who has preached that wives are not to submit to abuse and that husbands must not be domineering. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I am thankful for bloggers around the world who have spoken out. I am thankful for women and men </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">who have quietly ministered to domestic violence victims with <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/09/your-kindness-gave-me-courage.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">kind words</span></b></a>, protection, shelter, </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">financial support, child care, </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and other help. I am thankful for my women's </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bible study group where I am </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">reminded of God's love for all of us, even in the trials of life. I am thankful for Naghmeh for putting herself on the line for truth and justice and compassion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">To </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Naghmeh and other survivors: I</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">f you ever read this, my love and prayers and support are with you. I would love to hear from you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Here is a song to bring you a little more courage than the astounding fortitude you already have.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F77v41jbOYs&sns=fb" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" by Danny Lokey</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">With love,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">www.WatchTheShepherd.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">P.S. If this post has helped you, would you be so kind as to forward it along or link it in your blog post or Facebook wall?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGXXnVqGkr1HsxmFzwpELkpqakLzruYNn8iqYmOFNEvs5M5PO97HtGUb2IVKxesCwyyiIgmBp3j8F3DeBdwSNgcOWpN3TWnvs_pI1KfS4mOkns4b8TAKZdQJyKKROpBlOv85ZNk6nXaU/s1600/We+Must+Always+Take+Sides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGXXnVqGkr1HsxmFzwpELkpqakLzruYNn8iqYmOFNEvs5M5PO97HtGUb2IVKxesCwyyiIgmBp3j8F3DeBdwSNgcOWpN3TWnvs_pI1KfS4mOkns4b8TAKZdQJyKKROpBlOv85ZNk6nXaU/s640/We+Must+Always+Take+Sides.jpg" width="523" /></span></a></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-38263730245752858322015-11-22T22:23:00.001-05:002019-03-18T10:09:36.992-04:00Thanksgiving Dinner in the Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNfDsbNvkChir6yJIoBJlYHhcwvpvtU4FgytI2zxsbvHVUDwVJtiK0L8PJkiGh9XtnWiA6UoQQ4PtKypBDVz_9tmgq3rB74I3Aj2acHh61cbmVosCBCcm9iTYtzfHAm8sEIteGjaI9IE/s1600/00+Sign+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNfDsbNvkChir6yJIoBJlYHhcwvpvtU4FgytI2zxsbvHVUDwVJtiK0L8PJkiGh9XtnWiA6UoQQ4PtKypBDVz_9tmgq3rB74I3Aj2acHh61cbmVosCBCcm9iTYtzfHAm8sEIteGjaI9IE/s400/00+Sign+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Community Thanksgiving</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Free Dinner Today 4-6 PM</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You might have seen these colorful signs along a road near us today. And then you might have seen dozens of people mingling and eating in a parking lot. What's up with that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Local Impact is a church-based ministry to those who live in transitional housing at a local extended stay motel, as well as to those who live on the streets or in the woods. These are our neighbors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We host a community event most months, usually a full dinner in the parking lot at the motel. Our Thanksgiving meal (the Sunday before the holiday) and Christmas party (cookies and cocoa and presents) are the two biggest of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a photo journal of our Thanksgiving effort:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The food gathering started in the weeks before the outreach. Folks at Metro Life, the sponsoring church, donate much of the food, and whatever is still needed is purchased by the Local Impact team. Publix, a local grocery chain, donates the baked goods each month. Whatever food is not used for the dinner is given away in bags at the outreach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0MevVxEeB1k6ZJw0DpzW8fAHtMkNkk2IoStJpoS4MPMf2iD_QD1DeDy2MRinStd4LYVhmrTaDXsXo-cxZZuIBQXb0XkG2kMDx9e5QeuIvyWhI6bwyzRHbZMxmNMChqhVePvsEoo-ISk/s400/02+Food+gathered+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Friday night, teams gathered at the church building to cook, assemble materials, repair equipment, and prepare flyers for the motel. Many of the volunteers, like me, don't even attend Metro Life, but we love what they are doing. I have an extra incentive since my second oldest daughter and her husband started the event a few years ago and she organizes it most months. Tagging along on her projects is about the most exciting thing I can imagine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Food prep: cutting up ham and turkey, making stuffing, opening cranberry sauce and beans, and making the mashed potatoes! Oh, the potatoes! Cleaning, peeling, cooking, mashing, mixing - I don't know how many bags of potatoes they used but they aimed for at least 150 servings.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLhfErPx9T_afgl0lcIEkZ4ngxn2si6dpZIgRncdLYux3h8YQp4fmSgCjIeQyKPOC4aNtV8jfnmImdMJvLgjnjTdGlTpMhKa_IaTYnJ86pS4n7CPbpsYMvisGXXRYDU75pa2qFaj5llk/s1600/01+Fixing+Thanksgiving+dinner+for+an+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLhfErPx9T_afgl0lcIEkZ4ngxn2si6dpZIgRncdLYux3h8YQp4fmSgCjIeQyKPOC4aNtV8jfnmImdMJvLgjnjTdGlTpMhKa_IaTYnJ86pS4n7CPbpsYMvisGXXRYDU75pa2qFaj5llk/s400/01+Fixing+Thanksgiving+dinner+for+an+outreach.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPfSYBkPPw1hc6fqiIOBe3lknj4XqLAwPLr_g1_nbL3CWPQnt0NVaCJmsee8RlDCK5BjsUDGjEBmiPoqAaH2qHlF74uzWzi6cYFpmz1O8FIWAAAEI3XfeOc2u6kFXE1TLbDsnWpuZHcc/s1600/01+Mashed+potatoes+in+Bosch+mixer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPfSYBkPPw1hc6fqiIOBe3lknj4XqLAwPLr_g1_nbL3CWPQnt0NVaCJmsee8RlDCK5BjsUDGjEBmiPoqAaH2qHlF74uzWzi6cYFpmz1O8FIWAAAEI3XfeOc2u6kFXE1TLbDsnWpuZHcc/s400/01+Mashed+potatoes+in+Bosch+mixer.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0SkmVwUqntTSg1N3wDdAIlPT1AILl7MbiXeRRmLWHIvhJrE7NnYjz786DX6WWSVB1uuhFckw7zCogpX1yXT_3aYbIumLQFAeVjJXi4zZfYNtRuEosTjhDrhj5PMeEYxn-LgIiKKO6dI/s1600/01+Peeling+potatoes+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0SkmVwUqntTSg1N3wDdAIlPT1AILl7MbiXeRRmLWHIvhJrE7NnYjz786DX6WWSVB1uuhFckw7zCogpX1yXT_3aYbIumLQFAeVjJXi4zZfYNtRuEosTjhDrhj5PMeEYxn-LgIiKKO6dI/s400/01+Peeling+potatoes+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" width="271" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Several people repaired the wood benches and tables.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaM7Vm0i81NJekFHMFaLzkFOtEY2xQ6aDt1o61eIgsO4-Q1fC90aloNlQCeUyZusV5PJWiRAeQoDGTuh25RhTc_V-L0rvrja2DC8iWG0c3VuBJqg42tgHx2cn95MSa1EKHX3fAxxzBD0/s1600/02+Repairing+wood+benches+and+tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaM7Vm0i81NJekFHMFaLzkFOtEY2xQ6aDt1o61eIgsO4-Q1fC90aloNlQCeUyZusV5PJWiRAeQoDGTuh25RhTc_V-L0rvrja2DC8iWG0c3VuBJqg42tgHx2cn95MSa1EKHX3fAxxzBD0/s400/02+Repairing+wood+benches+and+tables.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0MevVxEeB1k6ZJw0DpzW8fAHtMkNkk2IoStJpoS4MPMf2iD_QD1DeDy2MRinStd4LYVhmrTaDXsXo-cxZZuIBQXb0XkG2kMDx9e5QeuIvyWhI6bwyzRHbZMxmNMChqhVePvsEoo-ISk/s1600/02+Food+gathered+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We used autumn silk flower bouquets from the church.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYfAcHeu0GUb1xseK9-4-Pt7yxZr3_GAC6r3uWDd-W0vGEJmM7VLjX9qlTfw1xaNvPNyS7fnmkl0_BvrK9gJ3sFlcWMxODn0TVOL9rSDUZkH5UY168y69jP9fEmzQIOlGOgTuGhyphenhyphen6OpQ/s1600/02+Potted+autumn+silk+mums.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYfAcHeu0GUb1xseK9-4-Pt7yxZr3_GAC6r3uWDd-W0vGEJmM7VLjX9qlTfw1xaNvPNyS7fnmkl0_BvrK9gJ3sFlcWMxODn0TVOL9rSDUZkH5UY168y69jP9fEmzQIOlGOgTuGhyphenhyphen6OpQ/s320/02+Potted+autumn+silk+mums.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaM7Vm0i81NJekFHMFaLzkFOtEY2xQ6aDt1o61eIgsO4-Q1fC90aloNlQCeUyZusV5PJWiRAeQoDGTuh25RhTc_V-L0rvrja2DC8iWG0c3VuBJqg42tgHx2cn95MSa1EKHX3fAxxzBD0/s1600/02+Repairing+wood+benches+and+tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had to attach rubber bands to the invitations right away so they could be hung on door knobs at the motel that evening.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf9wBQXnlqfmIE_RMlLCTtZpWhC5rhznX56mQqzTMd7qO89YoacI1kgNsJb1WH6a5AMA8lFmhamUt1C0Qz9GPkDWJHMJGch4Qnhyhix8XVFv3OGTIjUTPQg5izsxEpTdcFVIi5ShbuAE/s1600/03+Wrapping+utensils+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf9wBQXnlqfmIE_RMlLCTtZpWhC5rhznX56mQqzTMd7qO89YoacI1kgNsJb1WH6a5AMA8lFmhamUt1C0Qz9GPkDWJHMJGch4Qnhyhix8XVFv3OGTIjUTPQg5izsxEpTdcFVIi5ShbuAE/s640/03+Wrapping+utensils+for+Thanksgiving+outreach.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21ThKKzVDxld3rwJUo61hknBZsOSI6epvO5PYfr2x8MXISz0mnFTh9xgYYZsE6gV2g-BSY2yg8Jk8kgq65KsK6Gq3IwBQai22Id2Z7EkwP-ftqj0V0_fUZ0M4O3bOVsFcrjbh5Mo9nR0/s1600/05+Holding+Thanksgiving+outreach+flyers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21ThKKzVDxld3rwJUo61hknBZsOSI6epvO5PYfr2x8MXISz0mnFTh9xgYYZsE6gV2g-BSY2yg8Jk8kgq65KsK6Gq3IwBQai22Id2Z7EkwP-ftqj0V0_fUZ0M4O3bOVsFcrjbh5Mo9nR0/s400/05+Holding+Thanksgiving+outreach+flyers.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was also in the group that assembled utensil bundles with decorative napkins, and Scripture tags, and raffia cord.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34n963734WyTM47BkHOuM9EzxmQZG-wmLuwTFTOICjWDDHrAzr3oDgoDkR-jV_3xs_1pBs0ZwHgs1_hMdBmWX3JCh6qcgwKXa2qQ1LD0aZm5XE8rOR5MBr8gh4CHJ9FbuPHmCwP7AmgQ/s1600/04+Thanksgiving+outreach+utensils+and+napkin+bundles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34n963734WyTM47BkHOuM9EzxmQZG-wmLuwTFTOICjWDDHrAzr3oDgoDkR-jV_3xs_1pBs0ZwHgs1_hMdBmWX3JCh6qcgwKXa2qQ1LD0aZm5XE8rOR5MBr8gh4CHJ9FbuPHmCwP7AmgQ/s400/04+Thanksgiving+outreach+utensils+and+napkin+bundles.JPG" width="395" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIW_31JGrvZ5PIQ3gvZ2f-mAOo-6RkaYKCTmovoCue75TWB70drQPnmJSRIY7TjWgWLG4rMfzpVgzB7_wu1up2oGdLD5f9-vzOlEP4NhzQOP5p6207zch2hbO9vCtgO-mauZiCuPqBhQ/s1600/05+Bundles+of+Thanksgiving+dinner+utensils+and+napkins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIW_31JGrvZ5PIQ3gvZ2f-mAOo-6RkaYKCTmovoCue75TWB70drQPnmJSRIY7TjWgWLG4rMfzpVgzB7_wu1up2oGdLD5f9-vzOlEP4NhzQOP5p6207zch2hbO9vCtgO-mauZiCuPqBhQ/s640/05+Bundles+of+Thanksgiving+dinner+utensils+and+napkins.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few hours before the dinner, I put up three signs that my youngest daughter and I made. It rained before the event, so it's a good thing we used permanent markers, foam board, and adhesive foam leaf stickers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSud08LFWGWtWVUuyW2SepzN87CT8D6OD-P6xN0FttSR9ZgL33uhyphenhyphen2q1TMpvm9733uXVF0Rr1NdDOtWi6vVcxhGCy_UKSIJVFlN8H3g76WLFDguExl75HLiC2Ilvgu3uf0-PHuN2CsXsI/s1600/06+A+Sign+for+community+Thanksgiving+dinner+at+motel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSud08LFWGWtWVUuyW2SepzN87CT8D6OD-P6xN0FttSR9ZgL33uhyphenhyphen2q1TMpvm9733uXVF0Rr1NdDOtWi6vVcxhGCy_UKSIJVFlN8H3g76WLFDguExl75HLiC2Ilvgu3uf0-PHuN2CsXsI/s640/06+A+Sign+for+community+Thanksgiving+dinner+at+motel.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of the serving tables, guest benches and guest tables were transported in a trailer and pickup truck.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtCpycn_tyXGJTWUJKpLXUzUiqK5kD5olM2tyonpSGPAklwkgh5mtoRnAbIxtxKGMFesupsg2ssFfehLipRmKMw0XvaBVUITI-eK5XAQ1h6tV4cEEDxEzOu9zkDa-TYa91nGHhkY40SA/s1600/06+a+Trailer+filled+with+outreach+supplies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtCpycn_tyXGJTWUJKpLXUzUiqK5kD5olM2tyonpSGPAklwkgh5mtoRnAbIxtxKGMFesupsg2ssFfehLipRmKMw0XvaBVUITI-eK5XAQ1h6tV4cEEDxEzOu9zkDa-TYa91nGHhkY40SA/s320/06+a+Trailer+filled+with+outreach+supplies.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The clothes, already on racks from the church's community clothes closet, arrived in the trailer, too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2yvd4KF3TCS17yMfy1yzrDH4PtRfOmrMHp7eQnZ9Ag3QVkJNsV2fP0To_UyC9cd5pdMKvhAgYOJxDQx-BwHL8355LDSPzAJd3Wgxam4x1JeklBFPvGOuZT5G-pKEbn8eGkpci9uG8gQ/s1600/06+b+Clothes+rack+at+community+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2yvd4KF3TCS17yMfy1yzrDH4PtRfOmrMHp7eQnZ9Ag3QVkJNsV2fP0To_UyC9cd5pdMKvhAgYOJxDQx-BwHL8355LDSPzAJd3Wgxam4x1JeklBFPvGOuZT5G-pKEbn8eGkpci9uG8gQ/s400/06+b+Clothes+rack+at+community+outreach.JPG" width="396" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Volunteers checked in at this table to get their name tags and assignments.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGYodkkp1iONrkaiT7O8VbkKKbk1S7YecTr7DCFaysPtQtO69Gf9KDFfIUlS-ueDJXWXlWnIAxQYtgx2CZ_ud4UPmVrj4z2qFgRNFGxKGInBoRsDI3B2d4MirCw_WiaNOMklHP-gq9MY/s1600/06+c+volunteer+table+at+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGYodkkp1iONrkaiT7O8VbkKKbk1S7YecTr7DCFaysPtQtO69Gf9KDFfIUlS-ueDJXWXlWnIAxQYtgx2CZ_ud4UPmVrj4z2qFgRNFGxKGInBoRsDI3B2d4MirCw_WiaNOMklHP-gq9MY/s400/06+c+volunteer+table+at+outreach.JPG" width="388" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This dear lady gathers up "blessing bags" of toiletries to give away each month, and we had food to give this month, too. We all miss her husband, who passed away a few months ago. He was a much loved member of our team.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWscqaHybCSdGtvWNx0RB5YrPOoDf5G_Xi8455rzbNVgFzYVZoiCgb8fTmkQQOgqMbMc99tJv9qkJthTdQcYYIFMo9WcXyNhGioRFByhJHDONhNLWXojpOWv22Mj7vXExShdpknsr5so/s1600/06+Food+and+toiletries+table+at+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWscqaHybCSdGtvWNx0RB5YrPOoDf5G_Xi8455rzbNVgFzYVZoiCgb8fTmkQQOgqMbMc99tJv9qkJthTdQcYYIFMo9WcXyNhGioRFByhJHDONhNLWXojpOWv22Mj7vXExShdpknsr5so/s400/06+Food+and+toiletries+table+at+outreach.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition to the bouquets from the church, I brought along several small table decorations. I'm glad I bought some heavy clear tape too, because it was a bit windy and we had to tape down the plastic table cloths.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj65YCm-LngQCL71ruyRzFkLyZnDwqlNHZry_VMVz8nQI7SsbEg-6tYyCzfXoEhSHc6aQyG1P4n4TlhdYdc648wCxWCnmYHD_45HgqPJjNyVxJ4uVxZIhoFtudpioqA9_Xid4UAuGGcU/s1600/06+Give+Thanks+block+decoration.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj65YCm-LngQCL71ruyRzFkLyZnDwqlNHZry_VMVz8nQI7SsbEg-6tYyCzfXoEhSHc6aQyG1P4n4TlhdYdc648wCxWCnmYHD_45HgqPJjNyVxJ4uVxZIhoFtudpioqA9_Xid4UAuGGcU/s400/06+Give+Thanks+block+decoration.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp-0qb_sixDhpM8cmY7KmxK3UZ6XB_Ylv1HuSJeiEaLYMHwKxrSl0eeYA8QvFXpJePOR-1QGVhhvqDW-eWhsmGkK5FgxrwhHjwLHxa3Hqz_ukO3u88IHN3RE0FGOw3RWN-gjD-izIpyU/s1600/z+Bountiful+Harvest+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp-0qb_sixDhpM8cmY7KmxK3UZ6XB_Ylv1HuSJeiEaLYMHwKxrSl0eeYA8QvFXpJePOR-1QGVhhvqDW-eWhsmGkK5FgxrwhHjwLHxa3Hqz_ukO3u88IHN3RE0FGOw3RWN-gjD-izIpyU/s400/z+Bountiful+Harvest+pumpkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My big scarecrow found a place against a tree.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ9SHsb8KY7_o5VKGJJZ84QLsuyl0uS4zaB7332FsX4bVag42mE1_8_BToLPy02-DCS-Ek0_Q7RQJPmbruQU5RDaegD_BkdwxW0T4kJ-e0LfREBhyAwRkdtrGYrFAUAF7OOk4yWbrOU8/s1600/06+Scarecrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ9SHsb8KY7_o5VKGJJZ84QLsuyl0uS4zaB7332FsX4bVag42mE1_8_BToLPy02-DCS-Ek0_Q7RQJPmbruQU5RDaegD_BkdwxW0T4kJ-e0LfREBhyAwRkdtrGYrFAUAF7OOk4yWbrOU8/s640/06+Scarecrow.JPG" width="299" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids did simple crafts at this table with construction paper, markers, and the rest of the foam leaf stickers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9TkHQ-_7B23cpovH5KCQ9FdoVVA2Qh-PbO6EBi_sLY4Mqi1_FRZCXyUJw6zuM0YPpaOoMNkd-lPuQkPTfL1MqYuqCt6wF4OLiUHiJxtbjXfv3qxUgERxDg90ezHoCoF5hJA0cAbmRg0/s1600/07+Craft+table+at+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9TkHQ-_7B23cpovH5KCQ9FdoVVA2Qh-PbO6EBi_sLY4Mqi1_FRZCXyUJw6zuM0YPpaOoMNkd-lPuQkPTfL1MqYuqCt6wF4OLiUHiJxtbjXfv3qxUgERxDg90ezHoCoF5hJA0cAbmRg0/s400/07+Craft+table+at+outreach.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEBjd2X2ThBg7ycXCX_BySEk-rEX7nJr8g07Xs4rIXFg6VaZashnuERwlQ7n1Zrn_CMGVDHU62yru3RHkNY6Ju3XaZ4PCL48EJbBtTlAga9Pd70TNnEKeiE1zGDhNbeIATWe6q2_Ctf4/s1600/07+Markers+for+children%2527s+craft+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEBjd2X2ThBg7ycXCX_BySEk-rEX7nJr8g07Xs4rIXFg6VaZashnuERwlQ7n1Zrn_CMGVDHU62yru3RHkNY6Ju3XaZ4PCL48EJbBtTlAga9Pd70TNnEKeiE1zGDhNbeIATWe6q2_Ctf4/s320/07+Markers+for+children%2527s+craft+table.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5aYHlo995J2aUwkmpeJBv_WwtG-saSFXMngjgRmPW7yuqGxcX9B9G9JvMSMm9eesrkBOApr4yUWJuRvt8-PZsg6ytg9dqqY7fxALnjGw9yBf9P7xIf3YoAhTcBGE6qEGKMBHrdZGfck/s1600/Coloring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5aYHlo995J2aUwkmpeJBv_WwtG-saSFXMngjgRmPW7yuqGxcX9B9G9JvMSMm9eesrkBOApr4yUWJuRvt8-PZsg6ytg9dqqY7fxALnjGw9yBf9P7xIf3YoAhTcBGE6qEGKMBHrdZGfck/s320/Coloring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time for music! No, the lady in blue is not me, but we are so often mistaken for one another that we call ourselves the "Ginny Twinnies." (Her name is Ginny and Ginny Lynn was my childhood nickname.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPDo2HjYqXKifia4YLIw9a0C6ONAhwMuZwCSrZEJtA-4fouuwnj1rdG94SfmOMzBdHf8rx6o8ZyHD2CJgF_IaJVKgYTJs1SHSXMLO-WLEpgCKRv-s1W5Wnx_Zp0haA37jFMfq-6SwxvI/s1600/z+Singing+and+guitar+at+outreach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPDo2HjYqXKifia4YLIw9a0C6ONAhwMuZwCSrZEJtA-4fouuwnj1rdG94SfmOMzBdHf8rx6o8ZyHD2CJgF_IaJVKgYTJs1SHSXMLO-WLEpgCKRv-s1W5Wnx_Zp0haA37jFMfq-6SwxvI/s400/z+Singing+and+guitar+at+outreach.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here we are together. She's my 20-years-younger-doppleganger.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZWQ6QL9lnG87Xw6LDAlw1x375CDCqDGYK3TJ6PexOMUcSieE9Jcj9NMgVZ7FP1W-isXOobhEFPzVwOg_ybSqhEVqtgldVasCWHsDkjOlUE_vcd3Mpho_gT4G9DCsBKnCs3Pcp8i4X5c/s1600/08b+Ginny+and+Virginia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZWQ6QL9lnG87Xw6LDAlw1x375CDCqDGYK3TJ6PexOMUcSieE9Jcj9NMgVZ7FP1W-isXOobhEFPzVwOg_ybSqhEVqtgldVasCWHsDkjOlUE_vcd3Mpho_gT4G9DCsBKnCs3Pcp8i4X5c/s400/08b+Ginny+and+Virginia.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just some of our dozens of volunteers! The kids love to help! That's my little one in the pink.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCPl_OZp4WvVTeUJcNizEgZVtTUySoTekRk3c1-G6GZ08_ODpXPwh3YJTHG3xDNXukB-vYCddDxjSmSz3DqTRKMGtysjmrV_zm4tvE7EmlYDe3gvodmQDZchOMMs3ElDYHixBVawa0pI/s1600/09+Servers+at+Thanksgiving+dinner+outreach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCPl_OZp4WvVTeUJcNizEgZVtTUySoTekRk3c1-G6GZ08_ODpXPwh3YJTHG3xDNXukB-vYCddDxjSmSz3DqTRKMGtysjmrV_zm4tvE7EmlYDe3gvodmQDZchOMMs3ElDYHixBVawa0pI/s640/09+Servers+at+Thanksgiving+dinner+outreach.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our guests started to gather at the nine tables before the meal. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgOYus0D7lIS0SyKzZJVAJX8NwJdPqWvg8BZyZVANbwUnRcxuzogCs7nP9gNkilsMK30QPREfO_Din_N2GW-GE_2x2ce0vqYQ1BCKiq95rZQGhL9dveym9UN6N8xOhjw2n47iq88esbQ/s1600/10+Gathering+for+Thanksgiving+meal+outside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgOYus0D7lIS0SyKzZJVAJX8NwJdPqWvg8BZyZVANbwUnRcxuzogCs7nP9gNkilsMK30QPREfO_Din_N2GW-GE_2x2ce0vqYQ1BCKiq95rZQGhL9dveym9UN6N8xOhjw2n47iq88esbQ/s640/10+Gathering+for+Thanksgiving+meal+outside.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was so crowded at one point that some people chose to sit on the curbs. This man is one of our regular guests.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiPkRkbYFW1-FV_Vg6EQ3OqcXc9xK64ozGz-1KurAa4pk7auMsWxPh24Qn0ERIt0XG_Y8Ab2ZJS7Rkvq99uGE-TImTErHG1BGlk-OpOYgpX73JP5IuRhiIRD6VzkQ0VM97qkOt4eLs2k/s1600/Z+Man+eating+on+curb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiPkRkbYFW1-FV_Vg6EQ3OqcXc9xK64ozGz-1KurAa4pk7auMsWxPh24Qn0ERIt0XG_Y8Ab2ZJS7Rkvq99uGE-TImTErHG1BGlk-OpOYgpX73JP5IuRhiIRD6VzkQ0VM97qkOt4eLs2k/s400/Z+Man+eating+on+curb.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yum! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzTzs-0DbT9ak2Kddy96odNaopXkFEd3GY-0AIgEWvJdFuZttULyS41MZieK7YRh-Zum4IiH-yHo358e_EnyQ94iJSAFcZd1HASpmSwjW9cpX3SKZWpDZowZyhnjOROQPKomtCxQcENM/s1600/11+Thanksgiving+outreach+dinner+plate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzTzs-0DbT9ak2Kddy96odNaopXkFEd3GY-0AIgEWvJdFuZttULyS41MZieK7YRh-Zum4IiH-yHo358e_EnyQ94iJSAFcZd1HASpmSwjW9cpX3SKZWpDZowZyhnjOROQPKomtCxQcENM/s640/11+Thanksgiving+outreach+dinner+plate.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwquApZliAlDrMV-hOaof6ClbM0qFlwqS7ZI3KQH7x0kz32ESOOn5TrukgqMkoQ_QQAePwVeqvDuZuD_AEaTL-pg4EQO1occzrbakgVZwe96JWOWn_Lbl8iqkQyotibrU9rWORLMwXOvw/s1600/Z+Daniel+preaching+at+outreach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwquApZliAlDrMV-hOaof6ClbM0qFlwqS7ZI3KQH7x0kz32ESOOn5TrukgqMkoQ_QQAePwVeqvDuZuD_AEaTL-pg4EQO1occzrbakgVZwe96JWOWn_Lbl8iqkQyotibrU9rWORLMwXOvw/s320/Z+Daniel+preaching+at+outreach.jpg" width="267" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel offered a short gospel message as people ate, and we offered to talk or pray with anyone who is interested. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR34XVmFXi3e5BPQ4vSY8yqY6OWI6kLqxrZLveXRUBBW-A99MvAHtF5BZ43QGH_gmcWJ-QMomu9goHwCt69h54kfRGxBKp2o7SmVRZx_7i4osqUoT14UKVbKYe-NZmmA4iesXmvYdYmlY/s1600/Z+Praying+with+M+and+M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR34XVmFXi3e5BPQ4vSY8yqY6OWI6kLqxrZLveXRUBBW-A99MvAHtF5BZ43QGH_gmcWJ-QMomu9goHwCt69h54kfRGxBKp2o7SmVRZx_7i4osqUoT14UKVbKYe-NZmmA4iesXmvYdYmlY/s320/Z+Praying+with+M+and+M.jpg" width="302" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I was so blessed to listen to my daughter pray for one older homeless couple about their health problems. They have been my friends for many years and I try to stop and talk whenever I see them on the street corner. Can you please pray for them, too?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhduP3REdL6pJVmk-G6q3x90_KjNAIEcH33UL_BItEO6nERqAfErFaTo10xAJRpEz3MAhI5MYDdDIu5Y4BDl1nRqs4y4IqQSuRbXkWDzsDF0lOYwXVYqPzERaNmjypDdPJGHmPT2tsF9k/s1600/12+Four+people+praying.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhduP3REdL6pJVmk-G6q3x90_KjNAIEcH33UL_BItEO6nERqAfErFaTo10xAJRpEz3MAhI5MYDdDIu5Y4BDl1nRqs4y4IqQSuRbXkWDzsDF0lOYwXVYqPzERaNmjypDdPJGHmPT2tsF9k/s400/12+Four+people+praying.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The young man with the beard and his wife have come for two months, and he was enthusiastically telling me how much the kindness (which goes beyond the monthly meal) has meant to their family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Does it make a difference?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier this year, a young Muslim couple with a young child arrived from a country that is not open to Christianity. They didn't have a permanent place to stay, so they rented a room at the motel. They came to a dinner - I think it was the Easter one - where Ginny and others befriended them. Touched by the good news about Jesus, they eventually chose to become Christians and were baptized. Ginny's church has continued to reach out to them as they start their new lives in this country. The cool thing? They are now a vital part of the Local Impact outreach team.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Think about that when you hear about the Syrian refugee debate.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One final photo. When I saw this photo that my teenage daughter took of her feet in the puddle in the parking lot, it looked like she was standing in a heart shaped shadow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjuFSkZuxqUbG6k1FqlQO5Zx_NyhQXUiBFh3YpyhFxAyc2Z6byMlrGRRI8MtbEf1iMJoBSz0LgQxyYG0IVKNxS8XEScFF0emrDvErsLCW9Hsvr7-KcwBwIYDZ80H-cdYCw2cBSi_HcR8/s1600/13+Black+boots+in+puddle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjuFSkZuxqUbG6k1FqlQO5Zx_NyhQXUiBFh3YpyhFxAyc2Z6byMlrGRRI8MtbEf1iMJoBSz0LgQxyYG0IVKNxS8XEScFF0emrDvErsLCW9Hsvr7-KcwBwIYDZ80H-cdYCw2cBSi_HcR8/s400/13+Black+boots+in+puddle.JPG" width="396" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I thought: <i>That's why we do this. We do this for the heart. We do this for love.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A friend posted on my Facebook wall this evening that she had seen me talking to a man</span><span style="font-size: large;"> at a bus stop today and wanted to thank me for reaching out. I don't know if he was homeless - I didn't ask - but I did tell him about the dinner and asked him to spread the word if anyone else came by. My friend reminded me that <i>we never know who is watching us</i>. She didn't even know about the dinner, but she already knew that I often bring food, water, and supplies to our homeless friends. That opened a conversation thread about what we are doing and why. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love for this to spread to other churches and communities, and that's why I'm writing this! </span><span style="font-size: large;">You can get involved, too! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Read more here!</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/01/13-ways-to-help-people-who-are-homeless.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">13
Ways to Help People Who Are Homeless</span></b></u></span></span></a></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/11/homeless-in-suburbs.html" style="line-height: 150%;">Homeless
in the Suburbs</a></span></b></u></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="background: #ffffff;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekend-gratitude-homeless-outreach-in.html" style="line-height: 150%;">Homeless
Outreach in Downtown Orlando</a></span></b></u></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="background: #ffffff;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-part-2.html" style="line-height: 150%;">Homeless
(Advocating for the Vulnerable)</a></span></b></u></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="background: #ffffff;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-note-wedged-into-window-on-my-van-and.html" style="line-height: 150%;">A
Note Wedged into the Window on My Van (and The Jesus Poem)</a></span></b></u></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="background: #ffffff;"><a href="http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/03/food-health-jobs-and-family-crisis.html" style="line-height: 150%;">Food,
Health, Jobs, and Family Crisis Assistance Resources in Central
Florida</a></span></b></u></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-love-looks-like-reaching-out-to.html" style="line-height: 150%;">What
Love Looks Like: Reaching Out to the Homeless</a></b></u></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 36px;">P.S. I took some of these photos, but others were taken by my teenage daughter Naomi and by my friend Amber Carroll.</span></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-47219127362058523492015-09-21T17:41:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:09:37.243-04:00To the Young Woman with Bruises<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGCVgyhU6HFeo2YxiUCyoD2a3hkBeQb8BKHXZ8pV1LVfCzanRCrOYh0iDAq5dPUgaqytNRb4XgDI5E4ySywmKHo_K7lD9PMPs_vgI7bKM0gp8WTUlbB9poIO59wur6YJ-Y-XDfOaunu4/s1600/Woman+and+man+domestic+violence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGCVgyhU6HFeo2YxiUCyoD2a3hkBeQb8BKHXZ8pV1LVfCzanRCrOYh0iDAq5dPUgaqytNRb4XgDI5E4ySywmKHo_K7lD9PMPs_vgI7bKM0gp8WTUlbB9poIO59wur6YJ-Y-XDfOaunu4/s1600/Woman+and+man+domestic+violence.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="line-height: 100%;">To
the Young Woman with Bruises</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had not intended to be 120 miles from home<br />Late on a Sunday night in an unfamiliar city<br />Sitting in my van with a Monster drink in my hand<br />Trying to wake up enough to drive <br />Back to my cozy bed.<br /><br />I also did not expect to see a young woman: you<br />Standing there in the parking lot<br />Asking for gas money outside my window.<br />At first I said no.<br />I do not often give cash to strangers.<br /><br />You silently turned and slowly walked away<br />It was then I saw the bruises and scrapes<br />On your bared back, and I knew.<br />"Hey! WAIT!" And you turned back to face me.<br />"Are you OK? Has someone hurt you?"<br /><br />You nodded. Your boyfriend beat you again and again.<br />Broken ribs, broken glass, in and out of the hospital.<br />Three years you have been with him. <br />Gone back five times. And I thought, <br />Five times too many. Five times to hell.<br /><br />You needed gas money to leave town. I gave you $20.<br />You asked for a hug. I wrapped my arms around you.<br />Then I rummaged around for bandages and salve.<br />I wished I could heal your wounded heart but I can't.<br />I could only do my small part with love.<br /><br />And I said to you, and I say again now:<br />“Do not go back! You are precious in God's sight.<br />You deserve better. He is not worth it!”<br />And you wept: “I know. But I love him. I keep hoping...”<br />Oh no, sweet one, no. Your monster will not change.<br /><br />If you keep going back, he will keep being cruel.<br />It is his permission to do as he wishes.<br />Why should he change if you come back for more?<br />This is not love. It is bondage.<br />It is far better to be alone than to be abused.<br /><br />Do not go back. No matter what, do not go back.<br />There is a different life ahead of you,<br />A life of freedom and wholeness.<br />Reach out and walk forward with open eyes.<br />You can do this. I will help.<br /></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last night my daughter missed her bus back to college because she had forgotten her motorcycle helmet on my dining room table. Her older sister offered to drive her the two hours but I knew she had studying to do, so I went instead. We took along an Ecuadorian lady who had also missed the bus and was hoping to get to the other station in time for a connection to her final destination. We didn't make it in time, so after my daughter put on her gear and climbed onto her motorcycle, we followed her over to the pastor's home where she lives. My new friend would wait there for her daughter to come get her and drive her to Alabama. She speaks very little English and I speak very little Spanish, but with a radiant smile she told me "Jesus is my life!" and our fellowship was sweet. We ate brownies and sweet tea, exchanged e-mail addresses, and after I was sure she was settled in comfortably, I left. By the time I stopped for my Monster drink on the way home, it was 11:30 PM. After talking to the young woman with bruises, it was past midnight. Exhausted, I eventually ended up pulling over at a rest stop to sleep for a while. I finally got back to my cozy bed at 3:45 AM and slept until noon. It was a crazy night-into-the-morning, but somehow, at each moment, I knew I was in the exact right place at the exact right time. <br /><br />Most of all, I hope that this dear young woman finds safety, peace, and a new life.<br /><br /> A word to the rest of you: Open your eyes. Be aware. Don't be afraid. Offer compassion, not judgment. You can make a difference. </span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: #f9f9f9;">Domestic
Violence Hotline: </span></b></span></span><b style="color: #222222; line-height: 0.19in;"><span style="background: #f9f9f9;">(800)799-7233</span></b></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">Related posts on Watch the Shepherd</span></div>
<br /><ul>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/08/lynns-story-dangerous-engagement-dv.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Lynn's Story: A Dangerous Engagement</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-cant-ignore-domestic-violence.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">We Can't Ignore Domestic Violence</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/bonding-and-bondage-in-abusive.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Bonding and Bondage in Abusive Relationships</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</span></a></li>
</ul>
<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Articles on Other Web Sites</b></span><div style="line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.19in; orphans: 1;">
<b style="color: #222222; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Basic
Information for Victims and Survivors</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf" style="line-height: 150%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
Domestic Violence Fact Sheet</span></b></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ncadv.org/" style="line-height: 150%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">National
Coalition Against Domestic Violence</span></b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm" style="line-height: 150%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Help
Guide: Domestic Violence and Abuse</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><b style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.theraveproject.com/index.php/resources/resource/the_stained_glass_story_of_domestic_violence/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
Stained Glass Story of Domestic Violence</span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://outofthefognow.wordpress.com/" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Out
of the Fog Now</b></span></span></span></a></li>
</ul>
<b style="color: #222222; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
Psychology of Abusive Relationships</span></b><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/InfoDomesticViolence.htm#why" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Why
Women Stay</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/images/wpe6.jpg" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Power
and Control Wheel</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.abuseandrelationships.org/Content/Survivors/trauma_bonding.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b>Trauma
Bonding</b></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></span><span style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;">by
Michael Samsel</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://turningpoint.areavoices.com/2012/10/11/trauma-bonding-children/" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b>Trauma
Bonding, Children & The Lesson in a Mechanical Duck</b></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/gaslighting-definition-techniques-and-being-gaslighted/" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b>Gaslighting
Technique</b></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b>Love
and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser</b></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;">by
Joseph Carver, PhD</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rainn.org/get-information/effects-of-sexual-assault/Stockholm-syndrome" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><b>Stockholm
Syndrome</b></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;">at
RAINN</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 100%;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1131455314616817615.post-9590699422824387092015-09-18T00:18:00.002-04:002019-03-18T10:09:38.485-04:00War Room: Hope or Hype?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprM-OC20fWic2jurH_-5Ol71gX7ZcXMZNV1fWqKB_a57ZfNba7UGrz9mccTWiqJPWBTC3I5BZRy5WRt2CfgV55BrEnAreayV16xJjn-GhQglhwanD1hezKelfpjzbhZ8ujYLT80OxXQM/s1600/War+Room.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprM-OC20fWic2jurH_-5Ol71gX7ZcXMZNV1fWqKB_a57ZfNba7UGrz9mccTWiqJPWBTC3I5BZRy5WRt2CfgV55BrEnAreayV16xJjn-GhQglhwanD1hezKelfpjzbhZ8ujYLT80OxXQM/s1600/War+Room.jpe" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So the War Room movie hit #1 status in the box offices, and that's pretty amazing for an overtly Christian film. Immediately, my Facebook feed filled with glowing endorsements from my friends. "This movie is awesome! You must go see it!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I haven't. Maybe I'll rent it from Redbox when it comes out on DVD. Or not.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not seeing it yet hasn't stopped me from posting reviews on Facebook, all of them less than favorable for various reasons.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some ask why I bother if I haven't seen the movie. They question whether I have the right to an opinion since I obviously don't know what I'm talking about. This amuses me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Others are upset that I post links to articles that supposedly bash Christian efforts at making wholesome films. They diss and dismiss the very valid theological and relational concerns that the reviewers bring up. Critique against a Christian ministry or movie is seen as tantamount to the work of the devil, bordering on heresy, maybe? (Why does this remind me so much of the <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-duggar-story-thoughts-and-links.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Duggar fiasco</span></b></a>?) This does not amuse me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello folks. We are big people. (I think.) We can hash through big ideas, even controversial ones. (I hope.) If you appreciate the movie, fine. I know it has encouraged many and that there are a lot of positive aspects. But at least acknowledge where others are coming from. At least be sensitive to why this movie might trigger fresh trauma in someone who has suffered deeply even in the midst of prayer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think what I have read about the movie has been corroborated enough to warrant a thoughtful discussion of the positive and negative aspects. Here are most of the reviews I linked along with a few extras I just found.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>[Disclaimer: I offer this to read at your discretion. I do not endorse everything in these articles or the blogs on which they appear.]</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://kaybruner.com/blog/2015/9/13/war-room-or-lies-told-to-christians-in-a-movie-theater-on-a-sunday-afternoon" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">War Room: Pretty Little Lies</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></b>by Kay Bruner, a professional Christian counselor</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://anewfreelife.wordpress.com/2015/09/13/why-i-refuse-to-see-war-room/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Why I Refuse to See War Room</span></b></a> at A New Free Life: Rising from the Ashes of Domestic Violence</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/eidos/2015/08/genie-jesus-and-the-war-room-problem/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Genie Jesus and the War Room Problem</span></b></a> by John Mark N. Reynolds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.screenit.com/ourtake/2015/war_room.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">War Room</span></b></a> review at ScreenIt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/aug/28/war-room-review-religion-christianity" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The War Room Review: Shut Up and Pray He Quits</span></b></a> by Jordan Hoffman at the Guardian</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.joelmayward.com/2015/09/the-faith-of-faith-based-films-on.html?m=1" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The "Faith" of Faith-Based Films: On Moralistic Therapeutic Deism in Christian Movies</span></b></a> by Joel Mayward</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://jessicabfry.com/movie-review-the-war-room/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Movie Review: The War Room</span></b></a> by Jessica B. Fry </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my bottom line after reading these reviews, keeping in mind that as I have repeated over and over, I have not seen the movie! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Prayer is not the cosmic vending machine to get you what you want. Prayer is a relationship, not a formula. He is not duty bound to give us what we want, and we might never understand why this side of heaven. The life of prayer is a marathon, not a sprint. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like our relationship with God, human relationships take a whole lot of work. Difficult and dysfunctional marriages take even more work. And time, lots of it. And professional intervention by people who don't spout trite platitudes. And there is still no guarantee that they will be fixed. An offending spouse can change their tune and act like they have reformed for a while to get what they want, and then go right back to pig slop behavior. This is sheer manipulation and hypocrisy, not true repentance. Time and discernment and firm boundaries will prove what is true. It can be a long and messy ordeal. You can't trust mere words, even religious ones. It takes a long time to rebuild trust.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One more thing: I am well aware that there was no physical abuse in the movie marriage and that the wife had her issues too. However, this must be said: If a marriage is dangerous or destructive, the emphasis has to be on the well-being (safety and sanity) of the victim, not reconciliation or sticking it out in the hopes that prayer will solve all of the problems. You say this doesn't happen in devoutly religious families that value the Bible and prayer? Oh yes it does! I have spoken with many Christian domestic violence survivors who sincerely asked God what to do about their marriages and clearly heard him say, "Get out now. Run for your life!" Looking back, they realize they and/or their children would be dead if they hadn't. In many cases, their husbands were very religious, some of them pastors and missionaries. But this kind of "run for your life" ending doesn't play well with a triumphant Christian movie plot, does it? Too bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is misleading and cruel to insinuate that someone with a failing marriage can do a snappy U-Turn to Happily-Ever-After-Land by rebuking Satan and storming the gates of Heaven with fervent intercession. To gloss over the realities of life for the sake of a movie plot or to "put in a good word for God in the middle of a dying world" is a crying shame. It is no credit to God to misconstrue his grace. Christians, let us pray more. But let's also get real about what else we need to do. That's what people are really watching to see if our faith is authentic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't end this post without a good word from the Lord. Two passages that are on my heart right now</span>:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: large;">"He
has told you, O man, </span></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: large;">what is good; and what
does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to
love kindness, and to walk humbly
with your God?" </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Micah
6:8</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Though
the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit
be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and
the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the
fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will
rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy
in the God of my salvation. God,
the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet
like the deer's; he makes me tread on
my high places." </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Habakkuk
3:17-19</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Grace and peace, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Virginia Knowles</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">P.S. Here are some related links on my </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">blogs:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Real Life Relationships:</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/03/recognizing-pervasive-poisonous-power.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recognizing
Pervasive, Poisonous Power in Marriage</span></span></span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-to-do-about-pervasive-poisonous.html" style="line-height: 200%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What
to Do about Toxic Power in Marriage</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/abigails-story-responses-to-domestic.html" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Abigail's
Story: Responses to Domestic Violence</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/07/elizabeths-story-domestic-violence-in.html" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Elizabeth's
Story: Domestic Violence in a Ministry Home</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/02/maras-story-anger-after-abuse-dv-story-4.html" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mara's
Story: Anger After Abuse</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/07/guest-post-by-susan-moore-top-20-very.html" style="line-height: 200%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Top
20 Very Best Things to Say to Someone Who is Struggling (Guest Post
by Susan Moore)</b></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b> -</b></span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b> </b>please
note that this list is facetious!</span></span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/05/banging-buttons.html" style="line-height: 200%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Banging
the Buttons</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If
You Expect Real Respect...</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/follow-way-of-love.html" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Follow
the Way of Love</b></span></span></span></span></a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prayer and Spiritual Growth:</b>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/07/spiritual-warfare-prayer.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>A
Spiritual Warfare Prayer</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-are-you-looking-for.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>What
Are You Looking For?</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/05/praying-for-our-children.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Praying
for Your Children</span></b></span></span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><b> </b></span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/06/got-prayer.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Got
Prayer?</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/04/give-reviving-strength-in-hymn.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Give
Reviving (Strength in Hymn)</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/10/kyrie-eleison-strength-in-hymn.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Kyrie
Eleison (Strength in Hymn)</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2010/05/disillusioned-and-disappointed-take-it.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Disillusioned
and Disappointed? Take It to Jesus!</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/06/gleaning-encouragement-from-scriptures.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Gleaning
Encouragement from Scriptures in Times of Disillusionment</b></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/09/wisdom-from-letters-of-direction-by.html" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Wisdom
from Letters of Direction by Abbé de Tourville</b></span></span></span></a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<h3 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: 1;">
</h3>
<br />
<div style="background-color: #f9f9f9;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">"For
Those Who Suffer"</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">You
are love,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">and
you see all the suffering,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">injustice,
and misery,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">which
reign in this world.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have
pity, we implore you,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">on
the work of your hands.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look
mercifully on the poor,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">the
oppressed, </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">and
all who are heavy laden</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">with
error, labour and sorrow.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fill
our hearts with deep compassion </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">for
those who suffer,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">and
hasten the coming of </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">your
kingdom of justice and truth.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Hand Of Sean;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eugène
Bersier (1831-1889)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 30px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com4