tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58791752515283634582023-11-16T01:13:35.997-06:00stepping out in faithKim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-89804172168993703162023-03-01T13:35:00.000-06:002023-03-01T13:35:42.266-06:00Recycling Suffering into Peace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kZ2vwhcs-1A6oMsFKhW6IhaOdk8BxLtMXiLAmcZPFL0KhhKO14C5uP9VzFJhpXvfe4O1FJ3ttQ_m9QX9g-CcbY6iJEdpURmMPnR8kSj6xT2Pv7cDo2jwbjI-Z6ooqiGNThVX5RAkbNJKDoFvx2KM5-NUiN_AB4_mBwEI5-bHbn32Yr37m4k-jARfXA/s4080/machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kZ2vwhcs-1A6oMsFKhW6IhaOdk8BxLtMXiLAmcZPFL0KhhKO14C5uP9VzFJhpXvfe4O1FJ3ttQ_m9QX9g-CcbY6iJEdpURmMPnR8kSj6xT2Pv7cDo2jwbjI-Z6ooqiGNThVX5RAkbNJKDoFvx2KM5-NUiN_AB4_mBwEI5-bHbn32Yr37m4k-jARfXA/s320/machine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This small paper bag's contents are all that remains
of my faithful sewing machine. The machine that served me so well was diagnosed
with a broken shaft. This diagnosis is the sewing machine equivalent of a
broken leg for a horse. When I went to pick up my unfixable friend, I noticed a
sign about recycling hanging on the shop wall. I was able to empty the bobbin
drawer and leave the machine behind. I like the idea that the metal from my
machine might be reborn into some other useful tool. I hope that in her second
life, she receives better care. She was a faithful servant who helped my
daughter create beautiful formal gowns for dances, repaired my husband's and
son's clothes, and provided me with much stress-relieving activity during grad
school and covid.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The human version of
recycling is, of course, reincarnation. I don't believe in reincarnation, but I
can see its appeal. It might be easier for us to tolerate suffering when we can
imagine a better life next time around. The sufferer is also comforted at the
thought that his persecutors might find themselves in a less enjoyable life.
When we suffer, especially at the hands of others, we want an explanation, and
furthermore, we want our brand of justice to prevail. Yes, reincarnation is a
logical man-made solution to suffering, but its lack of truth leaves us empty.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our pastors are
preaching on the seven letters for Lenten services. This week we hear about
Smyrna, a community that persecuted its Christians from several sides. Here is
part of their letter:</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold,
the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested,
and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will
give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.</span></span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 2:
10-11</span></span></em></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> In this
letter, Jesus does not promise the church relief from suffering. Instead, He
predicts more suffering. This message is not the kind of justice we have in
mind! When we suffer, we want comfort and a promise of relief, not a prediction
of ten more days of something that is likely to be worse. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yet, even in this response, we see God's
benevolence. God is bigger than our suffering. He knows what we are
experiencing and what we are losing, and He knows how long it will last. He
also has a plan for that suffering. We will not experience a second death but
live forever with Him. Oh, and many of those who persecuted us will be with us
in heaven, as will those who received ill-treatment from us. What kind of
justice is that?</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is not justice;
it's justification. The crown of life is not justice because it is not the
punishment we deserve. It is an unimaginable grace. The crown is ours because
of Jesus' death and resurrection.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our suffering draws
us close to Christ, and He sends the Spirit to pray on our behalf. The Spirit
is not concerned with who or what is persecuting us. The Spirit is concerned
with our faith. Our suffering does not promise a second chance at a better
earthly life. That is the kind of goal devised by the human mind. Our suffering
promises us a perfect life that will never end.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I look forward to
hearing the Word tonight at Lenten services. </span>I will listen to my pastor's teaching and let God recycle
my weariness into His peace and joy.</span></span></p>
<p></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-12610875692895943912023-01-19T16:08:00.003-06:002023-02-01T14:02:15.979-06:00Never Ignored<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTePvkFZ4tp2keQ3-xKEq0oazJ6PyamrIilgiUkDkUuLFO44J0_X3d9lpZTOp2FY1J8RdSAGSpHqTe_Xul_Rso3j_rxLTRvYGL1cI0BiWLRr_sXCOupziLPPckCQbO0P0krek2yzM3FNPjWNI8bdNcCQ14RISkAVvIIBkbUO16pFG-6Zbq1vCvSEJg-g/s350/Retinal-Tear-Small.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="350" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTePvkFZ4tp2keQ3-xKEq0oazJ6PyamrIilgiUkDkUuLFO44J0_X3d9lpZTOp2FY1J8RdSAGSpHqTe_Xul_Rso3j_rxLTRvYGL1cI0BiWLRr_sXCOupziLPPckCQbO0P0krek2yzM3FNPjWNI8bdNcCQ14RISkAVvIIBkbUO16pFG-6Zbq1vCvSEJg-g/s320/Retinal-Tear-Small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After
returning from my ophthalmologist's office, I looked for this image online. I
wanted to see what he was explaining about the retinal tear in my eye. A while
ago, after falling asleep to flashing lights, I woke up thinking my eye had
become the embodiment of Luke 6:41 because it appeared I had a log in my eye.
The doctor reports that while the tear in my retina will heal, the fuzzy spot
in my eye will not.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A week
later, I can comfortably work with the fuzzy log in my eye, even though I am
acutely aware it is there. I understand that my brain can inhibit noticing this
abnormality, but it seems to be taking its time getting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just don’t ask me to remove a speck from your
eye. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is
fascinating to me how the inhibition of sensory memory works. For every waking
moment, our brain is sifting through tons of sensory information and deciding
what is worth attention and what will be inhibited. If this didn't happen, we
would be unable to think through all the sensory noise. For instance, if you
feel a tiny rock in your shoe, your brain will not likely inhibit this
information. You need to get rid of the rock to protect your feet. But, if you
are in a place where it would not be polite to disrobe your feet, you will find
difficulty ignoring the rock. Once you take care of things, you immediately
stop paying attention to the feel of your socks. This action clears up space in
your brain allowing better learning and interaction.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I wonder if
so many people dream that they find themselves in public without pants is
because once our brains make sure we are wearing pants, we stop paying
attention to the feel of them. So, if we are not noticing the feel of pants in
a dream, it would be logical to assume they are missing. I don't know because I
studied cognition instead of dreams in my psychology classes. But I do know
that our brains are very good at ignoring things that are always there. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My peace is
that even though God designs my brain to learn to ignore, God never ignores me.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wondrously show Your
steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at
Your right hand. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of
Your wings. Psalm 17: 7-8</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Packed
into these verses of Psalm 17 are two ways God does not ignore us. First, His
love is steadfast. A steadfast love is not only unwavering; it is active. This
love is the polar opposite of ignoring because it is a love that misses
nothing. Steadfast love also pays close attention because it constantly acts on
our behalf. Steadfast love is one of my favorite descriptions for God because
steadfast is everything I’m not.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
second assurance in these verses is in the phrase “apple of your eye.” The
apple refers to the pupil; we use this phrase to indicate someone we cherish.
Our eyes are precious because of the information they transmit to the brain,
but they must be exposed to the world to work. Because of this, our body
diligently protects the eye. Any movement will cause us to blink or turn our
heads. Even when we are not actively thinking about our eyes, the brain is
still alert to protect them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Think
about the peace involved in being the apple of the eye of a steadfast God. He
is always there. He is always paying attention. He </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is
always acting on our behalf. We are loved and loved fiercely.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
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<p></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-23756446067280483092022-12-19T11:55:00.006-06:002022-12-19T17:47:09.708-06:00Joy in a Time of Struggle<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="text"><i></i></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="text"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-OCy5XuEtn_ewgnActN0eIK_pTDkyreqUofVtLYGKo6SPnIRgOi7AALUY86ZQySlIwbgyV-lu6OuHUMyfvIBDQvZmny9u2KIiYxnzhr_QS-mh5ULVG5-f6s4a6UeaJloB92SplfGXB73HxPfHIgt6p4Ivy-rwNTDOpj9Ymvz1v8WE2mLARQC6vNK8A/s1500/affc6fe4-00b5-4ead-858a-6f115397a864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-OCy5XuEtn_ewgnActN0eIK_pTDkyreqUofVtLYGKo6SPnIRgOi7AALUY86ZQySlIwbgyV-lu6OuHUMyfvIBDQvZmny9u2KIiYxnzhr_QS-mh5ULVG5-f6s4a6UeaJloB92SplfGXB73HxPfHIgt6p4Ivy-rwNTDOpj9Ymvz1v8WE2mLARQC6vNK8A/w503-h214/affc6fe4-00b5-4ead-858a-6f115397a864.jpg" width="503" /></a></i></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="text"><i><br />And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for all the people.</i></span><i> <span class="text"><sup><span> </span></sup>For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.</span> Luke 2: 10-11</i></span></span><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Joy is the emotion we most often associate with Christmas. After all, it is the day we rejoice over the birth of the Messiah. In an infant's first cry, God set the stage for a permanent change in our status with our Creator. The saving work of Jesus transforms us from hopeless sinners to hope-filled children of God. No other event in this world could produce a stronger joy.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Some of us may struggle with feeling joy this Christmas. How can we be expected to feel joy amid grief over losing a loved one? Where do we find joy while enduring a life-threatening illness? And what about those people whose life situations increase the burden of their depression? Can we, or should we, manufacture joy? Is it permissible not to feel joy at Christmas?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />Emotions are tools of our brain for reacting to people, news, and situations. We can regulate our emotions by helping them to fit a situation better. However, each emotion has its authenticity and purpose. As Ecclesiastes 3: 4 reminds us, there is a time for both sadness and joy. Our emotions are there for a reason. Our grief, worry, and sadness can all draw us closer to God as we realize our need for His love and mercy</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">. <br />I think of Christmas joy differently. This joy is not something we create – joy is something we receive. Joy is not only the reaction to grace; it is grace. The remembrance of the birth of the Christ Child brings us joy even in the darkest of circumstances. That joy is real even when mixed with grief or weariness. Jesus' birth and what it brings to us are true even when we don't feel like celebrating. Because Christmas joy is a gift from God, it is not emotionally exclusive. We can feel seemingly opposite emotions simultaneously. However, the emotions change each other. We may not feel the exuberant joy of a much hoped-for gift or the tearful joy in the embrace of a loving reunion. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Instead, we find the quiet, soul-saturating joy of communion and the realization of the depth and breadth of God's love for us. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we have a place at His sacred table. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />We can experience joy in both the best and worst of circumstances. This "good news of great joy" is a joy that marks an awareness of God's amazing grace. It is not so much an excited, euphoric joy but a quiet mindfulness of God's saving and healing love emanating from the bed of the newborn Christ child and echoing in the Easter tomb.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">But the
angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who
was crucified.</span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span class="text">He is not here, for he has
risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he<sup> </sup>lay.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span> </span></sup>Then go quickly
and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going
before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”</span> <span class="text"><sup><span> </span></sup>So they departed
quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Matthew 28: 5-8</span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-1752169227865558502022-01-06T12:00:00.002-06:002022-01-06T12:00:39.320-06:00Mary's Lesson on Primary Emotions<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9NIcD8GhXkYDS_BWCzsyDFk9Y-3fcBHcmb0g390o0kPufuiM9nQdIN02LgsWNe6XUJnQet_IdDdIbwjos1zPzepMxaDm52l1Am0ps1qdgJ-N-_kMk86jRgbywD8EbGxCMpqn2gM0F1f1-DyIlhLeFhd7IGYCVZsd19LfcwMlJFQXaGXEGreUmuLl7-g=s299" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="217" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9NIcD8GhXkYDS_BWCzsyDFk9Y-3fcBHcmb0g390o0kPufuiM9nQdIN02LgsWNe6XUJnQet_IdDdIbwjos1zPzepMxaDm52l1Am0ps1qdgJ-N-_kMk86jRgbywD8EbGxCMpqn2gM0F1f1-DyIlhLeFhd7IGYCVZsd19LfcwMlJFQXaGXEGreUmuLl7-g" width="217" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> Today we celebrate Epiphany, but my heart is still with Mary's song.
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<![endif]--><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i>And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O
favored one, the Lord is with you!”</i></span><i> <span class="text">But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried
to discern what sort of greeting this might be.</span> <span class="text">And the
angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luke 1: 28-30</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">As I read this familiar passage of the
Christmas story, I am struck by Mary’s emotions. One moment she was a young
woman preparing for married life, and the next, she was trying to comprehend
the words of an angel. Mary reacted in fear and confusion, certainly an
appropriate response given the circumstances. Our emotions are a gift from God
that help us to absorb a situation. However, emotions do not always feel like a
gift, especially when they are intense.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">It is not unusual for us to take a strong
emotion and change it to something more comfortable. Mary might have turned her
fear into anger and focused on the new challenges of her life. She was to be an
unwed mother at a time that did not treat that circumstance with mercy and
kindness. From an earthly perspective, her life was in ruins. Instead, she let
go of fear in favor of praise as seen in a psalm sung for Elizabeth.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i>And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1: 46</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">God turned her fear into rejoicing. Because
of this, Mary moved outside of her own needs and considered how she was to have
a role in divine mercy. She did not dwell on the days and months ahead. She did
not dwell on her sacrifices, difficult conversations, or how God imposed this
situation on her. Instead, she rejoiced in the fulfillment of God’s promises
growing beneath her heart.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">This particular part of the Christmas story
sticks out for me this year. I have spent much time working with teachers to
understand the emotions they see in the colleagues, students, and parents with
whom they work. We have talked about how we are apt to replace our initial
emotion with one that makes us feel we have more control over an out-of-control
situation. The problem is the second emotion doesn’t fit, so we have to find a
way to justify it. For example, our fear about a pandemic becomes anger, and we
look for someone to blame – scientists, health experts, pastors, teachers,
government leaders, and even loved ones. But, of course, this anger and blame
do little to address the issue that brought about the fear. Instead, it keeps
us from trusting in God’s plan. When we fail to trust, we miss out on the
blessings God prepared for us. Imagine the grief Mary would have created if she
had not put her trust in God’s benevolence. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">Mary had God’s messenger to help her move
past the fear and confusion to see God’s ultimate plan. Mary also had a strong
faith that moved her emotional state into gratitude and joy. We don’t have an
angel encouraging us to process our fear through faith, but we do have God’s
Word. God’s Word has power over our fear and anger. God’s Word always points us
to the saving work of Jesus. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">I am intrigued by Mary’s song because even
though the event happened to her, the song is about what God was doing. She saw
blessing in being a servant to her God, no matter the circumstances.<span> </span>Her song sang the praise of what God’s mercy
accomplished through the work of the Christ Child. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i>And His mercy is for those who fear Him from
generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered
the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Luke 1: 50-51.</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">In Mary’s response, we see the best course
of action for dealing with any chronic struggle. We set aside anger and trade
fear for trust. God’s plan is complete and ancient. He brings good out of all
circumstances because He can do no less for the children He loves. The baby in
the manger came to fight and win all battles for us. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text">The Magnificat teaches us that our God
delivers His people amid suffering and disappointment. But Mary’s song points
to an attitude we can adapt to better process challenges. We can trust in God
and look for ways to serve His people. We, too, can be a part of God’s work. We
do this not out of a spirit of fear or obligation but as a result of the joy of
being a child of God. Because of Jesus, we find ourselves living in God’s
favor, covered by His righteousness. This favor is the source of our gratitude
and joy.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-77306231847891584692021-05-29T16:30:00.011-05:002021-05-29T18:22:37.494-05:00Finding Rest <p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoakEk6_w74JKTOZW6U0Zq_o3QxYUdrbpTHqUOT3dGB3MtZnL0mRCaV0GkBewn35QVf0wYlspwYFtEQDxmGBnu6JQJGGWAWFBpshl5A7X4UZ7AgVXjW19ruAJx3rLwaLwxViaM_KI6Vqr/s1024/Yoke-for-post-1024x517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoakEk6_w74JKTOZW6U0Zq_o3QxYUdrbpTHqUOT3dGB3MtZnL0mRCaV0GkBewn35QVf0wYlspwYFtEQDxmGBnu6JQJGGWAWFBpshl5A7X4UZ7AgVXjW19ruAJx3rLwaLwxViaM_KI6Vqr/w504-h256/Yoke-for-post-1024x517.jpg" width="504" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--></p><p>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">When we
fear, when we worry, when we grieve, we feel burdened. Our thoughts seem to add
extra weight to every limb in our body. It can become a challenge to lift our
arms, even our faces, in prayer. It takes more effort to think, to work, even
to breathe. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">It's not just one thing that weighs us down. It is dozens
of things, some small, some unfixable, and some that point to future grief.
Then along comes one more little challenge, and suddenly our knees buckle under
the weight. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I spent the last week up in and out of the medical world.
I tried to take my mom to a doctor's appointment, and she was too ill to go.
The next day, we were determined to get her to her post-surgery appointment to
find out what was going on. While there, she nearly collapsed, and her blood
pressure reading caused the nurse to call 911. We spent the rest of the day in
ER. The next day before I had a chance to visit my mother in the hospital, my
husband's 90-year-old aunt calls to tell me she has chest pain. We spent
another day in the ER. Thankfully both are home, but as is often the case with
the elderly, there are no clear answers. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">No
clear answers mean no solution. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">No
solution means it might happen again.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Meanwhile, I am experiencing sticker shock at the
pharmacy, fielding phone calls from home healthcare nurses, and trying to
access medical portals, which I personally believe are the work of the devil. I
don't need one more thing in my life where following all the directions means
I'm still wrong. I’m a former kindergarten teacher and we are all about
following directions!</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Throughout all of this, I wonder why an older adult
dismissed from the hospital without a diagnosis for what happened at a doctor's
office that earned her an ambulance ride now has three more doctor appointments
scheduled with two in one day. As you can see, the burden on my brain means my
thoughts are little more than a run-on sentence.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">So what am I crying about? My washer died. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I am so very tired of anything medical: hospital smells,
doctor's offices without handicap accessibility, no parking at the ER,
wheelchairs, and bare-bones staffing at assisted living centers. I have two
loved ones with iffy health conditions, but it is a washer stuck on a spin
cycle that does me in. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I am burdened by the health situation of people I love,
the challenges of caring for them during covid. I am weighed down by lost
income, rejections, and just plain nastiness of the past year. So it is a bit
surprising that a load of jeans soaking in denim blue water makes me say</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> I can't even</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">But isn't that the way it so often is? Life grows hectic,
and we burden ourselves with the yoke of responsibility and get to work.
Burdens pile on, and we dig deeper into our strength reserves. Before we
realize it, the yoke we put on ourselves is too heavy to bear.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">But, the yoke we carry around is made of the law. It is
made of our sins, mistakes, pride, foolishness, and weaknesses. We think we are
bearing the burden successfully, but in reality, we are not even close. We
finally see the true picture when one more thing lands on our backs. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and
My burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30, ESV</span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">These three verses don't make sense, do they? How is
Jesus going to give us rest by giving us a new yoke to wear? If Jesus takes my
handcrafted yoke and replaces it with another one, won't I just be burdened
differently?</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The answer, of course, is no!</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The yoke I make for myself is heavy and full of regret,
shame, and if I'm honest – anger. Jesus takes that yoke off my shoulders and
sets it down at the foot of the cross. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The yoke that Jesus gives me is the yoke of grace. In
faint letters carved into it, we see mercy, forgiveness, agape love, strength,
and peace. We don't feel the weight of these things because we did not create
them. They are a gift from the Savior who earned them for us.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with
the Spirit. Galatians 5: 25, ESV<br /></span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Wearing the yoke of Jesus, we not only experience
remarkable gifts, but we also find ourselves walking in step with the Spirit.
This path is a gift the law and our effort can never accomplish. Here we find
rest. Here we find renewal and belonging. Here we find our path. We see the
light that Jesus has borne before us. The light He bears for us now. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We find
peace and we cry tears of relief and joy.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">With this yoke, I can face whatever medical issues pop
up next week. I can transport to appointments, hold hands, fill out forms, and
maybe even face some of those medical portals. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I might even find a replacement
washer – in stock – with free delivery!</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Thank you, Jesus.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehhAu2pSIBbTSW8m_wPv-SaQiPnrjjBk0zCU-IHPPY3oYnNlxIZa5BfGPjDj45C9nBGASvYG_1RJy9JEhWIW-axRV7-W7fGC0ZVM7UjT-XRznGaQEGcXwTPk-B5mDp4GKOz11geckDxL7/s600/weary-joy-3D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehhAu2pSIBbTSW8m_wPv-SaQiPnrjjBk0zCU-IHPPY3oYnNlxIZa5BfGPjDj45C9nBGASvYG_1RJy9JEhWIW-axRV7-W7fGC0ZVM7UjT-XRznGaQEGcXwTPk-B5mDp4GKOz11geckDxL7/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /> Caregivers carry an extra burden even as their work is done with love. Weary Joy is a book that brings you insight and peace as each chapter reminds you of God's love and what He does through you.</span></span></span><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009" target="_blank">Weary Joy </a><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Amazon Kindle Concordia Publishing House<br /></span></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-66271029559135063692020-12-20T14:27:00.001-06:002020-12-20T14:27:39.408-06:00And a Merry Covid Christmas to All<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9uIYaAXVlP8t0ylcR3Bsn0ntNZvVINcDv893FOml8F7kYgXdDLQTlsfyLhh9GBtBesegOHNeBHj2_FYHBXpuktE4dzGX5qtQOaz1W_PjxOiWq90b10oJjvwuzFHPRFRWqQPJ23p0ySSh/s1600/covid-christmas_orig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9uIYaAXVlP8t0ylcR3Bsn0ntNZvVINcDv893FOml8F7kYgXdDLQTlsfyLhh9GBtBesegOHNeBHj2_FYHBXpuktE4dzGX5qtQOaz1W_PjxOiWq90b10oJjvwuzFHPRFRWqQPJ23p0ySSh/w490-h245/covid-christmas_orig.png" width="490" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<![endif]--><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We read the
story of the birth of Jesus condensed into a few chapters, but it was several
years of perplexing times. It began with unnerving visits from angels and the
difficulty of dealing with an unplanned pregnancy scandal.<span> </span>Once the Nazareth gossip mill moved on to
other juicy news, the pair faced new challenges.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A government
mandate forced Joseph to shut down his business while he and pregnant Mary
traveled to Bethlehem. It was likely several years before they returned home,
and his family's finances recovered.<span> </span>The
trip to Bethlehem must have left them emotionally and physically depleted, as
they arrived in a town overflowing with people. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Certainly,
in the throes of labor, young Mary wished with all her heart that these
circumstances had not separated her from her mother.<span> </span>Nothing felt familiar or safe or comfortable
as she laid her newborn son in the scratchy hay of a manger.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
problematic years continued as political strife tore the community apart due to
Herod's edict sentencing so many infants to death.<span> </span>It is likely that everyone in the surrounding
area knew of someone who had experienced a loss. Yet, thanks to the warning of
strange visitors and a message in a dream, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were safe
and creating a new life in Egypt. Mary and Joseph may not have understood all
that happened and did not know what lay ahead, but they knew they had Jesus.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The year
2020 has been a hard time for many of us. Some have seen a minor change in work
schedules. Others have had lives turned upside-down with school at home, lost
income, or separations from loved ones. Too many families have experienced
severe illness or death of a loved one. Like Mary and Joseph, we have dug deep
into our emotional reserves to steel ourselves for surviving. We wonder months
later when the difficult things of this year will end, and we will be able to
return to the familiar. We are still in the middle of the story. We may not
know when the struggles of this year will end, but we do know we have Jesus.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">That baby in
the manger becomes the Savior on the cross. This hard time pales in comparison
to the sacrifice of Christ. We stand in awe of a God who insists on loving us
despite our weaknesses and failures. He loves us enough to send His Son to save
and His Spirit to fill our hearts with strength and faith. The peace of this
truth far outweighs our current experience. We are loved and loved perfectly.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Our prayers
during this hard time are earnest and frequent. We pray for strength and safety
and the peace that comes from knowing the end of the story. We long for the day
when we can sum up this year in a few chapters of anecdotes, and we can see how
God helped us to grow in our faith. We hope for this peace for you and yours,
too. Like Mary and Joseph, we do not know how our story will proceed, but we
know we have Jesus. God's word is trustworthy and true.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>And night will be no more. They will
need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they
will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy
and true.” Revelation 22: 5-6a</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-66673579974092408192020-12-10T15:26:00.002-06:002020-12-10T15:26:43.195-06:00Gratitude and Praise for the Win<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IsRP6wuSBIo" width="320" youtube-src-id="IsRP6wuSBIo"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I saw this clip and could think of little else besides 2020.
Some days it seems that no matter what we try in order to survive, we get
knocked down by a new circumstance of this bizarre year.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever this guy is trying to achieve, we’ve got to give him credit for his persistence and enthusiasm.
He seems to rush into each attempt as if he expects it to result in joy. He
does not seem to mind finding himself half-naked and face-first on the mat,
again, and again, and again. In a way, he is practicing Positive Psychology.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am fascinated by Positive Psychology. Many branches of
Psychology focus on what is not working: neurosis, anxiety, and other
disorders. Positive Psychology looks at what’s right and why it works. Here we
find the tools God gives us to survive: resilience, problem-solving, gratitude, and
other coping skills.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not sure the man in the clip shows gratitude, but I
know that gratitude is one of the most important of all of our coping skills.
We do ourselves good when we feel or even express gratitude. Our emotions work
carefully with our brains to not only help us learn but to help us react.
Gratitude is an interesting emotion because it is also something we can
practice. We feel gratitude, and that encourages us to practice it (e.g., say
“thank you”), but we can also practice gratitude to feel it. For instance, the
more we thank people, the more settled we become in our resiliency because we remind ourselves of people who care about us. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Praise has a similar practice/feeling connection. We are
less likely to think of praising unless we make a point of practicing praise.
This thinking puts a marker, of sorts, on our brain to look for good things to
use for compliments. When we look for and praise good things, we develop good
feelings. It is a beautiful loop of encouragement. Praising someone else makes
us feel better.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">When we practice praise or gratitude, we strengthen
particular neural pathways that will be activated when needed.<span> </span>We physically fill our brains with neurons
connected to happiness and confidence. Psychologists will say this broadens the
mind because it allows us to feel good emotions even during a negative
situation. We do not ignore the negative. Instead, the negative gets connected
to healthy emotions, such as a sense of peace and confidence.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have read about this connection between practicing and
feeling and brain changes, but I find the most compelling evidence in
scripture.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We can see this in the Psalm below. Psalm 85 is likely from the time
after the Babylonian exile. While I am sure those who returned experienced joy,
their reality was complicated and tough. They came back to a barren and
desolate land with no temple for worship. Look how the psalmist begins to put
things into perspective:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></p><p align="center" class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">, you were favorable to Your land;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">You
restored the fortunes of Jacob.</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15274">You forgave the iniquity of Your people;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">You
covered all their sin. </span><span class="selah">Selah</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15275">You withdrew all Your wrath;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">You
turned from Your hot anger.</span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p align="center" class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="en-ESV-15276"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Restore us again, O God of our
salvation,</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
put away Your indignation toward us!</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15277">Will You be angry with us forever?</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15278">Will You not revive us again,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">that Your people may rejoice in You?</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15279">Show us Your steadfast love, O </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
grant us Your salvation.</span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
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He seeks out what<span> </span>is good amid the strife:</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span><span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span></span></p><p align="center" class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Let me hear what God the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"> will speak,</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">but
let them not turn back to folly.</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-15281"> </span></sup>Surely His salvation is
near to those who fear Him,</span></span></i></span></p><p align="center" class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><span class="text">that glory may dwell in our land. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text"></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span>And look what the change in emotional
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<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Steadfast love and faithfulness
meet;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">righteousness
and peace kiss each other.</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15283">Faithfulness springs up from the ground,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
righteousness looks down from the sky.</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15284">Yes, the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> will give
what is good,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
our land will yield its increase.</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-15285">Righteousness will go before Him</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
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</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Practicing gratitude and praise when it feels more appropriate to
wallow in sadness and worry creates a path for God’s steadfast love and faithfulness meet our need.
His plan is to care for us and to do so in a way that helps us to grow stronger. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>It is easy and natural to feel gratitude and praise when things go well, yet we
often forget to practice them when we are distracted by the good in our life.
When we neglect the practice of gratitude and praise, we are too likely to
begin to have faith in our ability to create good things. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="line"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">When we experience grief and worry we are not so tempted to credit
ourselves through praise. When we feel sadness, anxiety, or frustration, we can
stop and give credit where credit is due. Not to blame God for troubles, but to
remember and revel in His gracious mercy. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="line"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Take advantage of this time of frustration and practice gratitude and praise. Then watch God help you grow. Use
scripture as your tool, and God will grow your faith, also.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="line"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">God’s peace and strength are ours. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"> </span></i></span></p>
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<![endif]--></div><p></p>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-32624608405393844012020-11-02T15:22:00.001-06:002020-11-02T15:22:41.741-06:00Vote. Pray. Trust.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkU3tARljaRNjwvkw4Pl5KO8ymrzQtz-f1VuXigJm-Y7K-JzBOqsPyPvZbvQ6clF361aBUxGhN5ginZWSVgGLogo2dMooIsRV2biXJmrU93mRUV622brx4tAsD3KfavQb2i8W4wHy4A7B/s299/vote2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkU3tARljaRNjwvkw4Pl5KO8ymrzQtz-f1VuXigJm-Y7K-JzBOqsPyPvZbvQ6clF361aBUxGhN5ginZWSVgGLogo2dMooIsRV2biXJmrU93mRUV622brx4tAsD3KfavQb2i8W4wHy4A7B/s0/vote2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The
post was one of those rare breaths of fresh air on social media. </span><a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/gods-not-worried-about-the-election" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Chad
Bird's piece</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> was a
short, thoughtful essay reminding us that God is all-powerful, and trustworthy.
The post was a beautiful reminder of a God who is sovereign over both the
right-hand kingdom (the Kingdom of God) and the left-hand kingdom (the kingdom
of earth.) </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The first comment after the post was a "yes,
but" comment. It assured agreement but reminded us that we
still need to remember that one party is evil and the world will collapse if
the wrong party wins the election.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just say
"no" to “yes, buts.” </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Either you believe that God is in charge, or you don't.
Either you believe that He created the world and knows more about what the
world needs than we do, or you don't. Either you trust Him to protect His
people through all manner of turmoil, or you don't.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">You can't have it both ways. We can't trust in God AND
lean on our own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We must stop saying, "Yes, God is good, but did you
read this article or listen to this political pundit?" We must stop
worrying that God does not see all of the junk on our newsfeeds. He sees it and
He knows that little of it is true. God knows all people involved. He knows the
candidates' true motives from both sides, He knows the intent of people in both
parties, and He loves us anyway. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Even
though we are all sinners, He loves us anyway.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">When God works in the left-hand kingdom, He does not need
our votes. He asks us to vote because it is good to be obedient to the process,
but He doesn't need us to save the world for Him. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">God is good. God is good all the time. And His goodness
is especially evident when we humans are not good.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">If we are concerned about what will happen after the
election, it would be good to practice some self-examination. Ephesians 4:
25-32 has some convicting content. Here are the guidelines I need to hear:</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you
speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.</span></span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">When it comes to posting about politics – DON’T! Such
posts don't change any minds, are likely full of untrue statements, and only
serve to push us away from each other. God created us to be in fellowship – not
to be on a debate team.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on
your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.</span></span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We can be angry about politics, but anger is useless and
potentially harmful when we are angry with our friends or family about politics. It's not good vs. evil. If it is a human endeavor, it's not going to be good.<br /></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor,
doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share
with anyone in need.</span></span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">As much as possible make sure your actions are good. Stay busy with the work God sets before you. There are
people in your vicinity who need care and words and actions, reminding them of
God's grace. Political posts don't change people; the Gospel changes people.
Live the Gospel.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only
such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace
to those who hear.</span></span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">If it isn't supportive, if it doesn't make things better,
if it takes a side or tries to make a complicated issue simplistic, it is not
helpful. Remember that name-calling and insults are signs of contempt, and
contempt leaves no room for love. Live love.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you
were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger
and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. </span></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Consider that you grieve the Holy Spirit when you
pronounce one party more Christian than the other. Both parties are full of
sinful, deluded, misguided humans. God is God, and we are not. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4: 25-32</span></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We are forgiven. The Saving Blood of Jesus covers our
awful sins and nasty motivations. We belong to a powerful God who made us, loves us, and protects us. Through our Savior's actions and the Word and
Sacraments, we are set apart by the Spirit.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We are not the people of "yes, but." We are the
people of "yes, and."</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Yes, I am a sinner, and I am forgiven.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Yes, the world is chaotic, and God is in charge.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Yes, I want to see a change in this world and God can
make that happen.(Maybe He will use me to do it.)<br /></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Lord
Jesus Christ, show me how to be part of the change You know the world needs.
Not a political change, but a spiritual one. Not with hope placed in a
politician, but with the assured hope of the resurrection.</span> Amen. Amen.
Amen.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"></span>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-17869756852592190922020-05-19T13:11:00.000-05:002020-06-05T15:01:11.371-05:00We Find No Answers in Fear or Anger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0e101a;">We just
want answers. We just want to know what is right, what is helpful, what we
should do.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Does it help to wear masks? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0e101a;">Should
we continue to stay at home? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0e101a;">Should
we have a soft opening? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0e101a;">Or
maybe we should throw caution to the wind and return to long lost routines with
no precautions?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">This politician says one thing. This scientist says
another. I read an article on social media, but I am not sure about the
accuracy because it was snarky and insulting, and mean. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Some people are living in fear, and we show that fear in
different ways. Some fear leaving home; some fear government intrusion; some
fear deep seated conspiracy.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We just want to know what to do. Is that asking too much?
Apparently, it is.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Almost 25 years ago, our three-year-old son started
having seizures, and I wanted answers.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I read over a dozen books, including a medical text I
could barely understand. I developed a new vocabulary but found few answers.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I asked every doctor along the way, every question
possible. I felt sure God would show us the answers through medicine and science.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I wanted this fixed. I wanted my bright, bouncy son back.
I wanted to tuck worry away in a drawer and no longer wear over my shoulders
like a heavy winter coat.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Instead, we got a problem that lasted several years.
There were many tests, wrong medicines, right medicines with breakthrough
seizures, doctor changes, side effects, and hours of worry. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">In the end, a doctor’s confusing words began to make
sense: “I guess they call it idiopathic because we doctors are idiots when it
comes to figuring it out.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Doctors are not idiots, neither are scientists, neither
are politicians. This wasn’t a hoax; it wasn’t a plot; there were no evil
people forcing their will on my child. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">It was epilepsy, the result of sinners living in a
broken, sinful world. We found few answers. Rather, we found ourselves in a
situation of merely doing our best and praying for God’s intervention. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I didn’t find answers to my questions, but I did get an
answer to my prayer.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Our current situation leaves us searching for answers
from science, from medicine, from politics, or social media. When our sources
do not agree, we become angry, or suspicious, or fearful. We want simple, clear
answers, but instead we get confusion and accusation.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Politicians from both sides of the aisle are doing their
best. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t making mistakes, but it is not helpful
to assign evil intent.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Science and medicine seek answers but do not always have
them. There is never one medical research study that gives the definitive
answer – science doesn’t work that way. Science and medicine consult research,
pose theories, devise practice, and dive in. The constant collection of data,
during the process of an event, continues to inform the process. That is how
the directive on masks changes over time. It is just an improvement in
understanding. It is not a sign of everything from that source being incorrect.
Nor is it a sign of evil intent.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0e101a;">In the
end there is no perfect solution. Masks don’t work all the time. Social
distancing doesn’t work all the time. What works for some people might not work for all. But, together, these practices make us
safer than if we were to ignore them.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">When we react in fear or anger, when we begin to believe
and spread conspiracy, we are following a useless path.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt;">I have learned in whatever situation I
am to be content. Philippians 4:11b</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0e101a;">These
are powerful words from a man who understood oppression and deprivation.
Through all of his suffering, Paul found not anger or fear, but contentment.
There is much that Philippians chapter four can teach us about how to find
contentment in the age of COVID19.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will
say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:4-6</span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true"></span></u><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Now is our chance to live these verses and not just
recite or sing them!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Be reasonable:</span></i></b><span style="color: #0e101a;">
Avoid words of anger, blame, sarcasm, and insult. These words come from fear,
and chronic fear rarely points us to the right answer. If you read or hear any
of these emotional words – move on.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><i><b>Do not be anxious</b></i>: This is not the time to doubt God's providence in our world. Listen to and obey people in authority while you put your trust in God. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Let your request be made known to God</span></i></b><span style="color: #0e101a;">: Study His word and pray. We must accept that even
though God has blessed us with medical and scientific knowledge, the world is
not a perfect source of answers. We will not find a COVID19 Bible verse, but we
will find peace.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these
things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 8-9</span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Whatever is true</span></i></b><span style="color: #0e101a;">:
Sing hymns, memorize scripture, attend online services – do these things
instead of reading questionable material on social media or listening to
political pundits who get attention from shocking people with words that are
shy of the truth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Whatever is honorable</span></i></b><span style="color: #0e101a;">: Stop fighting the people who seek to care for you. God
does not promise to give us sinless politicians or infallible scientists.
Instead, He cares for us through the life and work of people whose brokenness
resembles ours. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Whatever is lovely</span></i></b><span style="color: #0e101a;">:
Turn your attention toward the needs of others. Donate food to a food bank.
Call or write an elderly couple from your church. Pray for caregivers and check on
neighbors. God has given us many ways we can care for each other. When we are
busy caring – our hearts do not have enough room for fear or anger to take up long-term residence.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt;">And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">This peace is Paul’s secret to finding contentment in
every situation. God’s peace seeks to guard our hearts against anger, from
fear, from distrust. God does not expect us to achieve this on our own. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Our
lives are hard in many ways, but our God is bigger than the hard things and tough situations. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">He is the God of answered prayers. He is the God of
peace. He is the God of strength. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13</span></i><br />
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-26207817399173855222020-04-20T16:24:00.000-05:002020-04-22T13:15:34.226-05:00Fear, Control, and Covid 19<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkixq1BRFO5yzOVxq3M4m6UE3gAnMkByyHrjaeUhCNIJL_SJbh9ZEMQFz7TgsE-ropY6E9RNoaGGnH-GO-btXDdQbqagyo_ErQdqM6OTdS0NGpe0k8gmnGSTSD-fXXRD6wUARqzJL8Lcoo/s1600/Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkixq1BRFO5yzOVxq3M4m6UE3gAnMkByyHrjaeUhCNIJL_SJbh9ZEMQFz7TgsE-ropY6E9RNoaGGnH-GO-btXDdQbqagyo_ErQdqM6OTdS0NGpe0k8gmnGSTSD-fXXRD6wUARqzJL8Lcoo/s320/Thomas.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">What can Doubting Thomas teach us about our
emotional reaction to the covid virus situation?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But he said to them, “Unless I see in his
hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails,
and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:25</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">So what’s up with Thomas?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">I can accept that he couldn’t connect the
dots on ancient prophecy, or that he was confused by Jesus’ prediction of His
return. I get it that he was reluctant to accept the rumors of Jesus’
resurrection that must have been flying around town. But, why didn’t he believe
his fellow disciples? I mean, the disciples had actually seen Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Our biggest problem with the stuff on
social media is that we tend to notice, share, and believe the posts that tell
us what we want to hear. Confirmation bias feeds our thinking, right or wrong.
It helps us to focus on what we want to hear and ignore what doesn’t fit.
Confirmation bias also answers our emotional needs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">But would this same bias apply to Thomas?
Didn’t he want to hear that Jesus was alive?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">The answer to Thomas’ strange behavior may
find a source in Thomas’ emotions from the week before Jesus’ resurrection.
Holy week was an emotional roller coaster if there ever was one. Jesus went
from being praised as a victor to feeling the scourge of the whip on His back
in just a few days. That’s enough to give your amygdala a good case of
emotional whiplash. On Sunday, the disciples were riding on Jesus’ coattails,
and by Friday, not only had their world come crashing down, but fear was their
primary emotion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Fear of a changing world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Fear for safety.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Fear for loved ones.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Fear of loneliness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Fear that this might never end.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Sound familiar?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">There are several ways of reacting to fear.
Some of us sit in our fear and find we can do little else than seek solace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Some of us react in anger as if anger is
more comfortable to feel than fear. I see this all over social media with
people angry at politicians, experts, and guidelines. We chafe against the
rules and look for ways to make our anger justified. These rants lead us to
conspiracy theories and typically begin with the phrase: “They just want to . .
.” This thinking is dangerous because long term anger rarely sends us down the
right road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Some of us react with denial. We laugh in
the face of danger because we refuse to believe there is any. We deny the
statistics by undermining the source or countering with different statistics as
if that proves the situation is a hoax. In doing this, we build up a false
sense of security which cause us to begin rants with “I can’t believe . . .”
This thinking is dangerous because it keeps us from doing the things we need to
do for the safety of ourselves and others. It is also likely to lead to anger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">But, Thomas’ reaction to fear was one of
control, and that is the most dangerous reaction of all. He saw, all too well,
the response of the crowd to Jesus’ agony and humility at the trial. Thomas saw
the reality of the change in the situation. All of Jesus’ miracles,
enlightening sermons, and fulfillment of prophecies – none of it mattered once
the crowd started chanting, “Crucify him!” This anger is not just about the
death of Jesus. The potential was death for His disciples, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Perhaps, Thomas felt he had to take control of his
fear by taking control of the situation. It was time to reassess and find a new
way of thinking and living. Jesus was gone. The crucifixion marked the end of
three great years. It was time to move on to something less dangerous. At the
very least, he needed to control his thinking processes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">And yet, there were those ridiculous rumors
that the tomb was empty and that Mary had mistaken Jesus for a gardener. Some
people showed their belief in these rumors with joyful faces and a spring in
the step. These realities threatened his newly claimed control, and Thomas dug
in deeper. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Then there were the assertions of the disciples.
Their words were not gossip; they were eye witness accounts. Thomas’ heart must
have filled with fear as he felt his control slipping away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took control once again by demanding to
see and touch Jesus before he would relent and change his mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">I love Jesus’ reaction to Thomas. He did
not dismiss Thomas’ foolish need for proof. He did not reprimand Thomas for his
lack of faith. He came to Thomas and showed him the evidence he needed. Jesus
simultaneously restored Thomas’ standing as an eye witness and wrestled away
his need for control. Jesus prepared Thomas for the work ahead – a life that
was to be anything but safe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then he said to Thomas, </i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Put your finger here, and see
my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side</i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. Do not disbelieve, but
believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because
you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20: 27b-29</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">The words “Do not disbelieve, but believe”
are indeed as much for us as they are for Thomas. When we try to take control
of our fear, we must work at it because disbelief takes work. If we feel we
must work at our belief, we are attempting a different kind of control. Belief
comes from faith, and faith comes through the work of the Spirit. None of this
requires our control. It does, however, require that we relinquish control. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">We do not require proof of God’s love and
care because we have faith. This faith comforts even when we are afraid, or worried,
in denial, or angry. Faith is from God; it does not come from proof or our hard
work. When we are afraid, it does not mean our faith is weak. It simply means
we require God’s comfort. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">In Mark chapter 9, we hear the story of a
father in fear. He brought his child to the disciples for healing, and the
healing was unsuccessful. There was no medicine, no tests, no hospitals, and
highly trained doctors to heal his child, only Jesus. The father put his fear
under control and begged:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But if you can do anything, have compassion
on us and help us. Mark 9:22</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Jesus immediately pointed out the error in
his request:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All
things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">The father’s need for control was stronger
than his faith. His control of the situation brought him to the healer but
stopped him short of believing in Jesus’ capacity to heal. Control can keep us
calm. Control can help us to do what is right. But, control can fool us into
thinking we are in charge of the fear. In this way it pushes aside faith in order to let control reign.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Immediately the father of the child cried
out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His prayer could easily have been "I believe; take away my need to control." </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Are you experiencing fear during this time
of isolation? I am. I am afraid for my health and the health of my loved ones. I
am afraid of the implications of the economic situation. I am afraid for those
who do not have a social safety net and for those who must expose themselves to
the virus to keep us safe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">I am afraid, but I don’t want to be in
denial, I don’t want to be angry, I don’t want to be in control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">I want God’s control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Abba Father, I believe; help my unbelief.</span><br />
<br />
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-13038905513415533612020-04-03T15:12:00.000-05:002020-04-22T13:14:40.026-05:00Strength, Song, and Salvation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This verse from Psalm 118
is a quote from Moses’ victory song in Exodus 15. The Children of Israel had
just escaped what looked to be certain death when God parted the Red Sea,
allowing them to escape Pharaoh’s army.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The words
became favorite praise lifted up to a victorious God who saved His people from danger
and the oppression of slavery. A Psalm that reminded of the past while giving reassurance of the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, we celebrate Palm Sunday, a worship service that
retells the story of Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem. The people welcomed Him into
their city with songs of praise and the waving of palm branches. They praised
King Jesus as a victor, but the victory He would win on our behalf was still to
come.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet, the crowd
was mistaken. These people welcoming Jesus with song saw Him as a savior from
hunger, from grief, from oppression. They saw Him as an earthly king with an
immediate purpose to relieve them from the evil they endured. The mistake and
misunderstanding of the Jerusalem crowd became a prophecy of what God intended to
do for His people. God takes even our weaknesses and uses them to point to His
saving grace.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus’
act of Salvation was for so much more than victory over earthly concerns. Jesus’ goal was not the elimination of
temporary oppression but permanent separation, not of momentary pain but eternal
death. His death and resurrection would not be a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>victory as humans understand, but His sacrifice
was the only victory we would need.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In these
strange days of sheltering in place, we feel a different kind of oppression. We
must stop ourselves from taking advantage of the freedoms we typically know. We
must do this to promote safety for ourselves, our loved ones, and our
community. We find the need to do ministry in a very different way. All of this
difference carries with it uncertainly, weariness, and fear. We lift our
prayers to God and ask Him if the victory over this virus is ours.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God hears
our cries for help; He knows our worry and feelings of inadequacy. He is eager
to help us to do the work He sets before us, despite its unfamiliarity and our
weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cry to Him in fear living
with the strange burden of quarantine oppression, and God’s response is victory
over sin and death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span class="text Ps-118-14" id="en-ESV-15884">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my strength and my song;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-118-14">he has become my salvation.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-118-14">Psalm 118:14 </span></span></i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus is our strength.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He knows our needs better than we do. He does not give us the strength for which we ask. Instead He IS our strength. We can put all our burdens on Him and rest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus is our
song.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His love and
care for us remind us that His victory is so much more than conquering a virus.
He has conquered sin – something with a 100% fatality rate. We can sing in
every situation, because of this victory.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He is our
Salvation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the
fullness of time, He will welcome us to a home with no fear, no restrictions,
and no knowledge of social distancing. The Church will be reunited in His presence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It matters
not where we celebrate Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
victory is ours through Him. That victory is even greater than what we ask for, more
amazing than what we can imagine.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come, Lord
Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amen, amen.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-59480276573132962672020-03-24T11:11:00.001-05:002020-04-22T13:14:16.094-05:00Set the Mind on the Spirit<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFlmXN3_2napi1-K8MKjp2L-_WCGOb-gBIB8BZ40FnB2AYdmizGZ21x2A9kMngreVU-UNQ69UdUOH9p3V-9DB9NrD-apn8QI63DKKf8918-2NOI95WP0OWgwQMRHFNFkxzlSuXJ2u21tY/s1600/romans86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="798" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFlmXN3_2napi1-K8MKjp2L-_WCGOb-gBIB8BZ40FnB2AYdmizGZ21x2A9kMngreVU-UNQ69UdUOH9p3V-9DB9NrD-apn8QI63DKKf8918-2NOI95WP0OWgwQMRHFNFkxzlSuXJ2u21tY/s400/romans86.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because
emotions are such an integral part of our lives, it is easy to assume that they
are the correct response to any given situation. We think our anger is always
justified, and our anxiety is for a good reason. It rarely occurs to us that we
need to evaluate what we are feeling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The truth is
that emotions are chosen by the brain to suit a purpose. Sometimes the brain is
wrong in its choice. That the brain could be wrong should not come as a
surprise, and this happens often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Emotions are chosen in a split second as a reaction to sensory
information. Feelings do not<i> come out of</i> a situation but are <i>applied to</i> a
situation for purposes of motivation. In other words, fear draws us away from
danger, surprise draws us closer to potential learning, and disgust keeps us
from eating something dangerous.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, how I
wish I could feel a bit of disgust about sugar and less disgust about cooked
spinach. However, these are the mistakes my brain makes. Over the long term,
good choices happen just often enough to keep us alive and learning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While we cannot
edit the work of our brain and replace an unhelpful emotion
with a helpful one, we can influence what emotions our brains choose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can set
our minds. We do this by practicing the things that give us better emotions.
For instance, when we answer our anxiety by reading the Psalms, the Spirit
feeds our faith. This practice of reading God’s Word strengthens the neural
pathways that support emotions of calm and peace because we continually realize
the power, glory, and love of our Heavenly Father. When these pathways are more
robust, the brain is more likely to choose the emotions connected to them. It
is a poignant illustration of how God uses His creation, and His Spirit, to
assist those He created.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As people of
the world, we want everything we do to be about us, about our decision, about
our strength, and our desires. Fortunately, life, as a child of God, does not
work that way. Take trust, for example. The world wants us to believe that
trust is our power, and we can wield it when we need it. We are told to “have
faith and trust,” while the object of that faith is conveniently left out. Am I
better off trusting myself? Certainly not, as that kind of faith just sets me
up for failure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My faith and
trust should be in God. Yet, there is still something wrong with that
statement. Is it truly MY faith or MY trust? If it is, I am again setting
myself up for failure. I cannot be trusted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The ability
to trust comes from God. Trust has been won for us. Jesus already defeated all
enemies to our life and safety. There is nothing we can do to make that victory
any sweeter. We trust God because of God. We trust God because of what He has
done for us and what He continues to do for us. We trust God because we feel
His love, and that is the perfect emotional response.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In these
strange times of challenges we to be encouraged to trust God, because, well . .
. God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God is strong. God is steadfast. God is in control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To set the mind on the
Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Set your
mind on the Spirit, on God’s demonstration of love, on forgiveness and mercy.
Set your minds on His Word, and His Spirit will fill your heart with life and
peace.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-90803908931787528142020-03-17T15:50:00.000-05:002020-04-22T13:13:22.075-05:00Fear Boldly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“So, first of all, let me assert my
firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless,
unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert
retreat into advance.” <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_Franklin_D._Roosevelt#Inaugural_address">Franklin
D. Roosevelt, Saturday, March 4, 1933</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Fear
is a complicated emotion. While we slip into it effortlessly we struggle
to leave it behind. It is an emotion that protects us as much as it causes us
harm. We need fear to be safe, yet when we allow fear to dominate, we create a
new danger.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Fear changes our brain; it opens sensory memory and
floods the workbench, impeding learning. When the brain is in this state it
gives the body signals that heighten our awareness and make us feel nervous and
jumpy. When we are in this state, we are good at making quick life-saving decisions, but
not carefully thought out judgements. This mental state hinders our ability to trust in
God because we are focused on ourselves. Oddly enough, our fear turns our trust
in the wrong direction and fools us into thinking we can handle things on our
own.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Fear is a useful emotion that turns bad when mixed
with sin.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The
only way to tackle a mixture of fear and sin is<b> to</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fear boldly</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Oh, how abundant is
your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You and worked for
those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind! Psalm
31:19</span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">To
fear boldly</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a;"> <b>is to fear God.</b> We have seen His power and know
that God is infinitely bigger than anything we might fear. The remedy for fear
is to direct our thoughts to the One who deserves to be feared; the One who turns
fear into peace.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">You who fear the
Lord, praise Him!</span></span></i><span style="color: #0e101a;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">All you offspring of
Jacob, glorify Him,</span></span></i><span style="color: #0e101a;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">and stand in awe of
Him, all you offspring of Israel! Psalm 22:23</span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">To
fear boldly</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a;"> <b>is to praise God</b>. Read scriptures and be reminded
of all that God has done for His people. Sing your favorite hymns and let the
gospel message work its way into your heart, nudging fear out of the seat it
occupies.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Behold, the eye of
the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love,
Psalm 33:18</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">To
fear boldly</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a;"><b> is to look toward God.</b> We do not need to deny what
is causing us to fear because that is only a different kind of fear. When we
see God behind that fear, we remember God’s power, steadfast love, and mercy.
This gives us the courage to do what keeps us safe, and to refrain from
dwelling in our fear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Who is the man who
fears the Lord? Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose. Psalm
25:12</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">To
fear boldly</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a;"> <b>is to ask God</b> what He would have you do. Read
through the Psalms. Study one a day, reading it over several times. God will
work lessons into your being that will drive out fear and encourage you to
serve. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Serve the Lord with
fear,</span></span></i><span style="color: #0e101a;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">and rejoice with
trembling. Psalm 2:11</span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">To
fear boldly</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a;"><b> is to serve God</b>. Turn your heart away from fear and
toward the people God has placed in your life. Can you offer comfort? Is there
a way to provide help? When we serve others, we reduce our anxiety because our
focus is in the direction away from our fear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a;">There is no fear in
love, but perfect love casts out fear. I John 4:8a</span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">To
fear boldly</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a;"><b> is to know God’s perfect love</b>. God’s power, like His
plan for our Salvation, never fades. Fear grabs hold of us and tries to turn
our trust in God into a makeshift belief in ourselves. The truth is that we are
never able to save ourselves – not from the fears of the world and certainly
not from our sin. God is perfect love that casts out fear, casts out worry,
casts out the sin. And there is no fear found in that perfect love.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Take
the outstretched hand of your Abba Father. You are loved and protected by an
awesome God.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx">Concordia
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-9293101305876742902020-03-13T10:09:00.002-05:002020-03-13T10:17:46.161-05:00The Church and Covid 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One by one,
the local universities are moving to online classes. My husband works for one
of them, and he will still be at work, there just won’t be many students. I am
watching my conference speaking schedule dwindle, and businesses, churches, and
schools all over the country have difficult decisions to make. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Please keep
these decision-makers and leaders in your prayers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I believe it
is time for Christians to take action. I beg you to stop arguing about whether
or not covid 19 little more than a media frenzy. Instead, look around you at
the people who have already been impacted – even in ways beyond illness. Please
stop posting that covid 19 is not as fatal as other illnesses and instead say a
prayer of thanks that it is not. Move away from the abstract crowd of social
media and, instead, look toward your neighbor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you find
yourself stressed over the events surrounding this illness, take time to pray,
thank God for your blessings, ask for His protection, and ask what He would
have you do. When we focus on others, we find our purpose and anxiety
diminishes. Anxiety has no ground to stand on when we are thinking of others, and
when we see evidence of how God uses each of us to care for each other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Church
is in a unique position to serve during an event such as this. We have a
distinctive kind of fellowship, which means we gather together to worship a
shared God and to care for each other. We have a structure in place that allows
us to serve with little cost or preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are at least somewhat aware of people’s needs for their work and
family situations. We can begin to predict who could benefit from a phone call,
someone to run errands, or meals brought in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are
some situations to consider:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Check on
caregivers. This situation includes two people who are likely more susceptible
to the effects of this illness. A phone call a few times a week would provide a
brief respite for the caregiver, and an offer to run errands will give the
assurance that someone who cares knows their needs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Check on
your elderly who live alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may
have questions about what is safe. They may put off getting groceries or going
to doctor appointments in order to avoid contamination.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Check on the
types of employment people have. Those who work low wage jobs are at risk of
losing work. They often do not have sick leave and will not be able to work
from home. When people live from paycheck to paycheck, even a week off of work
can be devastating.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Churches can
support the local food pantry as these organizations will be taxed beyond
capacity.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Check on
single-parent families. They may have no options for childcare when schools
close. Perhaps some of these families can be matched with others who can
provide care.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Check on
people who work in the healthcare industry. They will likely bear the burden of
extra work. We are used to doing meals for people who are ill, but those who
work long hours to make up for shortages may need this kind of help, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Take a look
at the neighborhood of your church. How can your membership reach out and care
for those who live near? Encourage each member to check their block for people
who might need help.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each of
these actions is an opportunity to share the Gospel, with or without words. We
are being asked to isolate ourselves to reduce the spread of the virus, but we
need not isolate ourselves from caring for others. Our God is an all-powerful,
all-loving God. He has this situation in hand. Focus on Him and the work He
sets before us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We do God’s
work because of the faith He has placed in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May the grace of a God-given faith bless you
in ways you cannot imagine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, I consider my
life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the
task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of
God’s grace. Acts 20:24</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><span style="font-size: large;">Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey </span> </span></span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">by Kim Marxhausen</span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">available at <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx" target="_blank">Concordia Publishing House</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9XX9TVSF5OLI&keywords=weary+joy&qid=1568301873&s=books&sprefix=Weary%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span></span></span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-50212961670438380782020-02-18T12:37:00.000-06:002020-02-18T12:37:04.798-06:00Repaying evil with blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RZHImWUr82D_BBRdnWhxjpg3cPVXaLLOO0-YocsLTW0sgEWDgbXUcgt_Fz2YPVJzmpTec8HdFEvvYZewHfR5cujXaz4Q-Ow3RRPvAV7LVHD5yNtH8jGczi_zwbhMlR9GOUKwu13vu1YO/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RZHImWUr82D_BBRdnWhxjpg3cPVXaLLOO0-YocsLTW0sgEWDgbXUcgt_Fz2YPVJzmpTec8HdFEvvYZewHfR5cujXaz4Q-Ow3RRPvAV7LVHD5yNtH8jGczi_zwbhMlR9GOUKwu13vu1YO/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am blessed to meet with a beautiful group of
ladies weekly. I love how we can be
vulnerable with each other. I love how we can encourage and pray for each
other. I especially love how God moves us to apply our faith to our life
situations.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate
and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary,
repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
inherit a blessing. I Peter 3: 8-9</span></span></em></span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
friends and I were studying I & II Peter and spent a fair amount of time on
these two verses. It was easy to apply them to work and family situations. When
we are in the middle of a sympathetic, like-minded relationship, we feel not
only joy but comfort, safety, and security. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Likewise,
when confronted with evil or insult, we quickly realize that our sense of
security has dissipated; we instantly feel alone. For me, this kind of
situation brings on a sense of panic. I don’t necessarily panic because I
experience with evil. I panic because I don’t know how to respond with
effective emotions. I don’t know what to do. I default to the horribly
misguided notion that this is a problem for me to fix.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
panic because when I face evil actions, I lose trust in God.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
casual reading of these verses leads me to think of evil in more abstract
terms. We see evidence of evil every day in hungry children, parents struggling
to raise a family under dangerous conditions, people needlessly sick because of
lack of access to healthcare, political goals that reduce entire populations to
something less than human. We see evidence of unnatural death, violence,
oppression, and we thank God that it is not a part of our story. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
long as these things aren’t happening to me, I can trust in God.</span></span></span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
identify evil when people we love suffer, and that makes evil a little bit less
abstract. We see evil when loved ones suffer from illness, when marriages fall
apart, or when children walk away from their faith. Hopefully, these examples
of evil draw us to God in prayer and to our loved ones with the offer of care. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s
harder to trust when evil comes closer to us, but prayer and care are
comfortable answers to our need to fix things.</span></span>
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But,
how do we respond when evil attacks us personally? What if evil actions </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hurt?</span></span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> What
if we are stunned when a situation blows up when assumptions lead to gossip,
and gossip leads to retaliation with no recourse or defense? What about when
evil causes a relationship to shatter – even when you were trying hard to
develop and protect that relationship?</span></span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
this kind of evil happens, comfort and security are replaced with panic. Can
God really protect me when someone hurts me? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
sounds kinda silly when I put it that way.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
suppose it is the difference between being protected </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">from </span></span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">hurt
and being protected from the </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">impact</span></span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> of hurt. We don’t want pain in our life, and
God’s answer to the request of a pain-free life is to produce character and
growth instead. It’s a great response to evil, but not what we want. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven
genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ
is revealed. I Peter 1:6-7</span></span></em></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Really
God? Seriously? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wouldn’t it be easier to give me genuine faith
without all of the refining? Given that evil impacts relationships and
ministry, wouldn’t it be a better plan to prevent it? I mean, aren’t
relationships and ministry of primary importance here? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
simple answer is “no.” Indeed, God blesses our relationships, and He is pleased
to allow us to do ministry, but every inch of the Bible tells us that the
primary importance is Salvation. The most important relationship is His
relationship with us. The most important ministry is what Jesus did for each of
us. Salvation is the relationship that makes everything else have importance.
Genuine, refined faith is a part of what is essential because it connects us to
Salvation.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
have some serious problems with this line of thinking when evil happens to me
personally when evil causes me to hurt. And, when evil destroys a relationship
and negatively impacts my ability to do ministry. The world tells me to be
assertive and to stand up for myself. The world says we invite more abuse
unless we respond with strength. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But
we can’t fix it. Furthermore, we know it will happen again. This is the nature
of evil, is it not? This nature is the veritable description of being sinners
in a sinful world. Some of the evil we fear originates with us. What response
would make a difference to you? If people engage in the reciprocal slinging of
evil what stops the momentum? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
answer is grace. We are to respond with blessing a person in a way that they
need but do not deserve.</span></span>
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do
not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil
with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a
blessing. I Peter 3:9</span></span></em></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Grace
is behind any real change. For us, grace begins by repaying evil with blessing.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Above
all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
I Peter4:8</span></span></em></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
past week my lovely group of ladies discussed this verse. How do we love
someone who impacts our relationship with evil? How do we cover sin with love?
Is love enough to forgive sins?</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
answer, again, is grace, beautiful, undeserved, hard-to-believe grace. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
cannot fight evil, especially when we are standing in the middle of it and participating
in the process. Sometimes it is tough to forgive when we experience hurt when
relationships fall apart, and when ministry stumbles as a result. It is oh so
very hard.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But,
God asks us to bless. He asks us to love in a way that covers sin. He asks us
to trust Him that He knows what is important and what good can come out of pain
and brokenness. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">May it be true that when God helps us to respond to evil with blessing the blessing that results will belong to us, too.</span> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey </span></span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">by Kim Marxhausen</span></span></span><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><br /></span></span></i></span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">available at <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx" target="_blank">Concordia Publishing House</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9XX9TVSF5OLI&keywords=weary+joy&qid=1568301873&s=books&sprefix=Weary%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span></span></span><br />
</span><br />
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</span>
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-78521453328429343452020-01-26T16:40:00.004-06:002020-01-26T16:40:57.163-06:00National Lutheran Schools Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CXFR9cd6AU2469MOJaOBTNpTyBiexk6t6Bo4UBz2Wohf5BnSpbC8Ofc_4CT9pcOZshYpRIaOcwHGX8_z6UNnxPHmPLCtaRghsND4q02MGt_go89ksOdfHsveFF-qhR46HBBpLyHSxjvP/s1600/Banner-2020-National-Lutheran-Schools-Week.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="1280" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CXFR9cd6AU2469MOJaOBTNpTyBiexk6t6Bo4UBz2Wohf5BnSpbC8Ofc_4CT9pcOZshYpRIaOcwHGX8_z6UNnxPHmPLCtaRghsND4q02MGt_go89ksOdfHsveFF-qhR46HBBpLyHSxjvP/s640/Banner-2020-National-Lutheran-Schools-Week.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our church service
today marks the beginning of Lutheran School’s week, which was always one of my
favorite weeks when I taught kindergarten. This week meant fun clothes and
extra activities, all designed to help us celebrate the gift of Christian
education, and the church service always meant children singing. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As the school and center children gathered at the front of the church, I noticed a
young child behind me who could not be coaxed to join the crowd. In her
defense, it was a large group, but no manner of encouragement would change her
mind. I leaned back and assured her she could sing from her seat, and dad
agreed. Perhaps singing in front of a crowd wasn’t his thing either.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later in the service, I realized to my joy that this timid young
girl was singing along with our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcJfl8cGAzY">prayer liturgy</a> and later
sang, with abandon, my husband’s song of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad5vVyKzj04">Lord’s Prayer</a>, which is
a congregation favorite. No one had to nudge her; she simply joined in when she
recognized what she heard. It was as if her faith floated on the air along with
her singing. It was all I could do to stop myself from turning around and
watching. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My heart was full.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So what makes a child afraid of crowds able to sing along with
adults? What encourages her to sing during the parts of the service not
necessarily designed for her? She did not have to conjure up any courage – she
sang from her heart, from her faith. This is the blessing of a Christian
education. It produces faith in a child that leaks out in unexpected ways and
tender moments.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk
of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you
lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7</span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just last week, I found myself speaking to a mother’s
group at a sister church. Regardless of the topic I am asked to address, I
always seem to circle round to the teaching of this Deuteronomy verse. I have
found many ways of saying that teaching the faith is not a matter of quality
lessons, but a quantity of experiences. Faith lessons should be <i>diligently</i>
taught while<i> sitting, walking, preparing for bed, and rising in the morning</i>. In other words faith should show up all day and in all things. If children hear about faith in church, but not at home their brains will be less likely to pick up on the significance of this learning. If they hear about faith at home and in church but not any other place, the brain will relegate faith to those locations.</span></span><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A Lutheran education, that provides hearing, learning, practicing and sharing
faith all day, is the blessing of
Lutheran schools. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t get me wrong. I used to teach in Lutheran schools, and my
children attended them. I can assure you that rigorous academics, and the teaching and formation of
solid values are essential areas of concern. I often speak for conferences for
Lutheran teachers, and I know I have to stay up to speed on what is current to
keep up with them. But, as important as a solid academic education is, it is not the most
important thing.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I spent a few years learning how humans develop and spent many
hours in classes reviewing theory and research on cognition. As I sat in and
taught in those secular classrooms, I became even more convinced of the
importance of Christian education. You see, we do not learn outside of a
culture. Everything a child learns connects to what they see and experience in
their family. You cannot put learning into separate boxes as it all connects. God designed us to learn faith through His Word and
Sacrament and to make this learning a part of each moment of our lives. Faith
learning is about diligence, and the Holy Spirit is the definition of diligence. We do best to work within this design.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My teacher friends in Lutheran schools who will be navigating
the excitement of this week are <i>diligent</i> in the work of teaching the faith.
They go beyond teaching and show their precious students how to live it. Faith
becomes such a natural expression that the words "<i>You hear us calling, You hear us calling, Abba Father.</i>" come spilling out of the mouth of a child too afraid to sing with her peers.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today I am thankful for the many teachers who work so hard for
less pay than their public school peers. I am grateful for teachers who put in
long hours and willingly serve beyond their classroom duties. I am amazed by teachers who teach from a heart full of a God-given faith. (In addition to my Lutheran teacher friends I also thank God for my daughter and at least one former student who teach in other Christian schools.) I am especially
thankful for how they all support parents in their sacred duty to teach the faith
and to teach it <i>diligently</i>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-74272282344827768662020-01-04T10:38:00.000-06:002020-01-04T10:38:01.640-06:00Persistent Forgiveness for Persistent Hurt<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKehvWly-1J8EJyPFLtrq4fieHQb9jDSgLR0TYLj1lH1sibBavoUyiPp-tjNGJnoByKNP9XgOilVPq0XoZVdfKhpubP4yfOn2WXOKVQHwXwlQaPYANsLQjdVVpQoe2CCr0k1HehlJ33xrf/s1600/photo-1516822003754-cca485356ecb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKehvWly-1J8EJyPFLtrq4fieHQb9jDSgLR0TYLj1lH1sibBavoUyiPp-tjNGJnoByKNP9XgOilVPq0XoZVdfKhpubP4yfOn2WXOKVQHwXwlQaPYANsLQjdVVpQoe2CCr0k1HehlJ33xrf/s400/photo-1516822003754-cca485356ecb.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Forgiveness
works beautifully when the offender repents, and the one offended can set aside
hurt. This process is the critical ingredient for growth in faith, growth in
character, and growth in a relationship. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #1c1e29;">If
my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will
forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7: 14</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Through
no merit of our own, God brings healing and growth out of the process of forgiveness.
This truth is His promise, found in the comfort and glory of His mercy. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">But,
as dedicated sinners, we continually find ways to throw a wrench into the
works. It is not unusual for us to find ourselves in a situation of persistent
hurt, a situation where the change of behavior found in repentance is not
likely to happen. We have people in our lives we know will hurt us again and
again. We feel there is no hope to stop the pain and turmoil.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Forgiving
becomes a particular challenge when the person hurting does not repent. We
know the pain will come again. In such cases, the advice of the world is to withhold forgiveness.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Consider
a wayward child obsessed with his own needs and struggles. He may refrain from
repentance and continue in the actions that bring harm and hurt to himself and
his family. Should he be forgiven when there is no evidence of repentance?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">What
about that person at work who, for reasons not known, continually stabs people
in the back, making them look bad in front of others. Should she be forgiven in
light of her motives?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">What
about the spouse that is once again, unfaithful, and assumes that the
appearance of repentance is enough to earn forgiveness? Should this person be
forgiven when his promise to change is not sincere?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We
know the answers should be "yes," but our heart is reluctant.
Instead, we sit in our pain, nurse it, and soon we harden our hearts. Our
hearts reject hope, and then they reject the offender. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">The
world tells us this is a good thing to do. Social media memes tell us that
rejecting the repeat offender is healthy for the one who is hurt and offers the
opportunity to heal. Cultural wisdom says we deserve better and that if we
don't assert ourselves, we will hurt ourselves. The world says to stand up to
those who hurt you to fight back, or at least walk away from that pain. The
world says to have faith in you, in your value, in your strength.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">The
world is wrong. God is not happy to see His children cause each other pain, but
His plan for dealing with persistent hurt does not just involve the one being
hurt. He wants better for His children than brokenness. His love for us sees past our hurt
toward a plan for a better life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Then
Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him,
"I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew
18:21-22</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">When
we sit in our anger and pain, or when we cast it off by walking away, we hurt
ourselves in ways we cannot imagine. Anger and hurt are two emotions that stop
us from feeling empathy. When the offender
continues to hurt, we continue to feel anger. Gradually we lose the ability to
empathize with the person causing the pain.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">In
most situations of sin, we want to forgive, but also find a way to disciple, or
teach, the offender how to not repeat the offense. In cases of persistent hurt,
sin that is tied to emotional brokenness, and sometimes mental illness, there
is rarely hope for changing the behavior of the offender. If we lose empathy,
we do not so much walk away from pain as we walk away from the opportunity to
repair the brokenness. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We need to take
control of emotion to stop it from hurting us or damaging relationships. When
we work with someone who repeatedly hurts us, it is one of the most challenging
times to take control of our emotions. This control is hard won; found
only in repetitive action. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">So
what is God's answer to chronic hurt? It is persistent forgiveness.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">I
am not advocating for simply allowing someone to continue to hurt you. It is
healthy to protect yourself from abuse. However, forgiveness allows us to
protect ourselves without losing empathy for the one who causes pain. If we do
not understand their brokenness, we will not understand ours. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Forgive
the person who hurts you. Pray for them. Look for ways to serve them. Do not
serve to create guilt, but serve because God asks you to. In these actions,
your ability to feel empathy for this person will grow. This empathy will give
insight into their struggle as well as your own. The message your brain
receives is that forgiveness is more important than anger or hurt. That sounds
like healing to me.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Brothers,
if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore
him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6: 1-2</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">The
world says to fight back and to protect yourself. God says to restore and bear
burdens. Here we find very different techniques with very different outcomes.
The world champions one; the other is a strenuous walk of trust and faith.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Fall
into God's path to healing. </span></span></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-32687884362846800542019-12-21T09:49:00.000-06:002019-12-22T14:43:09.041-06:00Christmas Blessings<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ligatures: none;">All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:22-23</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ligatures: none;">Husband Paul remembers this particular piece of artwork as having a
long history at his house. It hangs on our wall and is a favorite of mine. It’s
more than a tiny ceramic baby on a piece of driftwood; it hints at the bigger
story of Christmas. The swaddled baby has its arms outstretched, and is
strategically placed to allow a mark on the wood to give the appearance of a
halo, perhaps even a crown of thorns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ligatures: none;">When the light is right, the baby’s arms cast a shadow envisaging the
crucifixion. This piece expresses tenderness, agony and victory, leaving our
emotional sense a bit overwhelmed. How can the helpless cry of an infant grow
into the intense unwavering desire to take on the sin of the world? These tiny
arms welcome us into the family of God in a startling message of truth and power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ligatures: none;">Babies remind us of new life and hope for a better future. Every parent
gazes at a newborn and imagines the possibilities of accomplishment, kindness,
bravery, and joy. Mary and Joseph must have gazed on Baby Jesus in the same
way, but now we know the bigger story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ligatures: none;">The cross reminds us that hope is useless unless grounded in the saving
work of Jesus. The stories of our lives on earth, while filled with all manner
of events and emotions, are not sources of hope. Our hope springs from the tiny
babe with outstretched arms who will one day carry the burden of our sin to a
different piece of wood. This is the source of our Christmas joy. This is the
story of our hope, our faith, and our Salvation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ligatures: none;">May the smaller parts of your life story continually point you toward
the bigger story of Christmas, And may the events of each day find a way to
remind you of God’s perfect love.</span></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-17962918071204759342019-11-20T13:25:00.000-06:002019-11-21T12:06:12.278-06:00Grace Never Forgets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWN6rKIRTXfZYdp40dEu5mt28CqCXYsC4KxOjle_HD-uB4qB-cLZFQGJY4qQKAjNV1jyXMIQ7X2D7vItjW_ckPjZ3J9-OhGiKOODIPlhBnJ1dNLZS9refr7lMyK7FzMGVd1K9Btnde6yg/s1600/bones-of-the-foot-infographic-em-image-credit-stephen-kelly-2019-br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1100" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWN6rKIRTXfZYdp40dEu5mt28CqCXYsC4KxOjle_HD-uB4qB-cLZFQGJY4qQKAjNV1jyXMIQ7X2D7vItjW_ckPjZ3J9-OhGiKOODIPlhBnJ1dNLZS9refr7lMyK7FzMGVd1K9Btnde6yg/s320/bones-of-the-foot-infographic-em-image-credit-stephen-kelly-2019-br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">I broke
three different bones in my foot. This is apparently becoming an annual event
as last year, I broke a bone in my ankle. This time instead of tripping on a rock I dropped a table on my foot.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">I usually get a quizzical look when I tell people that,
so I will explain it a bit better. I was doing volunteer work at church and
needed a different table than the one set up for me. I flipped the table on its
side to knock down the legs and dropped the table on my foot.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">I used to teach at the school connected with this church,
so I am quite familiar with this table and have, over the years, flipped it on
its side many times without incident. However, I am old now, and I forgot about
the weak grip in my right hand from a different injury. I could have asked for
help. I should have gotten help from the church’s administrative assistant, but
I was arrogant enough to think I could do it on my own.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Now they won’t let me move tables at church anymore.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">I am reminded of a sweet exchange with my Mother-in-law
several years ago. Here is the story in an excerpt from my book on caregiving called </span><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Weary Joy</span></i><span data-preserver-spaces="true">:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometime after her dementia diagnosis, Dorris’ sense
of balance became compromised, and her health-care professional wanted her to
use a walker. Dorris was able to walk reasonably well but she occasionally lost
her balance. When she stood up to walk, she did not feel like she needed her walker,
so trying to teach her to use it was a challenge for everyone in her care
community.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While Dorris was not successful at remembering to
use her walker, she did remember the struggle. One day, with determination in
her voice she announced, “I want my bicycle back. If I can get back to riding
my bike, maybe I can convince them I don’t need my walker.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll see what I can do,” I replied (p. 83)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">Dementia is a strange thing. It steals away your
ability to make new memories, but it doesn't necessarily impact your
determination.</span><span class="text"> I think our sin creates a kind of behavior
dementia. We so easily forget our weaknesses, but we retain our determination to fix things on our own.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"> </span>
</span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">We forget that we have sinned in the past and
that we will do it again.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">We forget that our efforts to stop sinning have
been in vain.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">We forget that it is not possible for us to
create a life that is good enough to get us into heaven.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">We forget, over and over again, that we need
Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">It seems reasonable to our puny human brains
that we can take charge of our faith life and be kind enough, well-meaning
enough,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>study scriptures enough, attend
church and partake in the Lord's supper enough to slip into heaven in spite of
our sins. We really, really want salvation to be about us.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">When salvation is about us, we have a sense of
control.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">When salvation is about us, we can afford to
judge others.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">When salvation is about us, we can check it off
of our "to do" list.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">When salvation is about us, we can feel good
about ourselves.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">But salvation is not about us. Our only
participation is our desperate, constant need for a Savior. </span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">Salvation is about Jesus. It is about a love so strong, He came to earth as a
helpless infant to meet us in our frantic need. It is about a perfectly lived
life and perfectly endured death performed in our place. Salvation is about
Jesus' resurrection and His act of love taking the place of our sin,
weaknesses, and failure. Salvation is about love.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">I do not like growing old and finding more
things that I cannot do as well as when I was younger. I don't like having to
ask for help. I don't like thinking of what is around the corner for this old
lady with osteoporosis and questionable eating and exercise habits. I don't
like any of this.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">However, when it comes to my salvation, I must
tell myself that it is good to be dependent on a God who loves me and sent His
Son to die for me. It is the only solution, and it is the best feeling ever.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text">Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.</span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-14095">I say to the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, “You are my Lord;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">I
have no good apart from you.”</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span id="en-ESV-14096"><span class="text">As for the saints in the
land, they are the excellent ones,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in
whom is all my delight.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span id="en-ESV-14097"><span class="text">The sorrows of those who
run after another god shall multiply;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">their
drink offerings of blood I will not pour out</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">or take
their names on my lips.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span id="en-ESV-14098"><span class="text">The </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> is my chosen portion and my cup;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">you
hold my lot.</span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-14099">The lines have fallen for me in pleasant
places;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">indeed,
I have a beautiful inheritance.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span id="en-ESV-14100"><span class="text">I bless the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> who gives me counsel;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in the
night also my heart instructs me.</span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-14101">I have set the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> always before me;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">because
he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text">Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">my
flesh also dwells secure.</span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-14103">For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">or
let your holy one see corruption.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text">You make known to me the path of life;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in
your presence there is fullness of joy;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">at
your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16</span></i></span></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey </span></span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">by Kim Marxhausen</span></span></span><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><br /></span></span></i></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">available at <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx" target="_blank">Concordia Publishing House</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9XX9TVSF5OLI&keywords=weary+joy&qid=1568301873&s=books&sprefix=Weary%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span></span></span><br />
</span><br />
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-22243919257515588102019-09-26T12:31:00.001-05:002019-09-26T12:31:41.111-05:00Transformation<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=648&v=3FX-0kjehAs" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=648&v=3FX-0kjehAs " border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjWojlpOWHTQRpnIsB9WfUKam_0xn6NxZNy4OomQLm3rNWe62DM0-7bazIlVEv5SW8_aDWtFJLTJkaNChiQH-9CBnd5clKuF-CAr1EJFoLoa50yJj2F9-r_8qv62iWBJ26siWksDog2Zo/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious
body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to
Himself. Philippians 3:20</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=648&v=3FX-0kjehAs" target="_blank">clip</a> had me
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melted glass. Not even the drawings made sense to me. But then I am not an
artist.</span></sup></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I watched the
glassblower gently coax small lumps of molten glass into a head and tail, the
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I look at my life,
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I can’t.</span></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But like the
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because of Him, I</span></sup></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span> am transformed by His robe of righteousness.</span></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because of Him.</span></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></sup></span><i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,<sup> </sup>are being transformed into the same image from
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">by Kim Marxhausen</span></span></span><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><br /></span></span></i></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">available at <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx" target="_blank">Concordia Publishing House</a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9XX9TVSF5OLI&keywords=weary+joy&qid=1568301873&s=books&sprefix=Weary%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></sup></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><span class="text"> </span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-72522760149472300542019-09-16T09:46:00.001-05:002019-09-16T09:50:32.620-05:00Written in Our Hearts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEXeSvoh2HYZonbfwMu_gnqNZfeOAG0-071CjCK3o9CKpWM7C7PW7LDD3oXayvDkuQblfXgx26GHR8FpezJHYFWLjLvbJPetyMNJSIxBlxFwArtyXOTOyuKg7SqeisNv1d7TnEAJ1r7VN/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1024" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEXeSvoh2HYZonbfwMu_gnqNZfeOAG0-071CjCK3o9CKpWM7C7PW7LDD3oXayvDkuQblfXgx26GHR8FpezJHYFWLjLvbJPetyMNJSIxBlxFwArtyXOTOyuKg7SqeisNv1d7TnEAJ1r7VN/s320/heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of
stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have
through Christ toward God.</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-28830">Not that we are sufficient in ourselves
to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,</span></span>
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-28831">who has made us sufficient to be ministers
of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills,
but the Spirit gives life.</span> . . Now the Lord<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-28842d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28842d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">
</sup>is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</span>
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-28843">II Corinthians 3:3-6 and 17</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1c1e29; font-size: large;">God is
God, and we are not. Our Pastor repeated this several times during our Bible
study today. Like the good teacher he is he explained the phrase, told it as
part of a story, and repeated it later in another context. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">That message should be clear; God is God, and we are not. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Yet, we also learned we are one in Christ. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">These two statements represent an interesting set of
competing ideas. On the one hand, we must stop seeing ourselves as God. We must
recognize that we cannot be children of the law because Christ is the only one
who has kept the law. We have not.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">On the other hand, because we are baptized in Christ, we
are one with Him. We wear His righteousness as if it is ours – even though we
do not earn it, it fits none-the-less. We are one with Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We must remember that any victory, power, or wisdom is of
God. We cannot claim this for ourselves because, in comparison to God, we are
nothing. We must let go of the need to control, of the need to do, of the need
to count victory. These things do not belong to us because we are not God.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Yet, we are of the Spirit, meaning the power at work in
us is not our own. God sends His Spirit to accomplish His work in us and
through us. With the Spirit, we are everything. This truth should -- ought -- <i>must</i></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> give
us the confidence to do the work set before us. It is not confidence in
ourselves. It is confidence in the Spirit written in our hearts. The Spirit
gives us life – a life that allows us to be, to do, to count victory – but to
know that victory is God’s.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We know the law is written on our hearts, but this
passage tells us that ink has been erased and replaced by the Spirit. The law
is no longer there as a contract but as a response to the freedom granted by
Salvation. We are children of grace. We are God’s, and in Him, we are
everything He wants and needs us to be.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Our ministry is God’s ministry. Our work is God’s work.
There are no rules or written direction, but there is the ever-abiding work of
the Spirit. The burden of the law has been replaced by the Spirit’s freedom to
serve. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s320/weary-joy-3D.png" width="249" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">by Kim Marxhausen</span></span></span><i><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><br /></span></span></i></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">available at <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx" target="_blank">Concordia Publishing House</a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9XX9TVSF5OLI&keywords=weary+joy&qid=1568301873&s=books&sprefix=Weary%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span></span></span></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-92148898118478693032019-09-12T10:32:00.000-05:002019-09-12T10:32:09.199-05:00The Problem with Honor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1c1e29;">This
quote is usually attributed to Tia Walker, co-author of The Inspired Caregiver.
It is a lovely quote, one to which we can all agree when taken at face value.
It has become a meme passed along on social media. Shared both by people who
are caregivers and by those who care about them.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Let me be frank; it’s not enough to care for someone by
simply sharing a meme to show you care. It is, in fact, barely more than an
empty gesture.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">It is not my intent to criticize those who post this
quote. I am all in favor of recognizing the challenges of a friend. I certainly
want to see more awareness about caregiving. I am just urging you to stop
liking these posts and then moving on to more interesting political banter or
photos of new babies, cute animal video clips while forgetting what is behind
the honor of caregiving.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">You see, most of the time we honor someone when their
work is finished. We honor the heroic acts of soldiers and first responders,
the life’s work of scientists, doctors, and artists, or the dedication of
public servants. It is well and good to honor these people because they make
our life better and safer.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">The honor of caregiving is not for <i>past</i> work; it is for
<i>present</i> grief. Caregivers grieve over what their loved one has lost, whether
that is mobility, memory, or freedom. Caregivers grieve over what they have
gained, whether that is a new responsibility, new stress, or new decisions.
This all happens out of sight and out of mind. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Given the opportunity, we would
all stand and watch in awe as a firefighter rescued an occupant from a burning
house. We share video clips of people applauding soldiers at airports. We even
honor elected officials who have worked hard for our community with our votes.
But few people want to watch caregiving.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Who wants to see someone being helped to the toilet? Who
wants to applaud the cleaning of an apartment that reeks of rotting food and
urine? Who wants to videotape a caregiver wandering with a loved one, lost in
dementia, around the purposely endless halls of a memory care center?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1c1e29;">These
are not the heroic feats we seek to document, but they are heroic none-the-less.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Right now, there are adult children caring for parents,
parents caring for adult children, spouses caring for each other, neighbors
caring for neighbors. There are also parents caring for disabled children and
children caring for disabled parents, sometimes disabled by mental illness.
These heroic acts happen everywhere and are completed by people who would love
to have a “care”-free life as long as it still involved the loved one they care
for.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10</span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">God sees these acts of honor. He sees caregivers
sacrificing to provide health and safety to another person. He notes their
stress, their weariness, and He provides them with the strength they need when
they think they cannot handle one more act of heroism.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">But this truth does not let us off the hook. For those of
us who are not living the day-to-day life of a caregiver, we have work to do,
also. We can find useful ways to honor those who care for others.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We can serve God by providing respite. Can you stay with
a loved one allowing the caregiver to practice self-care?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We can serve God by offering the work of our hands. Can
you mow a lawn, do some laundry, take care of grocery shopping, or drive to a
doctor’s appointment?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We can serve God by providing support. Can you be an
accountability partner for a caregiver and commit to regular contact for
emotional check-ups?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We can serve God by speaking up. Are there social, or
even political situations where you can speak up </span>and inform people
about the needs of caregivers?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1c1e29;">We can
serve God by praying for those who honor a loved one in their care. When
you lift someone up in daily prayer, you not only intercede for the subject of
your prayer, but you ask God to keep this person in mind so you can see and
meet occasional needs. In this way we move them from our phone into our hearts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Together we can do more than “like” a meme. We can remind
caregivers of the hope promised in scripture; the hope that is the certain
truth that God loves them enough to send Jesus as their Savior and to send the
help they need, now.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we
hope in you. Psalm 33:22</span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey </span></span></em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNryLs4VeMcobnP0RlRQ4P1HOjDKYZ9JnIY8Uv-yTEOGEox0GPjR9v_nP35skVzUG7xdP42AQy-GV2DV2xkTw7SP_I8xch4kHlSVSvtIsnlVCR4qekmSmBKfDy6KypjZLcpR8JtzB913IY/s400/weary-joy-3D.png" width="312" /></a></em></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">by Kim Marxhausen</span></span></span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><br /></span></span></em></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">available at <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32540-weary-joy-the-caregivers-journey.aspx" target="_blank">Concordia Publishing House</a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9XX9TVSF5OLI&keywords=weary+joy&qid=1568301873&s=books&sprefix=Weary%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span></span></span><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-1870995092568314602019-08-21T11:26:00.000-05:002019-08-21T11:26:53.058-05:00Rest for the Weary<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4is-zODZ9rSQ-8EzDt_dEbHpb_wG65QPnZ3sTUG0HWfY8bOb6UVdJVCLTHtjOixPgw5UU62afagQrrsfsPmiZDDN8gP4MjNJu7KOonyBoq0fM_BB_ksPW_RP1g9R0Rb5Mk1YGtQP1gfFE/s1600/1+uHzooF1EtgcKn9_XiSST4w.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="599" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4is-zODZ9rSQ-8EzDt_dEbHpb_wG65QPnZ3sTUG0HWfY8bOb6UVdJVCLTHtjOixPgw5UU62afagQrrsfsPmiZDDN8gP4MjNJu7KOonyBoq0fM_BB_ksPW_RP1g9R0Rb5Mk1YGtQP1gfFE/s400/1+uHzooF1EtgcKn9_XiSST4w.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">In the
past few weeks, I have had several conversations, both in-person and via social
media, about a dementia diagnosis. Some of these conversations are about
relatives, some about friends, all of them sobering. Because of my life
experience, I think not only about the one diagnosed, but also about the loved
ones who are looking at a long journey of care.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">It is not just a memory challenge diagnosis that creates caregivers. It could be an illness where the result will not be known until after months of treatment or a diagnosis where the outcome will not change, but the uncertainty is found in what skills will be lost and when these losses will happen. It doesn’t matter if the diagnosis is handed to a spouse, a child, a parent, or a dear friend; in that instant, both a care </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">receiver</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and a care </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">giver</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> have taken each other’s hand and begun a journey neither of them requested.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Recently, I was involved in an engaging social media discussion regarding speculation on Jesus’ voting preferences. Those participating chose wisely to avoid this issue and instead comments veered off in a different direction. I was struck by one person’s response where he asserted all of his votes spoke to a single issue. I found this a good place to drop out of the online discussion. But the idea of “single-issue” did provide much to think about on my morning walk.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Is Jesus a single-issue Savior?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">In the politics of His time, the Pharisees were indeed single-issue people. Their mission was control, and this was reflected in everything they did from counting steps on the Sabbath to their questions attempting to trick Jesus.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Jesus was undoubtedly single-issue in terms of his <i>mission</i>. He came to seek and save the lost. However, His <i>ministry</i> was not limited to a single issue. He did not return illness to the woman healed by touching the corner of His robe, telling her that her Salvation was all she needed. He did not forgive the lame man and then walk away from the man's paralysis. Nor did He do no more than reassure the widow that her dead son was in a better place. Jesus was concerned with issues of this life as well as the outcome of the next life.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28</span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Consider the promises of this verse. When we leave the burden of our sin to Jesus, He replaces it not only with forgiveness, but rest. He does not say, “Your sins are forgiven; I leave you to live the rest of your poor miserable lives." </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">He gives rest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">We may choose to ignore rest, preferring to cling to our guilt and shame, but Jesus cares how we feel when we are forgiven.</span> He cares about our current life.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Caregivers and their loved ones live with an everyday, realistic, nitty-gritty view of both this world and the next. A devastating diagnosis draws your attention to the next life. The comfort of Salvation won for you by Jesus Christ takes on a more striking meaning when conversations with doctors include the reality of death. However, while such a diagnosis makes heaven a real topic, it also involves so much that will happen here in this life. The caregiver needs rest as much from the labors of the world as from the burden of sin. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Jesus gives us rest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Jesus is not a single-issue Savior. He loves us, now, in our sin and in our failures. His Work and Word address both our sins and our weaknesses. His love for us forgives our sins, relieves our burdens, and offers us a rest that brings joy out of weariness.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">If you are a caregiver, I pray God’s blessings on your ministry. May He give you strength and rest along with the blessed assurance of Salvation.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weary-Joy-Caregivers-Kim-Marxhausen/dp/0758662009/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Weary+Joy%3A+The+Caregiver%27s+journey&qid=1566403404&s=books&sr=1-1">Weary
Joy: The Caregiver’s Journey</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUugDcvecRWxXrsFhkneJqCMztNuYsbYkxapl0OJjTHG8NqABhcpSPFUVh42OOOn2a9MVIXU1rDt2KnoxXiilbGVRRrieuGwhPnFqeUIu5axtY_yz4oUzq7X20dyzb8jWz_c_RvISu4Tx/s1600/weary-joy-3D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUugDcvecRWxXrsFhkneJqCMztNuYsbYkxapl0OJjTHG8NqABhcpSPFUVh42OOOn2a9MVIXU1rDt2KnoxXiilbGVRRrieuGwhPnFqeUIu5axtY_yz4oUzq7X20dyzb8jWz_c_RvISu4Tx/s400/weary-joy-3D.png" width="312" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-71306515803898459472019-03-22T16:07:00.000-05:002019-03-22T16:07:37.903-05:00Bitterness<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLbtGoaN-JgwoyvGTMdxtbzaYyYfaCRsZmjvAWfwev3z6O0n4hUUG6kFZ8zqcnUIOKfAxcnPNnEG0FfbC1mTG-nB5PLlJ5kVcmkTvuHZsIcYiqQWJbNn3p_92WS7yeIq17COVpAD7kEsI/s1600/Letter2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLbtGoaN-JgwoyvGTMdxtbzaYyYfaCRsZmjvAWfwev3z6O0n4hUUG6kFZ8zqcnUIOKfAxcnPNnEG0FfbC1mTG-nB5PLlJ5kVcmkTvuHZsIcYiqQWJbNn3p_92WS7yeIq17COVpAD7kEsI/s400/Letter2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">As soon as I opened the file, I could feel the
bitterness rising in me. Maybe it was the impersonal greeting [INSERT FACULTY
MEMBER’S NAME]. Perhaps it was the realization that the title of adjunct is
discouraging enough without the new adjective of “unranked.” Possibly it was
the two pages of provisions and requirements connected with a contract where
the university wants both my commitment <i>and</i> their right to offer no guarantee. </span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">It’s probably not so much about this letter as
it is about experience with a long list of universities.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="text">Low pay that can be cut in half if the
university fails to recruit enough students, or can be canceled without any
notification. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="text">Expectations of work without a contract because
of the wait for enrollment to increase, no gas allowance for out-of-town locations, no desk copy of the
textbook, no help to pay for teaching materials, and good luck finding your way
around technology. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="text">Letters that have long lists of what is expected
of me, of what I am not eligible for because I am not legitimate faculty, and
references to mysteriously absent handbooks. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="text">My slow but sure realization that excellence in
teaching is not appreciated and in one case got me in trouble because my
evaluation numbers were higher than the numbers of the person who hired me.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Yeah, I’m a bit bitter. </span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">It is not
so much about being mistreated as it is about being stuck. I am a fairly
pragmatic person who when faced with a problem immediately looks for what I can
do to make it better. But this situation can’t get better. Universities need to
squeeze out as much revenue from graduate programs as possible, and contract
instructors are a dime a dozen. If I were going to make this work, I would have
to become satisfied with doing a sloppy job so I could improve the work to pay
ratio. I would have to learn to play the game. </span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">But instead, I feel bitter. And I must confess
that sometimes bitterness feels good. Bitterness comes when I think I am purely
a victim with no accountability for my actions. Bitterness feels justified when
I think I have tried everything I can to remedy the situation and still it
persists. Bitterness tells me that it’s all about me and my pain, and my
perceived injustices. Bitterness can be as addictive as anger, or hate, or
self-pity.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">When I turn to scripture to seek a remedy for
bitterness God’s word is both clear and condemning. These verses from Ephesians
show me there is no justified bitterness.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text">And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and
anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be
kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ
forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-30 ESV</span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">It looks like the bitterness option is off the table;
likewise anger, slander, and even clamor. If I can’t spew anger, call people
names, and cry out for sympathy then there isn’t any point. Or so it would seem from what the world tells me.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">My bitterness grieves God. Jesus died for my
redemption, and my bitterness says that amazing gift is not enough. It tells God I would
prefer to model the behaviors I see on social media than live in the grace of
God’s love for me. God is not telling me I cannot be sad. He gave us emotions
to help us learn, to help us understand each other and to help us understand
ourselves. But,when I turn that sadness, or frustration into bitterness, I am no
longer looking to God for help. Not only that, but bitterness is one step away
from contempt and contempt destroys relationships. Bitterness is as unhealthy
as it is ungodly.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Instead, God asks me to be kind, tenderhearted,
and forgiving. The world tells me this is not a healthy response. I should
stand up for myself, seek confrontation, and believe in myself. If I don’t look
out for me, no one will.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text">I will search for the lost and bring back the
strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and
the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:
16 NIV</span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Here the scriptures tell me that God’s way is
not the way of the world. My bitterness can lead to no good. My reliance on God,
my realization of His love and protection, and my trust in His righteousness
will lead to all the good I need.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">I have been reading The Screwtape Letters with a
group of friends, and one idea I found in this book that was new for me was
that sometimes our misery is part of our service. It is not that God wants us
to be miserable. It is not even that we deserve to be miserable (which we do.)
It is learning how to trust God to shepherd His flock with justice -- even when we are miserable.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Bitterness is not mine any more than vengeance
is mine. My work is to eat the grass, stay close to my flock, and listen for
the Shepherd’s voice.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i>Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of Your anointed! For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a door keeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You! Psalm 84: 9-12 ESV</i> </span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
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Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879175251528363458.post-86713625363532205312019-02-08T16:40:00.000-06:002019-02-09T08:39:50.741-06:00Lessons from Ireland: Useful<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This picture is a recreation of a famous Chi Rho
from the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells housed at Trinity College in Dublin
was one of the incredible things we got to see in Ireland. It is
thought to have been created by monks in around 800AD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a labor of love to create it, and
another labor of love to preserve it from the perils of Viking attacks and the
exposure of time. These superbly crafted copies of the four Gospels tie us to a
group of fellow Christians from many years ago. We may not understand all of the symbolism but we do know is
that these Christians honored the name of Christ as we seek
to do the same in our worship and in our life.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The word of God connects us to people from an age
far older than 800AD. Scripture is how God speaks to us, and it nurtures our
faith while teaching us how to live each day in a way that honors Him.This past Sunday our pastor shared a bit of Greek with us in connection
to our Epistle reading in I Corinthians. The word he taught us was Chréstos,
translated as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kind</i> in the following
passage:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent
way.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy
gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I
deliver up my body to be burned but have not love, I gain nothing.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Love
is patient and <b>kind</b>; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it does
not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 12:31
– 13:7</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pastor Will supplies his cell number at the
beginning of the sermon encouraging us to text him. When
he explained to us that the Greek word for kind in this passage could also be
translated as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">useful</i>, it made me look
at the passage in a whole new way, and I got so excited I tried to text him.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, then it took me so long to type that I realized
I was missing other good stuff and changed my mind. Texting during sermons is
apparently for a different age demographic. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why is “love is patient and useful” so much
different than “love is patient and kind?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kind is vague. We can be kind
without any emotional commitment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kind
can be misunderstood. Sometimes when I think I am being kind, my words or
actions are not received in the way they are intended. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kind can be wimpy. It
doesn’t seem to be a characteristic that inspires strength or respect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But useful. . . That is something altogether
different. Useful has to be specific, empathetic, and strong, or the action
does not live up to the name. If I help someone by doing something useful I
have made a commitment to making their life a little bit better. If I want to
be useful, I have to think about what the other person actually needs, rather
than what I might be willing to do or say. If I am going to be useful, then I
need to make more of an investment in my actions and words.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I really like this translation of Chréstos. “Love is
patient and useful” is my new favorite verse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, what I was thinking during the sermon -- the idea
that I couldn’t text to Pastor because my thumbs type slower than my brain
thinks -- was what if we applied this to social media posts?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Christians are on social media, we have ample
opportunity to show love. However, social media does not promote the patient
side of love, nor the useful side. We too often quickly shoot off a reply or
share a meme. Even if what we post is kind, is it useful? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, what does it mean to show <i>useful</i> love on social
media? It is probably easier to start by identifying what is not useful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even when we are passionate about an issue -- even
when we are right to be passionate about an issue -- it is not useful to post
something that is derogatory, simplistic, untrue, or mean. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s derogatory if it insults – even if that insult
is deserved. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is simplistic if it discusses a complicated issue and in so doing puts everyone on the other side of the issue in the worst possible light.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is untrue if it assumes that a group (such as the far left, or the far right) is plotting to destroy all human
morals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is mean if it speaks law and does not even consider
grace. Law without grace is useless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know when I have posted things like the examples
listed I was convinced that my passion and my “rightness” would magically
persuade people to see my truth. I have come to realize that even when I am on
the moral side of the issue -- even when scripture supports my view -- my passion
is still steeped in sin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I need grace and so do my social media contacts. We
all need forgiveness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, how can our love be patient and useful? I
suspect it has to do with action. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of posting something derogatory about an
opposing candidate, I can make sure I vote and encourage others to do the same.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of posting something untrue, I can seek out
information on the other side of the issue to learn more about the people who
believe what I do not believe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of sharing a simplistic meme I can interact,
face-to-face, with people who have different convictions than me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of thinking the ends justifies my meanness, I can step away from my computer (or phone) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> something helpful, something, patient, something kind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God created preachers to help us understand His word,
but He asks all of us to obey and live His word. Our words are nothing. Our
actions, when motivated by the realization that we have been forgiven and
brought into the family of God, are useful because God makes them so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Greek word Chréstos is close to the same word
commonly used as the name for a slave. I am no longer a slave to the law. I am
a servant of Jesus and my fellow humans. It would benefit me to remember that
the chi that starts the word Chréstos connects me to the Chi Rho that is the
symbol for Christ. My words, my tweets, my posts, shared memes, and especially my actions,
all speak to my understanding of what it means to be connected to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
now, faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is
love. I Corinthians 13:13</span></i></div>
Kim Marxhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268698483800616758noreply@blogger.com0